Too Big To Miss

by Tricia

Ahhh, the Oregon State Fair (aka "The Big One").  Home of The Strange Thing, the $1 Dairy Maid Ice Cream Cone (not to be missed), 4-H exhibits, hypnotist shows, the Dominator corn dog, sham wow demonstrations (totally bought one a few years ago), and the coolest free ride ever.  This was Madelyn’s first time at the Oregon State Fair.  We would have loved to take her last year, but we were sort of doing this:

The first thing we discovered when we arrived this year?  Madelyn isn’t yet tall enough for most of the kiddie rides.  We were sort of bummed until we discovered that the rides cost $4.50 each, and then we were glad for the excuse.

The one ride she measured up for?  The Canoes!  It’s not a very exciting ride, but I was totally stoked about her going on it because I loved going on this very same ride when I was a kid at the Oregon State Fair.

Okay, so I was probably six years older than Madelyn at the time I went on this 0.05 mph ride . . . but it was the only ride I felt brave enough to go on being the little scaredy-cat that I was.  I tried to use the excuse that I was simply going on the ride to accompany my little sister, but that stopped once my sister wanted to go on the upside down rides.

In addition to the fast-paced canoe adventure, Madelyn got her face painted.  It was adorable: we showed Madelyn all of the options in her price range and she picked the smiley face.

We also visited the petting zoo.

And the animal exhibition barns, where Madelyn repeatedly asked "What that noise?" when a horse neighed and where she watched in utter fascination while some bovines did their Number Two business.

Troy did get pooped on.  Not by one of the fair animals, but rather a stray pigeon.  YUCK!

We ate corn dogs and scones (my two favorite fair foods) to celebrate my birthday (hence the birthday hat).

Don’t worry - we stayed away from the Dominator.  Although, Madelyn DID eat her entire corn dog.  In about 5 minutes.

I've spent many birthdays at the fair with my family.  It used to be tradition during my awkward tween years for my uncle to stand up on the picnic tables during the middle of the lunch crowd and announce my birthday so that the entire food crowd could sing Happy Birthday to me.  I've matured somewhat since then and was able to wear the birthday hat my dad brought without my face turning red from embarrassment.  I was just happy to be with family!

After a two-hour nap in the car for the three of us . . .

…we were back and ready for more adventures at the Fair.  We ate the famed $1 Dairy Maid ice cream cones.

Madelyn would have definitely eaten every. single. bite. of that ice cream cone.   Except the bottom of her cone fell out.

Next, we meandered through the 4-H exhibts.

We watched the imaginary circus.

We played hopscotch.

We got paper antlers.

And we ended the night with the best ride in the house - something we were tipped off about several years ago by a carnival ride attendant who was very, very high when he made the recommendation.  Basically, you stand under the Sinbad ride and look up.  Then, enjoy the “ride.”  It has now become a solid tradition for our friends and us.

Until next year, Oregon State Fair.

Labels: by tricia, madelyn, oregon state fair, pictures, videos