The first time I visited the Durham Fair I was a brand new Connecticut resident and college student. It was also my first experience with large agricultural fairs. Love at first sight for me…… the food! The animals! The rides! Crafts! Games! The Commercial tent! Live Music Entertainment!..and we’re talking some of the greats… Loretta Lynn, 38 Special, Charlie Daniels, REO Speedwagon… KC and the Sunshine Bank, remember them?
A really cool fact – Established in 1916, it’s one of the largest in New England and is still run entirely by a volunteer staff without paid management or employees. Amazing.
As a young person the Durham Fair was exciting for it’s pick-up potential.. so many young folks hyped on the night time vibe at the fairgrounds. The bright lights of the rides, the crowd energy and the fantastic food smells were intoxicating. Those who were not already coupled and engaged in playing the games that might win their sweetheart a big stuffed animal were strutting and preening and showing off or standing together peering shyly all around, hoping to be noticed. Those were nights of excitement and potential. That was the “Spring” Fair season of my life.
I entered the Summer fair season when I began bringing my small children along. Oh, how their eyes lit up as the bright lights came into view.. especially that big beautiful ferris wheel that inspired both terror and delight. The Food! The Animals! The Rides! The Games! Those big stuffed animals that Daddy might win (or buy after 78 tries for ten times the actual cost of the thing). Maneuvering a stroller and young children through those crowds was a new challenge, but oh so worthy of the awe.
The Summer fair season started waining when my kids each turned 14 and wanted to go to the fair without the ‘rents. WHAT???…. But.. but the Fair is for Family! ..and I need to know where you ARE! (insert hyperventilation here) and what about all the stories of the kids who bring alcohol or pot … and what if they offer it to you or what if you get lost and what if … if .. if… *sigh*.
*in all “Fair-ness” Durham Fair is well patroled by a solid police presence and does a good job monitoring the kids activity.
Those first few years of – oh my God they’re out there all by themselves– with 15 or 100 other friends or so, I dropped them off and picked them up and they had such a good time I was glad I got over myself and let it happen. The look on their faces was one of exhilaration and – youth un adulterated and uninhibited– Their giggles and laughs and gossip and jokes about what had transpired that night as we drove home were like little gold nuggets from the Fair just for me.
I realized yesterday as my husband and I walked alone among the canned goods and produce displays that we have indeed entered our Fall Fair Season. The kids still go to the Fair…. but now they drive themselves and their significant others. They meet up with friends and are home at a respectful hour. They’ve started commenting on how Friday and Saturday nights are not the best time to go because – the crowds! The Parking! … and it’s no longer uncool to be seen sometimes at the fair with the ‘rents.
While I miss certain aspects of my previous Fair Seasons, this one is just as delightful in it’s own way and I’ll savor every bit of it. Especially the FOOD! The Animals! The Craft Tent! If you live within two hours drive of Durham, CT… I recommend you take a day trip…and stop by The Lions Club Hut for a corndog.. because man oh man, they are ridiculously delicious . The Lime Rickeys just up the hill are awesome too and if you buy the green cup, you get a free refill throughout your visit. It’s quite a trek around the fairgrounds, the hills are pretty steep. You’ll work up the appetite, believe it.
I think I need some frizzles in my coop.
