Pigs in the Mud!

Tuesday, 25 August 2009

Indiana State Fair. One of my fondest memories growing up. It was typically our vacation and I think it all came rushing back to me when I walked into the pig barn this year, and took my first smells of my past....to us, State Fair was always about keeping your pigs cool, having a really cute show outfit, and getting run the grounds for the few days before it actually started. As the years progressed, I've spent my fair share of all 12 days working the State Fair from FFA to the summer I interned with Clear Channel to full time jobs after college. This year, I only had to work three, and I was lucky to spend my last shift on a daddy/daughter date. Dad's as much of a freak about the fairs as I am (which is likely where I get it), so he said he'd ride along with me, and after I got done working my five hour shift, we'd walk around some more. I warned him that he'd be on his own for 4-5 hours, and he was totally cool with it, he didn't even bat an eye. He walked around and enjoyed fair, and after my shift, he picked me up for a couple more glasses of Tomato juice (he had probably had 4 before that!) and one more stroll around the fair.
Through all the things that have changed over the years, the one thing I've never tried are the novelty food items. We stick to the norm...pork producers/cattleman's club, etc....we don't often visit the vendors along the main street. But this year, Dad and I decided to be rebels, and so, we spent a whopping $5 for 6 pieces of microwave bacon, dipped in milk chocolate, and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Actually, it wasn't bad, but I think the pure sticker shock, made it not nearly as good as it could have been. Talk about an enterprise....with a little bit of publicity, they're making a killing on bacon, chocolate and powdered sugar, all while contributing their time and efforts to the obesity problem in America.

Well, now we can say we've had pigs in the mud, and after our little treat, we both sighed and sigh of relief when we walked into the swine barn, took one big breath of "fresh" air, and said...."Now, this is what State Fair is all about"...