The past two weeks have been largely spent in preparation for and at the Allegan County Fair. We began the Wednesday before the fair opened by bringing Ezri's exhibit box down for check-in. Thursday, Ezri spent a little more time working with and hanging out with Barb before we had to bring him down that evening to check-in for his week long stay at the fair.
We got Barb all tucked in with a board for him to sit on as his hocks could have become sore from sitting on wire for so long when he does not normally do so.
Ezri seemed happy with his accommodations and Barb began checking out his neighbors. I was afraid it might be a hard night for Ezri, but I was surprised that there were no tears as she said goodbye.
It was not until Sunday that we were able to return to the fair. Our first stop was, of course, to see Barb.
After a few minutes with Barb, we headed off to find some lunch and check out the fair
One of our stops was at the "Farmer for a Day" exhibit, where the kids got to dig for potatoes,
Milk the cow,
Pick and eat apples,
Find eggs,
And play with a farm.
Elam was happy to watch the goings on from Mommy's arms.
We also made a stop to see the largest pumpkin at the fair,
And to look at a display that had been put together about my extended family. It was so fun to look at all of the pictures, old fair ribbons and plaques and read the stories written about my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
I was represented in the display with my old 4H pins, an article about being a finalist as a Young Homemaker, and with the names and pictures of my family and children.
Ezri was thrilled to find a picture of herself from last year's fair with Barb!
We also had to stop and check out Ezri's Cloverbud Box exhibit.
This year at the fair, the Rhinestone Roper show was free to watch. We sat down in the front row early so we could have good seats. We were not disappointed! During the show, there were horse tricks,
and roping tricks.
Ezri was chosen as a volunteer and learned to spin a rope!
We also watched him spin guns and heard him talk about gun safety.
He did more tricks with his horse,
including spinning a rope around himself and the horse!
And then the finale had a girl spinning while knives were thrown and ended with her shooting balloons while spinning.
We were all very impressed! The kids each took a picture on the spinning board with the cowboy and his daughter.
We gave in and bought the girls a special rope made for easy spinning - it worked great as leash while we walked through the fair!
Monday was the big day for Ezri and Barb. We arrived at the fair a few hours before the rabbit show so Ezri and Barb could practice. While they were practicing, a photographer from the Holland Sentinel snapped some pictures and they ended up in an article! You can read it here.
While Ezri and Barb practiced, Daddy, Alora and Tierney went to check out the tractors.
When it was about time for the show, Ezri got changed in to her newly attained bunny shirt and show jacket. She was so excited!
A few more minutes of waiting with her friends Travis and Emmett, who had come to watch her show...
And then it was time!
This year, we had a wonderful judge who was so very kind and patient with the Cloverbuds, walking them through areas they needed help, giving them suggestions and just guiding.
Ezri did a great job on her own, and mostly just needed help with Barb when it was time to flip him over.
A very proud moment for this Mommy and Daddy, our little girl is such a hard worker with her 4H projects and so proud to be a part of it.
During Ezri's part of the show, we were all excitedly watching - well, maybe not Elam...
And when her table was done, Ezri was greeted with a bouquet of flowers from her friends!
She was just thrilled!
Monday evening was the fair parade. This year, Mommy got to be in it! As a finalist in the Young Homemaker contest, I got to ride on the float with the current homemaker and the other contestants and throw candy. I saved a whole lot of my candy til I made it to my people, and then I flooded them!
Tuesday, we headed to the fair early again. This time, it was for the rides!
Mommy even got to do one ride with the kids because Tierney was a bit too short to go without an adult. The spinning and the giggling that came from that apple...!
Tierney reached a point that she was done with rides, and then she was happy to just ride on Tony's shoulders and watch the other kids.
Elam didn't get to do any rides this year, but he was enamored with all of the lights, sounds and motion.
Later that evening, we headed to the grandstand to watch the Off Road Derby - what fun!
Between races, the staff threw toys and each of our children caught something.
As the night wore on, the kids started to get a bit tired...
But we all enjoyed ourselves!
Wednesday morning came fast as we had to get up early and be back at the fair at 8:30 for the Ladies' Day program and the crowning of the Young Homemaker. Mommy's nerves were a little frazzled...
I sure felt special having my people there to cheer me on, though! Alex, Ezri, Alora, Tierney, Elam, my Grandma, Mom and friends Kathy and Becci filled out my reserved section, by far the biggest group there to support a homemaker contestant.
I even got flowers to wear!
As I was called on stage to await the awarding of the winner, I looked out at my people and what I saw made me teary eyed...
My people holding a We Love You Mom sign!
I was awarded second place. Though of course I would have liked to win the crown, I was still honored to have been a finalist and a part of the contest.
Maybe next year...
After the Ladies' Day program was over, the finalists and their families were invited to a lunch. Following that, it was back to reality, with a bit of fun tossed in...
Kathy, the kids and I spent a little more time wandering the fair. We had to stop and see Barb, of course. And then we played in the village,
the kids went to the school,
And we found some goodies to eat before heading home to rest.
After a couple of days home to catch up on work, housework, school and such, we were back to the fair on Saturday afternoon for the Demolition Derby.
It was much warmer, so being packed into the bleachers instead of the box seats we'd had on Tuesday night was uncomfortable for a while. The derby went on for nearly 4 hours! Needless to say, kids were tired and antsy, adults were trying to keep peace and everyone was ready for it to be done.
At 10:30 that night, we finally left the grandstand and went to the rabbit barn to see Barb, this time to bring him home! The last night of the fair, we could finally check him back out and return him to his palace in our house. Ezri was so excited! It was nearly midnight before we made it home and boy are we all tired today! It was busy and chaotic, but what an exciting and fun week at the fair!
