Is There Really Magic In The Fair?

Unless you’ve been living in a hole, you know that the Erie County Fair is taking place (or America’s Fair, whatever). I’ve been to the fair a zillion times in my life, and I even worked at it for years when I was a kid. I was obsessed with it and, this is a little embarrassing, but I used to cry when it left town. (I’m hoping I was crying because the fair leaving signaled the end of summer. )

Anyway, now that I’m an adult with no children, I can’t help but think what’s so great about the Fair? I’m told by my yuppie friends that it’s just a place where white trash gathers to participate in trashy events like pig wrestling and whatnot. Now, me being on the trashy side can appreciate the trashy things in life. I’ve attended the demolition derby…more than once. I’ve rode the Ring of Fire more times than I can remember and I’ve eaten my fair share of gyros. But still, I can’t seem to put my finger on what keeps pulling me back year after year.

It certainly isn’t the cleanliness or the live animal auction (don’t even get me started on that one). Maybe their tagline is right: there’s magic in the Fair. Because no matter what, it sucks me back every August, even though it’s the same crap every time.

Here’s hoping I didn’t miss the tractor pull.