Fair Fun

Every summer I add "Ohio State Fair" to our summer

fun list....but usually by the time it rolls around, something

has come up and we're unable to go (or in the case of

last year, Rob and I couldn't make it, but my

parents were able to take Max). I realize not everyone

loves the fair.  And, I totally get that.  It's a little

stinky, usually always hot, and full of rickety

old carnival rides that you're not even sure are safe.

But, for me...I love seeing all the farm animals,

touring the agriculture buildings, and eating

delicious fair food (see: corn dogs and fried

cheese on a stick).

So, last Friday I took the day off work

to join my parents, auntie Stacy, and

Max at the fair...and it did not disappoint!

We got there pretty early and managed

to do just about everything!

 

Our first stop was the Ohio Proud tent -

and checking out the farm equipment -

combines, tractors, and bales of hay!

Next up - the Skye Glider. Max loved

riding this....and pointed out all the silly

sights below (including Mim who volunteered

to push the stroller across grounds since

they won't let you take it on the ride). It took us all

the way across fair grounds and dumped us

in the land of carnival rides.

First up (and a crowd favorite) was the giant

yellow slide! I love, love, LOVE everyone's

expressions! Truly, priceless.

I thought maybe we could get away with riding

just one or two rides...but it became clear that

we had a little thrill seeker on our hands.

His first ride was the "wacky worm" rollercoaster

with Titi and there was no looking back.

One $25 ride wristband later - we were in deep.

So, we bounced around (literally, if your Max)

all the rides for a bit....

(he maintains the bumper boats are his favorite)

 

(he also wrangled a pig at the TSC booth)

 

Finally, we were able to pull him away from the rides

to explore the agriculture building....he

was mesmorized by the baby chicks hatching,

happily put his face through every cut out,

and we managed to take the perfect family picture minus

Rob (which my mom is still probably going to

try to photoshop him into for her Christmas card). 

 

We left the agriculture building and strolled

through some animal barns and the Natural Resources

section.  Max loved the sand pit (where he could

sit and operate a little crane) - and he even managed

to catch a fish (with help from Grandpa and mommy).

I'm still shocked we were able to catch a fish (and so quick)!

We lost the first worm about three seconds after we dropped

 the line in the water...rebaited the hook and caught

a small blue gill within about thirty seconds!

The ODNR officer took it off the hook for us,

and asked if Max wanted to touch it - which he

gave a resounding, "no" too - and we agreed

to throw it back.

(love the little smirk on his face here)

 

We ate lunch in possibly the only air conditioned

building at the fair (good find Mims and Gramps)!

And then of course, Max wanted to ride a few

more rides - including the "Dragon Wagon" in

which he opted for the very front seat.

 

I honestly wasn't expecting him to be so

brave on all these rides...but he seemed

to have zero fears about riding anything!

 

The Petting Zoo was also close by - and we managed

to feed carrot chips to llamas, goats, and camels!

 

A quick stop at the Kona Ice truck...which

was delicious on such a steamy day!

The other real treat - was visiting the fair on a day

that Paw Patrol was rolling through. We saw the line

for this area from the Skye Glider in the morning...but opted

not to mention it to Max. Later in the afternoon,

the line had died down a bit...so we attempted it.

As were standing in line....it started to rain.

I tried to convince Max that we could come

back later (or not at all) - but he was not swayed.

So, we waited.  More accurately - I waited and Mims

and Max checked out the "Control Tower".

They had moved the character meet and greet indoors...

but the bulk of the waiting was done in the pouring rain.

But....it was worth it to get this picture of

Max and Rubble :)

(Please note: he's still leary of costumed characters....

but agreed that Mims could hold him in this case)

 

All and all - we packed it in - from the rides....

to the animals...to the food (including the candy warehouse)...

but I wouldn't have it any other way!

xoxo