HOT PURSUIT

I know I’ve said it before in this space, but it bears repeating. I love the fair. Always have, always will.

Even though I didn’t grow up in Steele County, the fair was always an integral part of my life as a child in central Minnesota. My home fair is McLeod County. It always offered me the best time of my summer.

As we head into another Steele County Fair this week, I can’t help but think of all the wonderful memories fairs have generated in my lifetime. Some maybe weren’t the greatest, at least at the time, but most were beyond supreme. No matter what they ended up being, they still hold a special spot in my heart.

One of my most dreadful moments at the fair came when I was a youngster of 7 or 8 years old showing my pig in the judging arena. This particular pig had a mind of his own and wanted nothing to do with showing, even though I had worked with him all summer in preparation for the show. He burrowed his snout into the wooden bleachers, pushed under the bleachers, sent the spectators scrambling for cover and reduced me to tears. I was heartbroken.

As I look back on that experience, it provided me with an important life lesson that life doesn’t always go your way even with the best intentions. It also showed me how to be resilient and forge ahead to handle life’s challenges.

Another distressing and crushing moment came one year when I was getting my cookies or cupcakes ready to show in the 4-H Building. I remember sitting on the edge of the car seat with yummy treats balanced on my lap. Well, you can probably imagine what happened next. I lost my balance; they tipped and went flying in places I didn’t want them to.

Another life lesson of learning how to bounce back quickly after a hard time. And, yes, I was in tears again.

There were also the times of separation anxiety. I remember becoming extremely sad by the end of the fair knowing my prized pig would be heading off to the market. I still recall cuddling and laying on top of one particular animal wishing I could keep him forever.

But those terrorizing and daunting moments were limited, thank God. Most of my experiences were memorable in a good way, especially those when I won purple grand champion ribbons. There were many of those over the years. And with it, many trips to the Minnesota State Fair.

One thing that strikes me the most about all my experiences is how the 4-H program prepares you for a lifetime of challenges in many ways. I have developed so many life skills because of 4-H and my involvement with the fair. From communication skills to photography and dealing with people, 4-H has enriched my life beyond my wildest dreams. The fairs were always the icing on the cake.

I gained my love attraction to the fair from my late father, who volunteered for more than 65 years at the fair, mostly in the livestock area, before his death. One of the greatest memories was in his last year of the fair when he got to ride on top of the wagon of the Budweiser Hitch. A photo of him waving hangs dearly in my mother’s family room and provides her with an emotional bond as if dad was still around. The news clipping marking the occasion from the local newspaper still hangs on my refrigerator. (Isn’t local journalism wonderful?)

I’m off to the fair and in hot pursuit of some great fair memories once again. Enjoy the fair!