Skip to main content

The State Fair....Really?

I have fond memories of the Alabama State Fair.  I used to love to go as a kid.  However, I haven't been in many years.  My children didn't have the opportunity to experience going to the the fair because it became too dangerous to take them. Then, Birmingham just stopped having it altogether.  A few years ago, the Verizon Center (formerly known as Oak Mountain Amphitheater) decided to take on the task as host.  We decided to take the boys this weekend, Sunday in fact.  I was very disappointed to say the least.  It was very small, more like a TG&Y parking lot carnival than a State Fair.

Where were the booths and tents that housed the side shows, you know like the bearded lady, the fat woman and the turtle boy?  Where was the man who swallowed swords and fire?  Where were the prized cows, hogs, pigs, quilts and pies?  Where was the World Famous BBQ?  Where was the man on stilts walking through the crowd?  Where were the popular DJs handing out bumper stickers?  And the food?  What happened to the miles of endless grease stands?  Sure, there were a few, but there weren't as many as before and the greasy offerings were minimal.  The carnies working their booths didn't even try to tempt me with guessing my weight!  And what is up with "everyone wins a prize"?  No they don't!!!  You SHOULD have to exhibit your special skills to shoot the eyes out of ducks from 100 paces with warped BBs to win a prize!  But to give you one just because you showed up...pure blasphemy!!  Where is the fun in that??!!  Not to mention you ruin the carnie reputation of ripping people off when you give them things!!  I would have thought that no self-respecting fair goer would even think of taking a free prize, but alas, I was wrong.  There were many walking around with their inflatable arrows and guitars.

Needless to say, we won't be returning to any "fair" held in Birmingham.  I suppose I will just clutch my memories of the past tightly and stare blindly at the inflatable guitar tacked to the wall!

Best thing at the fair:  Photo ops.  Worst thing:  Hampster balls.

I'm just sayin',

Comments

Christie Huff said…
BBAAHHAAA. Glad I didn't go. I wanted to! Thanks for saving me money! ha.
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 10:54:00 AM
Benita Roberts said…
You are very welcome! :-) It was most disappointing. Edward is still upset that we didn't see monkeys riding dogs, as advertised! I looked for the PETA people since they were racing pigs, goats and ducks wearing helmets!!
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 1:56:00 PM
Anonymous said…
Come back to Texas and see what a state fair is meant to be. It is so nice they give the school kids a day off to go. Corn dogs and fatted cattle, pure heaven. - bigjimsmith
Tuesday, September 07, 2010 9:02:00 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Can you be a mom, a Christian AND a porn star?

While driving into work this morning, the radio station to which I frequently listen, held a discussion on whether or not a porn star could be a good mom. Some of the morning crew felt that you could not be a good mom, as you get caught up in a pornography lifestyle, which in turn, affects all other areas of your life. Some of the others felt you could participate in pornographic activities and be a good mom. A girl called in who stated that she was 24 years old, had 4 children and had recently become an internet “porn star” and had plans to broaden her horizons (to DVDs I suppose). She said she was a Christian and felt she was a good mom. I was a bit dumbfounded to say the least. I believe God is clear in His Word about being involved in promiscuous and sexual acts outside of marriage and what the consequences of those actions will be. When we become Christians, we set aside our old ways and conform to a new way of life. I do realize there are slips and times that we must ask for forg...
9 comments
Read more

The Future of Farm Town

If you are an active member of Facebook, you are more than likely familiar with, on an intimate basis, a game called Farm Town. Farm Town is a virtual farm. You plow your land, plant your crops and reap the rewards (coins) of selling those crops at harvest time. You even have the ability to "prostitute" yourself in the village market by offering to harvest other farmers' crops. You can sell your farm for larger farms, purchase silos, waterwells, logs, barrels, pigs, chickens, roosters, goats....you get the picture. You beg your "farming" friends to send you gifts of animals and trees so that you will not have to make these expensive purchases yourself. After all, you are saving your coins so that you can buy that farming mansion and pond you've been lusting after on the neighboring farm. However, the future of Farm Town may be compromised. My son called earlier to let me know Facebook had a new virtual farm game called Farm Ville. He's at level ...
10 comments
Read more

The Truth About Homemade Gravy

I enjoy cooking. While my own palate is not varied, (I’m a meat, potatoes and M&M’s kind of girl) I do enjoy preparing a variety of foods for my family. Whenever possible, and time permitting, I like to make things “from scratch” as opposed to opening up a mix of some sort. Stop laughing -- it’s true! Recently, my husband and I endeavored to prepare our own “from scratch” biscuits and gravy. Some of you may think this is the easiest and most natural thing in the world; however, homemade gravy has always intimidated me. I’ve never been able to get it right and always ended up with a blob of something that even the hungriest of dogs wouldn’t ingest. One morning, while preparing our homemade biscuits (a recipe we have now perfected), my husband suggested that we make our own gravy. WHAT??...Homemade gravy??...No way!! I immediately broke out in a sweat. I admitted to him that I had never been successful in preparing an edible gravy mixture. He insisted it couldn’t be that difficult an...
7 comments
Read more