County Fair!

My sister Susan and I went to the St. Lucie County Fair this past Thursday afternoon. This was the first honest-to-God county fair I have ever attended. This event, which runs through this Sunday, takes place at the St. Lucie County Fairgrounds, located way the hell to the west of Port St. Lucie. And if you think Florida is not an agricultural state, think again. Once you get way from the coastline, whatever isn't swamp seems to be filled with cows and horses. And I must say, I enjoyed this fair very much. It seemed to me like a traditional county fair, the kind you see in the movies, with a midway, lots of food booths, and more carnival style games to test your skills and win a prize than you can count. There were also plenty of amusement rides, if you want to live dangerously.

The best part of the fair for me was the petting zoo. At the entrance, you can purchase food to feed the animals. I don't know what they put in that food, or if they simply don't feed the poor things before the gates open, but all of those animals were frantic to get those treats, as seen in the photograph on the right. They were literally crawling over each other to get to the person handing out the food. 

There was a wide range of animals at the petting zoo, ranging from goats to miniature cows to camels (Yes! Camels! In Florida!) to llamas and alpacas, which is what I think the animal in the photograph on the left that those children are feeding might be. After leaving the petting zoo, we headed to a number of barns featuring different types of animals, including goats, cows, horses, and small animals such as chickens, roosters, geese, and even a large turkey, which actually does go gobble gobble gobble. Who woulda thunk it? In the buildings featuring the cows, goats, and horses, their young owners, no doubt members of the local 4-H club, would be standing next to their animal ready to proudly tell you all about it. Amazing how different a lifestyle exists just a short drive west of here.

And yes, I think that goat in the photograph on the right has taken a shine to me, even if I didn't have any food to give it. I would consider adopting it and taking it home to our condo in Stuart, but the complex doesn't even allow dogs or cats, let along goats. And this particular HOA takes its rules and regulations very seriously. I can just imagine having to explain to them that this was a service goat. In any case, it was a fun afternoon, and both Susan and I enjoyed the fair very much. It was like a trip back to the America of old, a much simpler and happier time. And if you are in the area, I recommend going. Today and tomorrow are the last two days, with hours from 12:00 to 10:30 today and 12:00 to 9:30 Sunday. And be sure to buy food for the animals at the petting zoo. They are truly desperate for it.