Fair Enough
Four-H families seem to have a love-hate relationship with their county fair. The love usually occurs prior to fair week and lasts for the first few days of the fair's run. But about midway through fair week, that's when people start to have other feelings.
None of this can be blamed on the fair itself. These emotions usually have more to do with one's ability—or inability—to adapt to a demanding schedule.
People tend to have a romantic view of their county fair. Young 4-H'ers, in particular, can become a bit dreamy as they anticipate a week filled with blue ribbons, elephant ears and hanging out with friends. Parents should know better but sometimes fall into this overly optimistic line of thinking. It's better to have low expectations. If your child does win a blue ribbon, or better, you can experience true joy.
I have concluded that the urgency of show day is the juice that makes fairs irresistible. After a summer of preparations, 4-H'ers now must be ready to show at a moment's notice. They must have their livestock in "show ready" condition, and they must perform when the show arena opens for them. Moms and dads work behind the scenes to make all this happen.
As fair week starts to wind down, that rigor starts to wear on families. Yes, the county fair lasts just one week, more or less, but hard days and sleepless nights catch up with a person. It makes you wish you were back in your normal routine.
Farm families thrive on routines, and they become slightly irritated when they have to live on a different schedule. A few columns back, I shared about my father always having 16 jobs on his rolling list of things to do at the farm. When fair week came, that list grew longer. Every farmer knows that a farm needs constant attention and maintenance. My parents were happy to support me and my siblings in 4-H, but even before fair week was over, they were ready to move on.
All this intolerance for sleepless nights and chaos is forgotten by the time next summer rolls around. When the county fair approaches for yet another run, 4-H'ers and their parents become dreamy again. I think this speaks to the enduring quality of county fairs. All the inconveniences, chaos and rigor do have a positive purpose: They help make us better people.