Some people call the Oxford Fair “their” fair, others consider the Fryeburg Fair as their own.
For me, it’s the Franklin County Fair, better known as the Farmington Fair.
This year’s event is even more special because I entered a photo of my wonderful gander, Finny, in the pet category. This was my first time competing in a photography contest. Over the years, I have entered fresh tomatoes and herbs, along with the best of my jams, jellies, pickles and canned vegetables, and I always win something. The special feeling coming from winning is certainly not the dollar or two I receive for my entries, but the sheer fun of seeing a blue, red or yellow ribbon draped over my jams or bright red tomatoes.
But this time, I was overjoyed and more than thrilled when I looked at the photo of my dappled-gray Finny against a backdrop of spring green ferns among the two dozen or so other pet photos and there was a yellow ribbon!
A pet dog won blue, and a pet kitty won red. But that yellow ribbon means so much to me. I immediately called my husband to tell him of the event.
The Farmington Fair over the years has changed for me.
I remember well when, as a 2-year-old, my mother bundled me up in mittens, boots and a warm winter jacket for my first venture into all the lights and sounds of the fair.
Over the years, as I became a teenager, we spent most days after school walking down the midway among the games of chance or the many daring rides. My favorite and the most frightening was the Bullet. It’s no longer there, but the screams are still etched in my mind.
Now, as an older adult, I focus on what an agricultural fair is all about — the lowing cattle, friendly goats, fuzzy sheep and, above all, the wonderful agricultural exhibits in the Exhibition Hall.
On opening day Sept. 15, I made a beeline into the hall to marvel at all the bright red tomatoes, yellow corn, neat canned goods and the multitude of other fresh and canned produce, as well as to check out how my entries did.
I studied the Grange exhibits, looked at the competing vegetables, and found so many people to chat with, some of whom I haven’t seen since last year’s fair.
Over the past 60 years, I’ve missed very few fairs, largely because I was living out-of-state.
Coming to the fair is like coming home. Sure, things have changed; there’s more of an emphasis on history, demonstrations and musical entertainment. But remaining the same are the animals and the vegetables.
Photography was added just a few years ago. This competition has drawn many photographers into the contest. For me and my wonderful gander, this competition now rates really high on my list of favorite things at the fair.
And who better to receive a ribbon than Finny?
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