Clare's Dad

I’m not a big fan of fairs.  I could go all year without seeing (and smelling) livestock and prize-winning vegetables.  I don’t really care who in New England sewed the prettiest quilt or bottled the best preserves.  But, at least once or twice each fall, Clare and Clare’s Mom pull me along to a fair.

Today, Clare had a day off from school (for teacher meetings which probably could have been held three weeks ago before school started).  Taking advantage of a beautiful summer’s end day, we headed to Massachusetts for the mother of all New England fairs.  It’s called the The Big E which stands for the Eastern States Exposition.  But, because no Eastern states outside of New England are invited, the E might stand for exclusive or elitist.  I hear some of us East coasters have that reputation.

I wasn’t dragged to the fair completely against my will though.  I’m a fan of the rides and the food.  Especially the food.  We’ve got the usual fair fare of popcorn, fried dough, candy apples, and greasy burgers and dogs.  But, this being New England, we’ve also got lobster, clamcakes, chowders, maple sugar candy, Vermont cheeses, and apple and blueberry pie.  Not to mention the Ben and Jerry’s ice cream and Sam Adams beer as well as other local desserts and brews.  Yeah, the food kind of makes going to the fair worth it all.

So what are you and yours doing this last weekend of summer?