There’s a chill in the air.
Okay, not really, but the last couple of weeks have definitely been easier to get through than our mostly triple digit July.
People have been comparing their utility bills and everyone I talked to saw major increases … not surprising considering I don’t think anyone turned the air conditioner off at any time during the month.
August has been better, even though we likely aren’t quite through with the hot weather yet.
Back home in upstate New York, August – which was still summer vacation – was always the time for the county fair. Like many, it was something I was involved with when I was a kid, entering items as part of my 4-H group. It was always fun to see if any of your entries got a ribbon; any color was exciting and I did win a couple through the years. The 4-H group I was in didn’t do the animal projects, we were more of a cooking-clothing club and my go-to was the cooking. Actually, baking, and my ribbons came primarily in that area, for cakes and cookies. I still like to send my dad homemade cookies on occasion. He’s due for another batch soon.
It’s interesting how your perception of the county fair changes. When I was in grade school, it was all about the projects and doing your best in hopes of winning over the judges. Junior high was more about earning money by doing chores around the house and for the neighbors to meet up with friends and spend the day on the rides, eating fair food and playing games. High school it was usually the grandstand shows featuring musical talents of the day and the demolition derby that were the most fun.
When I went to work for radio station WSCM in Cobleskill and then transitioned to the local Times-Journal newspaper, we had non-stop coverage and I saw the fair in a totally different light. For the radio, I did on the scene interviews with some people that were responsible for coordinating all those 4-H and community exhibits, got the chance to meet and greet some of the headline performers, and did some live remote broadcasts from the fairgrounds. One of the fun parts was meeting the people who tuned in to the station on a regular basis to hear you; people generally thought I was taller. Not sure how you sound tall but apparently my radio voice was bigger than my five-foot-and-a-little height.
Plus, it was usually the morning DJ, Homer, and I that did the remote broadcast together, as I was the morning newsperson and we would head to the fairgrounds after our morning shift was done. Homer stood well over six feet tall; quite a contrast between the two of us.
When I joined the staff at the newspaper, then it was viewing the fair through the lens of my camera. Focusing on all the little things that made the Sunshine Fair special. I loved capturing the moments; the kids on the midway rides, the competitors in the 4-H gymkhana, the performers on stage. County fairs are a slice of Americana and a place where memories are made.
Ironically, with summer weather in the northeast often including thunderstorms, the ‘Sunshine’ Fair typically had as many rainy days as sunny days during its August run. Everyone was used to it; it’s just part of what made it memorable.
Marg Jackson is editor of The Oakdale Leader, The Escalon Times and The Riverbank News. She may be reached at mjackson@oakdaleleader.com or by calling 209-847-3021.
