“Are you having a good Fair?” is a common question when you attend the Oregon Country Fair. This question sounds like such an odd construction to me, but it really captures the spirit of the Fair, which is that it is its own entity, a strange and vague collection of experiences and images.
The Brazilian percussion ensemble Samba Ja played just outside the Fair gates while stilt dancers did their thing – a great introduction to the Fair for my offspring.
I swore off the Fair a few years ago, after trying twice to enjoy it. The first time, I felt like the Fair was a hotter and dustier Saturday Market; and all I remember is sitting in a queue for the bus trying desperately to quell my raging headache. Then, I brought Sylvan when he was just mobile enough to be frustrated being in a backpack all day. That made me frustrated all day.
But, at 3 and 6, my kids are now the perfect ages to check out the Fair, marvel at the costumes while wearing their own, and enjoy the shows aimed at kids.
It was shows like Fae Diddle Diddle that made our first four hours at the Fair close to perfect. These faeries were hilarious and adorable.
By three days before the Fair, both kids had chosen their costumes and laid them out in their bedrooms.
Balloon caterpillar from the faeries. Kids dodging photos with Mom – does that really start this young?
While we listened to Laura Kemp, one of my favorite singers, period, the woman behind me asked to use my camera to take our photo. She said Elena's face was so beautiful as she looked up at me while I painted.
Silly pirates made my kids giggle
Miss E spent 45 minutes glittering the paper that, with help, she made into a windsock. After 20 minutes, I took Mr. S and a friend to get sno-cones. Elena had plenty of glittering left in her, unbeknownst to me. The man who ran the booth told me how much he'd enjoyed her focus.
Just makin' some ice for my sno-cone, Ma!
Dancing her way to the car, the little barefoot princess
There was some poor behavior thrown in there, too; but it didn’t overshadow a super day spent at the Fair. Thank you, Fair!
I am sooooooooooo jealous!!!!! I love the Oregon fair!