It's always the best. I think it's my favorite day of the whole summer, the one we spend at the Clackamas County Fair. We saw sheep and cows and bunnies and cavies and pigs and alpacas. We ate kettle corn and strawberry shortcake and too much terrible lemonade. We said no to hot tubs, monster trucks, sunglasses, and hippie bags and yes to bubble guns, arrowheads, and cowgirl hats. We listened to a really young guy sing an Eagles medley, and some really old guys sing river songs. We dipped candles, gazed at lady spinners, watched blacksmiths, listened to a harpist, played the drum, and went in a teepee. We sifted corn, rode tractor-trikes, were mad because we weren't tall enough to go on the bears, were happy because we were tall enough to go on the cars, and danced on the midway. We washed our hands a lot. We heard what animals sound like. We talked a lot about Old Man Donald (i.e.: Old McDonald). We congratulated 4-H-ers and never made it into the jam and jelly, vegetable, or cake exhibits. My baby rode a pony and I cried. For goodness' sake. It was just the best day.
Here are our other trips to the fair:
2014
2013
2011
2010
2009
2008
***The white dress Amelia is wearing here was made by my mom for me when I was her age. I'm not sure what pattern exactly but it looks a lot like (vintage) Simplicity 6184. . . . And unfortunately, I know the moccasin man doesn't have a web site. We had his card once a long time ago but don't have it anymore, I'm sorry. You just have to go to the fair! ;)
I actually can smell that warm fragrant pungent barn smell while looking at your gorgeous photos. We used to go to our fall fair when our daughter was young and loved it. Especially when they had the super dogs doing all their tricks. She is all grown now and lives far away but today is going to her Ex in Toronto - mostly to eat all the outrageous food. And of course to see all the beautiful animals. Thanks for all the inspiration over the years!
precious! she took her fair visit so seriously! what a fun and colorful day.
Thank you for sharing your day!
She's sooo cute!
This is probably my favorite post you do all year! I love this fair so much and wish we had something similar. Instead, one year, I'll have to get up there and visit this one.
I have a very similar pony ride pic of my now 16 year old daughter from when she was Mimi's age. With the same expression. Brought me right back. The years are far too swift.
Thank you for sharing. :)
Your pictures are always the best!
Hi Alicia, It certainly looks like you had a lot of fun. Amelia's dress is so cute. Reminds me of one I made for my girls when they were small, many years ago. Did you by chance make it? Thank you for your posts. Your writing is exceptional and always makes me feel like I'm right there with you!
Dear Alicia,
Your posts are all mighty wonderful, but I look forward to and am moved each time by your perennial posts about your visit to the Clackamas County Fair. So nice. How could it not be one of the best days. I scrolled with anticipation to see the mocassin purchase and looks like in the loot photo that that tradition was part of your day too.
It ties in so many things. I was a 4-Her and FFA-er. I raised sheep and chickens and did many other projects. Those Fair weeks growing up were wonderful. They still are.
These years I am in Europe and away from US County Fairs. But I drove past a Fair Grounds a few days ago and had fun comparing the pronunciation of "Fair" among my American accent and those of the British and New Zealand friends I was with.
I also read your post while eating sea salt + sweet popcorn; I knitted today while waiting for my ride at the grocery store. I had some of the best goat cheese of my life last week. So I am not that far from the Fair after all.
I love seeing the expressions of love for their animals and the relationships with their animals which your photos of the 4-Hers convey.
And how lovely to see your photo journals of the Clackamas Fair grow and change as your family does.
I always fall in love with your fair photos. We have all the fun fair stuff/animals/treats/rides, but that Pioneer Village? Now that looks like a gem of a place that our fair just doesn't have!
I always enjoy your pictures of this beautiful and colorful fair!
Your dear Amelia live in a fairy tale with parents like your are both.
Lot of sweet travels and meet interessants people.
Thanks for sharing these beautiful days.
Thanks so much
My favorite photos! I look forward to them each year. So wonderful.
I wondered what had your daughter looking so very, very peeved. Now I know. And I empathize. So frustrating to be "not tall enough."
Oh how adorable she looks on her tiny pony. I love seeing your photos of the fair every year, you capture it all so very beautifully. Glad you such a good time, it looks fascinating, full of the most interesting people. CJ xx
Does the mocassin guy have a website? I'd love to get some of those wonderful shoes your hubs loves.
you just made me feel like it's ok that summer is soon changing to fall xo loved every captured moment soooo much...love from muskoka xo
Amelia doesn't look like a baby anymore, Alicia. She looks like a kid. Where does the time go?
It really has become a longstanding tradition, one that always delights me... The Paulsons at the fair!
It does look like an exceptional fair, but I'm pretty sure it's your focus and point of view that makes me wish I were there, too.
how very lovely!!!!
Enchanting!
Sue
xo
The photos went on and on and I loved every one of them!
I'll bet their attendance records have jumped since you started posting these in 08. Just love them, every single image, every single year. Pony ride images compensate for no jams, jellies,baking... but you are on notice not to miss them next year.
Goodness, how strangely wonderful (or wonderfully strange?) it is to look forward to a county fair on the other side of the world, each and every year. Always one of my favourite posts to see and read. I'm so glad it was the best day.
I love the county fair! It looks like y'all had a fabulous time and came home with some good stuff. Next year Amelia needs some boots to go with that cowgirl hat. ;-) Jonni
I so agree with Natalie, The Chicken Blogger about your focus and points of view making the fair posts so wonderful! Always a fun experience from the sidelines--even more so with that adorbs little pony rider in her darling floral print dress! She's so sweet!...And you cried! Aw, I love that you shared that with us!
Thanks to you, it is now one of my favorite days of the summer too. Your pictures last year inspired us to go (we're in a different county) and we love it. One of these years I'm going to buy a bunny! :)