Let's see...why oh why would someone go to the fair?

Maybe becuase it's the one time of year my kids can see all of the wonderful products Kern County has to offer.  The giant pumpkins, the super squash, the apples and oranges, and corn by the basket.  They can see animals that we normally don't see in our suburban neighborhood.  For a four year old, watching a cow give birth is a wonderous event.  We, as a family, went to the fair, yesterday.  My twelve year old rode an elephant with her four year old sister.  We all shared one funnel cake and laughed like yesterday was the last day on earth.  We climbed on the fire trucks and got some swag from Smokey the Bear.  We made giant bubbles. We didn't buy any liquor.  In fact, I didn't see anyone with liquor (but, maybe it was too early).  The fair, like many things, is what you make of it.  If you're a jaded cynic who can only see the bad, then that's what you'll see.  Your enjoyment of life is an extension of your comfort level - our family is very, very close... maybe that's why we enjoy the fair as a family. 

I used to have serious social anxiety, especially in large crowds. I could do ok for an hour or so but after a while, even though I was outside I'd get closterphobic, I just wanted to run through the crowd like a football player and get OUT of there. There wasn't much at fairs, at amusement parks or whatever else I cared about; I was just always uncomfortable. I say used to be and was because that part of me has changed. I was at the fair on thursday, and it wasn't crowded, not like it is on the weekend but its amazing how when perspective changes everything changes.  I just walked around with my friend, ate a corn dog, listened to some drumming and it was fun. Even though the fair itself may be the same every year, but there can always be something new or just a new story. Bakersfield is a big little town and it is cool recognizing folks there.

And the photography exhibit has new pictures every year too. :) Oh and umm I wouldn't wait an hour to watch a calf get born. It makes me a wee bit naseous thinking about it.

But thanhurst, many of the caucasian males you speak of are buying the black rap CD's, wearing the baggies shwowing/smoking crack/crank, signing, etc.

Will they someday be posting on a BB saying just what you did?

Wondering why "this" happened?

Yes. They will. Unless they find some meaning in their lives. This can come from intervention programs (mine was Army) and the church -- not useless liberals whose entire repertoire consists of lame fail cartoons or "fixed that for you" remonstrations and seething venom which manifests in vile thoughts about someone who is sick because they belong to the "wrong party".

There it is.

This town is not regressing, anymore than any other in this great country drlnlift.

The fair is safer than it ever has been. I can remember back in the 70's when youths would roam the fair stabbing people with ice picks and running off. Never to be seen again, but the poor folks stabbed suffered for the rest of their lives. This was not publicized but went on.

The gang units operate throughout the fair, but especially at the "adult" rides area. They, of course are SO, but the Ag Board has also hired BPD officers to "privately "patrol over the years.

These guys are the entire reason why the fair is safe now.

We all need to show them some respect and take the grand kids to the fargin fair!

I just came from the fair.  I think this is the first time I've ever gone in the daytime and come home in the daytime.  It's usually go early and see the buildings while it's light then hit all the other things like animals and outdoor exhibits after dark.  I have never, ever seen a fight or, in many, many years, even seen a problem.  In all of my memory I've only missed the fair one time and that was because I was living out of state.  Mind you that's a considerable number of years but I'm not tellin'  how many.  I'll be going again and this time it will be night time so I can enjoy the lights.  Bad mouthing the fair without going is presuming you know what it's like now.

Having said that, I'm delighted when people tell me they aren't going...it's less crowd for me to deal with.  :-)

spam code..honest.. SEXIN.  In what?  The hot tub, the oooppss..better leave it alone.

Oldblue..you were there almost exactly the same length of time we were.  Got there at 12:30 and left around 4.  Only I had deep pit at Strassners.  Got my caramel corn and I'm set for the original war movie series on AMC  PBS tonight.

Grrr..I hate series cause I usually miss some of it.

Sage...I was referring to About thanhurst's original post and BillionaireBartley as being facetious.  At the time, it was 2 of 7 posts (but with thanhurst's being the first it seemed like more), so I should have probably stated "a couple" instead of "many".   I didn't mean to infer that all of the posts weren't heartfelt, but those two were meant to amuse and I didn't want people to think that my post was fictional.   All though the fair may have cleaned up with the police protection that Chico mentioned, I'll still stick to the daylight hours with my kids if we go.  We went with the school last year when they open early for students and it was great (but extremely hot that day).  At least this year we have the nicer weather.

Most of the men arriving were wearing colored levis, cowboy shirts, big belt buckles, fancy cowboy boots, and cowboy hats. We even thought we heard one of them speaking English

You forgot the cowhide belts (hair intact) and silver on the boots.

Right from Jalisco esse

How come all the Reserves at the fair are so morbidly obese?

(well MOST of them anyway)