Last night, my hubby and I took our four kiddos to our local county fair.
We spent way too much money on way too little food that added way too many inches to our way too large waistbands… but we had a BLAST and I wouldn’t have traded the memories made for the world!
When I was little, I always thought there was something romantic about the fair. I dunno why. I mean, really it’s loud, fattening, smells like sweaty people and livestock droppings, and is filled with teenagers who really could use a lesson or two on how to wear their clothing (and a few adults as well.)
But there was always one ride in particular that made my heart go pitter patter.
You may have already guessed it…
The FERRIS wheel.
I dreamed of someday having the love of my life help me into the little basket, and away we go, off to see the world at new, moving heights… and maybe steal a kiss or two!
Of course, my love would also spend copious amounts of his hard-earned money trying to win obnoxiously large stuffed animals for me. (In my dream world, he was super wealthy… I mean, we gotta DREAM BIG, right!?!)
Regardless, there is just something magical about the fair.
In my first novel, Sandwich, with a Side of Romance, I KNEW I had to write a scene at the fair. The book is based in the (real) small town of Sandwich, IL. One of Sandwich’s claims to fame is the Sandwich Fair. It is one of the oldest, longest running fairs in the state of Illinois, and is pretty well-known for quite a good distance.
And of course, my hero/heroine share a romantic moment on the Ferris Wheel…. I mean, how could I not!?!
I was sad when writing my newest book releasing later this month (a Sandwich Novella called A Side of Faith…) when the timing didn’t work out right to have another scene at the fair. (but then again, it would be a bit redundant, lol!)
So what about you? Do you have a favorite ride–or part–of the fair? Do you find the fair a wee bit romantic, or just loud and noisy and something to avoid?
Oh, and what’s your favorite fair food?
Mine is the Elephant Ear or the Funnel Cake… either one! YUM YUM YUM!!!!!
(photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net)
Krista Phillips writes inspirational romance with a dash of smiles. She believes a sprinkle of laughter (and a wee bit of chocolate) makes everything a little better! She blogs regularly about life as a wife, mother, follower of Jesus, and mother of a child with a rare congenital heart defect at www.kristaphillips.com. She is represented by Sarah Freese of WordServe Literary.
I have a Texas State Fair scene in my second book! One of my favorites :)
Ohhh, I can’t WAIT to read one of your WHOLE books someday, Laurie!!! Only have a teasing little taste is just brutal!!
And aren’t fair scenes so much fun?
I gotta admit. I LOVE the ferris wheel part… but I also have a spray painted cow in there too, which also makes me giggle every time I read it. (I’m probably the only one who laughs at it… but at least it amuses ME!0
We recently took our granddaughters to the San Diego County Fair while we were on vacation. It was fun watching them have fun on the rides. As far as fair food goes, I can’t think of any that I like. I just wonder how they come up with these grease laden concoctions.
I’m not crazy about heights … and I don’t like them to move, either. So the idea of being kissed while riding a ferris wheel — yeah, not working for me. Which doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy a well-written fictional scene, Krista. :) And I do include a disastrous first kiss on a roller coaster in an upcoming novella …
no fair food that you like????
I will say, I cringe at the thought of fried oreos and fried twinkies. That’s just… yeah. I’ve not tried them because, well, I’m afraid I’d have an immediate heart attack on the spot!!
But a jumbo corn dog and funnel cake???
*licking lips*
It’s only once a year… thus the justification! LOL
LOL, See, I’ve always been a roller coaster junky and ridden all the scariest rides, so a kiss high atop a ferris wheel is super oh-la-la to me!!!! (I actually made my heroine a wee bit nervous about the height, though! Poor hero had to calm her with a kiss….. *grin*)
In Lakeside Sweethearts, my newest release, I have a scene with my characters at the fair and on the Ferris wheel. :) She tells him one of her fears, and he reassures her she has nothing to fear from him.
In my old age, I deal with a lot of motion sickness, so the Ferris wheel is about the only ride I can handle without getting sick.
I, too, have a scene on a Ferris wheel in my latest release! Lots of things happening at that fair. My H/H don’t share a kiss (they’re not quite at that point yet) but they learn a lot about one another while riding the Ferris wheel. Can’t wait to read your novella soon, Krista!
Our Minnesota State Fair is coming up soon (it runs 12 days and ends on Labor Day), It’s quite the big deal around here. I can’t pick just one favorite food – I have to have a pronto pup (which is not the same as a corn dog), mini donuts, pork chop on a stick, a chocolate malt, kettle corn, Sweet Martha’s cookies…
Because the Fair is such a huge deal, it’s not cheap to go on the rides anymore. We have a double ferris wheel that’s very cool, but I haven’t been on it in years. I might have to go for it this year, however, in your honor, Krista!