Fair Week!!

Tomorrow is the opening day of this year’s version of the Allentown Fair.  I’m pretty sure that I have missed only a handful of Allentown Fairs in my entire life.  I’m very sure that, after this one, I will say that I am not going back next year. But I will. I know, because I said that last year.

Why do I say that? I think because the fair seems to get smaller every year. Smaller, more expensive, and less original.

But why do I go?

The food!! Fair food is amazing! My usual menu is a sausage sandwich, always very messy to eat, but oh so good.  That is followed by deep fried vegetables…no zucchini please!  Then tacos…hopefully from Hogar Crea.  Kutztown Old Fashioned Birch Beer to wash it all down! On the way to the car it’s funnel cake for dessert! Getting the powdered sugar off the car seats the next day is well worth it.

Why else do I go?

People watching!! There is no better place to people watch than the Allentown Fair. You will see all kinds of interesting sights and wonder where are these people the rest of the year. You will see all manner of dress, including some that is barely there! Oh my!  But you will often see people dressed very nicely, maybe even wearing a tie. All kinds of people attend the fair!

Another reason?

The quirky events you will see nowhere else, that’s a reason. Who doesn’t loved to see pig races? C’mon you know you do!  The Clydesdales are usually there, back there with the vendors selling wood stoves and window replacements. I don’t mean the Clydesdales are selling home improvement products! The midway with its giant rat, heaviest woman, and smallest horse. The Allentown Fair is an eclectic mix of fun!

Finally, there are the memories. Best concert I ever saw was at the Allentown Fair.  Crosby, Stills, and Nash played for three and a half hours without a break. It was the last show of their tour and the drummer was from Allentown, so they gave it something extra. Nice.  When I was in my pre-teens and early teens there was sort of a family curse involving the Allentown Fair.  Whenever it was fair week, a relative was usually in Allentown General Hospital, right next to the fair. I’m glad that curse has ended.

So one day this week I will wander to the fair, like I always do. I can already taste the sauce and onions on that sausage sandwich that awaits me!