OFF FOR A DAY AT THE COUNTY FAIR

An annual trip we make every year is to the DeKalb County Fair, AKA Sandwich Fair. For a bit of back round, this Fair was started in 1888 and this years marked the 120th year the fair was held. It is the oldest continuing County Fair in IL and one of the most attended every year. I know of a few people who have been going every year for the last 60 years (if not longer) ! Talk about tradition. People travel from points far and wide to come. Many have moved to other areas but come back to go. Myself, I've been going every year for the last 13 years. We go to celebrate my youngest kids birthday. (She loves the fact she doesn't have to go to school that day!) So without further ado ... The Fair ~

Farm equipment is big, both in size (note the trucks) and interest. Farmers have 100's of thousands of $ tied up in machines that are used probably 2 to 3 weeks a year.

Cattle washing and grooming station. Here the livestock are all cleaned up before a showing. Local kids raise these just for the fair and belong to FFA (Future Farmers of America)

Can't forget about the Fair entertainment. Mostly local and usually having something to do with Farm Reports.

The Crew. Can't go without eating all the favorites. And no, that's not a Corn Dog there. See next photo for the menu board.

Yep, your reading that right. Alligator on a stick. And FYI it does taste just like chicken. This is definitely one place we visit every time we go. Unfortunately the vendor only has it during the fair.

It rained on and off all day, with several hard downpours. The kids all enjoyed it, while adults ran to cover. Everyone took it in stride though.

The sun always came back out, so the day continued.

Took a closer look at some of the livestock.

This Piggy was having a good time while being sprayed down. Can't be covered in mud when the judges show up LOL

And what's a Fair without the rides. I don't go anymore, stomach can't take that. But the kid went. Over and over and over.

Of course they always have lots of games to play too. We always play 'The Mouse Game'. You put a Quarter on a series of 3 numbers and hope that when they release the mouse it runs into one of your numbers. Kinda fun and easier on the pocketbook then the $2 to $3 games there. I came home with this guy.

If you look very closely you can faintly see the second rainbow above the first one.
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And since I didn't know how my crude attempt at picture taking in order to get a good panoramic view would work out, I did a short vid of it. Corny, I know

A Double Rainbow to end the day.

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I hope you enjoy this trip to the County Fair as much as we did when we went, despite the rain.

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Looking forward to our next 'trip'

SAFE TRAVELS EVERYONE