Fair: FUNtastic

 

The story about the Shorthorn steer getting loose, racing down a hillside and swimming in the Pend Oreille River lives on.

Twas a McNall steer, and the great escape from show-halter responsibilities took place at the "old" Bonner County Fairgrounds. 

It took a couple of men in a boat to round up the critter.

Like many stories of yesteryear at the fair, this one will probably continue to be told for generations.

I'm pretty sure that this year marks 50 years at the "new" fairgrounds, and I'll bet there will be a story or two of happenings in 2022, which will, with time, turn into classics. 

I've already heard from fair office administrative assistant Maranda Montgomery about the "lost child," which involved two hours of worry on the part of a family. 

More than likely the child was unaware of being lost, but that doesn't make such situations any less worrisome. 

I can remember a guy who's now in his 60s who was proclaimed "lost" during a fair at the old grounds, maybe even more than once. 

He was probably in his glory at the time, but his absence in the eyes of his parents caused enough of a stir that old people like me still remember. 

Families definitely play a huge role in the history of the fair.  

Moms get stressed.  Dads step in when needed.  Grandparents watch with pride, and kids do their best at whatever they're supposed to do at the fair. 

From that mix come traditions and more than enough lore to perpetuate the institution we all call "the fair." 

Whether it's feeding on an elephant ear, splashing in a blow-up waterfall, competing, watching, beaming from ear to ear, selling parking passes, preparing for the next class, promoting, educating or just hanging out,  the fair generally brings out the best of times.

And, depending on the circumstances, those moments will be remembered for a long, long time----maybe even when folks are standing around reminiscing at yet another "new" fairgrounds.

The fair is perennial.

And, that is good.