The Wilson County Fair

Rewind 8 years ago. Marty and I were both dancing on Clog’n FX in the prime of our competition career. Every year in mid August was a competition that we all hated going to, the Wilson County Fair. It’s in small town Lebanon, Tennessee and it is exactly what it’s called a “county fair”. Complete with the smell of barnyard animals mixed with the smell of grease from everything possible being fried. This wasn’t the worst of it though; it was always about 95 degrees with 100% humidity. There were no dressing rooms, we had to change in a tent outside, not fun when you are wearing pantyhose. You ask why in the world do you go then? $$$$ They gave away big $$$$. We would endure the heat and smell every year to bring home some cash. The competition eventually went under, but the fair hasn’t.
Ok, fast forward to August 18, 2006. Where do we end up on Friday night? You guessed it, the Wilson County Fair. This time by choice. Lebanon is about 25 miles from our house so we though it would be fun to take the kids to the fair (and to reminisce a little bit) Abby was set on riding the ferris wheel. I wasn’t sure how she would do but we tried it anyway. Me, Marty, Abby and Andrew pilled into the bucket and off we go. She almost got teary eyed when we would come down because it would make a loud clanking noise, but once we told her what it was she was fine. It was Momma that got scared. We stopped at the top to let some others on and I didn’t like it at all. This was not one of those dinky ferris wheels, it was huge. We all survived and it fact had a good time.
After the ferris wheel, we watched a parade and a 12 and under talent show. Abby was VERY upset because she didn’t understand why she couldn’t get on stage and sing “When Christmas Comes to Town” from the Polar Express. Had I known that, I would have entered her. She takes after her daddy and loves to be a performer. She also rode the swings the cars and the big slide twice (an adult had to go with her on the slide, hence the reason she rode it twice. Once for me and once for Marty)
We watched a cheesy 2 act circus (which she loved) and munched on funnel cake. Abby won her and Andrew each a little moon that probably cost about 10 cents a piece, but she was pretty proud of herself. (on a side note, she makes sure Andrew sleeps with his moon every night) We ended the night with fireworks.
We have come full circle and it way more fun doing it this way. Yes, it was still about 95 degrees with 100% humidity and yes there was still the smell of barnyard animals mixed with grease. But would I do it again, in a heartbeat!