Trina Machacek: A world’s fair has no comparison to intimate county fairs

Trina Machacek

By Trina Machacek

Friday, August 4, 2023

The answer is yes. There are still world’s fairs. The next one, oh wait. By the way they are no longer called world’s fairs. They are World Expos. The next World Expo will take place in Osaka, Kansai, Japan between April 13 and Oct. 13, 2025. Not sure about you, but. Yes a worldwide “but.” I will not be attending the World Expo in Japan. I can’t imagine all the things there will be to see though. Putting the words “world” and “Japan” together, I would bet my ever famous nickel bet there will be tons of electronic do-hickys. Personally, I like to go to the fair to see the pigs. Yes I am that small town girl.

In Eureka County as in so many other places, the excitement of fair season is in the air. Has it been a while since you visited your local county fair? Well stick on your cotton candy eating face, get out there and see what magic happens during the late summer and fall months. Once a year children and adults alike have been gathering for county fairs. For as long as there have been farmers wives who raise chickens better than the farmer’s wife across the lane, there have been fairs. For as long as ranch cowboys have been getting pinned up against a fence by a raunchy bull there have been rodeos. You know, so those cowboys can get even with those danged bugger bulls!

Those are just two of the many reasons to go to the fair in your neck of the woods. The long lived 4H work, from so many kids will be present in many ways at county fairs. 4H kids work hard nearly all year long to get steers and goats and pigs and quilts and made from scratch breads and cakes, the best looking tomatoes and zucchini and flowers they can grow all ready to show at county fairs. Each project will have a record book of each step the kids take as they learn all about their chosen endeavor. Besides 4H there will be Grange members there to show animals and sewing and photography. Oh, the things you will see when you go to your fair. You will be amazed at the people in your neck of the woods and what they do in their spare time. Wood working, welding, baking, sewing, photography. Even you, yes you have something to add to the fair. It’s for everyone!

Here’s a story about a fair I went to a very long time ago. I actually think it was a state fair, in Nevada. It was held in Reno for many years where we lived and we went every year. It was so magical. My dad worked for the phone company so when I saw a big display about how voices are fit into those tiny wires and come out unscrambled into ears? Well, I had to go over and see. I remember there was maybe six stations set up with wires and lights and all. I marched right up and the man there said to me, “Have you ever listened with your nose?” I must have been about 10. Excited I told him you don’t listen with your nose. He laughed and held a piece of plastic attached to a wire coming out of this machine to my nose. All of a sudden I could hear someone saying that yes if you know the secret of transmission, anyone can hear through their nose. It was so cool.

In my mind’s eye I can still see people going up to the display, having some plastic thingy held to their noses and the look of surprise on their faces. I think that is as close to a world’s fair that I have ever been or will ever be.

I would be tarred and feathered if I skipped any of the best things about a county fair. Let me just name a few. Rodeos, horse shows, mutton busting with little cowboys and girls, vendors that travel the fair circuit with things they have spent all winter knitting, making from wood and paintings. Pig races, mud volleyball, scrabble tournaments, pick up a new free Bible from a Gideon Booth, and then … Oh be still my heart. Fair Food! Fair food is a food group all its own. There’s really nothing good for you down the fair food lane. Unless you take into account how happy a butter dripping elephant ear can make you feel. But only after you’ve had and Indian taco, a pile of fresh cut curly fries and a side of deep fried mushrooms.

The very best? Seeing your friends and neighbors. Oh, the chitty chat you will have. Enjoy.

Trina Machacek lives in Diamond Valley north of Eureka. Her books are available through her website, www.theeurekacountystar.com.

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