Shawville Fair 2017

In passed years, Shawville Fair was an all weekend affair. From Thursday until Monday afternoon we were at the grounds enjoying friends, drinks, Fair food and entertainment. Since Sam, life and interests have changed. Now we spent the limited time we are there in the midway. We are home early in the night. Sam loves the Fair but all the excitement is short lived before he is over-tired. 

But we can't pass up the Fair. Despite the cooler and gloomy temperatures this year, we couldn't pass up some time enjoying the festivities! 

We decided our "big" day at the Fair would be Friday evening. We headed up after work and it was quiet enough that Sam could literally walk onto any ride he wanted. His favorites were the helicopters and flying airplane! 

But this year Sam really enjoyed some of the other things the Fair had to offer. The games, petting zoo and tractor display was a huge hit! 

We squeezed in about 3 hours of Fair time before we took a kicking and screaming toddler to the car. Not without some cotton candy for his first taste, which he loved! 

The next morning we lounged around home and Sam got to work on "practicing pulling a cow" with Tucker. Friends Brodee and Kerry picked up Sam the Monday before to take him to the farm where Brodee was preparing his calf for the 4H show at the Fair. Sam showed great interest and so they offered to help him show for his first time in the Pee Wee division. 

In some show whites, we headed back to the Fair. Sam seemed really excited to be showing but I was a nervous wreck. Sam's typical nature is to shy away at new situations before he warms up. I was worried he would get out into the ring and shy/growling Sam would appear. 

We headed to the barns early to familiarize ourselves with Evalina the calf again and get lined up for showtime! Again, Sam was acting excited but not shying away. 

Well Mr.Shy must not have stage fright because he walked with his calf, leading her where he was suppose to without hesitation! 

He even spoke his name clearly into the mic when asked! Who the heck was this performer? I have to admit, I was beaming with pride watching him! 

He got his ribbon and was SOO excited. You would have thought it was the best thing he's ever been given! 

It was such a fun experience and while we won't push him to be in 4H, we definitely won't hesitate to help him if that is the route he wants to go. Thank you so much Brodee and KL! 

We left the Fair right after the show. Sam went home with Ryan for a nap and I got a visit in with baby Oliver! 

The rest of the weekend was rainy and not appealing for standing around a midway. Instead, we stuck around home and relaxed, enjoyed some outdoor time between showers, napped and got some stuff done around home! 

This included picking (probably) the last of the blackberries! The farm has been polluted with them this year that we haven't been able to keep them all picked before they fall or get eaten by birds! While my garden was pathetic this year (another post for another day), the farm has provided us with other treats for our freezer like blackberries and raspberries! 

xo