The Sweet and Secret Influences of Our State and County Fairs

State fairs are as much about nurturing character and developing skills as they are about competing for blue ribbons.
The Sweet and Secret Influences of Our State and County Fairs
A contestant receives a blue ribbon after showing a hog during competition at the Iowa County Fair on July 13, 2018, in Marengo, Iowa. Scott Olson/Getty Images
Annie Holmquist
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The sawing of crickets and the sight of overgrown gardens, dried-out lawns, and back-to-school sales all signal that summer is drawing to a close. But that very last rose of summer is often the arrival of the county or state fair.

I’ve never entered anything in the state fair myself, but I’ve certainly looked over the various entries that I could have competed against with a critical eye.

Annie Holmquist
Annie Holmquist
Author
Annie Holmquist is a cultural commentator hailing from America's heartland who loves classic books, architecture, music, and values. Her writings can be found at Annie’s Attic on Substack.
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