Through the Eyes of a 7-Year-Old

It's fair time again, and since Landon spent the night with us, he was along for our trip to the Pulaski County Fair and the Beef Show.

Showing beef calves is a family tradition.  Gary and his sister and brother all showed calves and each of them, expect Mike, had a Grand Champion steer at one time in their 4-H tenure.  Mike didn't have a Grand, but one of his calves went on to win Reserve Grand Champion at the Indiana State Fair which was quite an accomplishment.

Today was our first venture back to the fair in several years.  Last year Gary was recovering from hernia surgery and the year before that, from surgery on his left foot.  The last year he fulfilled his duty as ringman resulted in an infection in his foot which led (directly or indirectly) to other foot issues which caused the aforementioned surgery to occur.  I really can't remember the last time I watched a beef show without being the clerk and the announcer, the last time I wandered around the fairgrounds taking in the atmosphere, the last time I ate an elephant ear, or the last time I checked out the clothing and foods projects, those that the girls always completed.  This year was a trip back to a period of 13 years where 10 days in late June and early July were dedicated to 'living at the fairgrounds.' 

This time was a little different though.  Landon was with us, and that put everything into a different perspective.  Landon is always full of questions, and today was no different.  Yes, he wanted a sno-cone.  Yes, he wanted to share an elephant ear.  He was fascinated by watching a guy load not just one, but four antique tractors on the trailer pulled by a semi.Our trip through the 4-H building reminded me of one I took with his Aunt Megan when she was 9, checking out all of the projects to see where sparks of interest were ignited.  Today I had to look for quite a while at the Legos projects, shooting sports, photography, and the farm models.  Next we traveled up and down the rows in not only the swine barn but also in the tents so we could check out the goats, ducks, one lonely turkey, and the rabbits. Antique cars and trucks were on display and Landon checked out every one and compared them to Grandpa Norm's 41 Chevy.  We finally ended our time at the fairgrounds with watching the antique tractor pull which was fascinating to Landon since one of the tractors was similar to the Oliver that Gary has at The Farm and one similar to the Moline sitting in his garage at home.

The other difference was the change in faces.  Even though I was walking over ground that I had traipsed across hundreds of times through the years the girls were 4-H members, the faces I encountered were different.  So many people I just did not recognize.  Those I did who shouted greetings to us had aged since the last time we have talked.  I am sure I haven't aged that much, right?  The names of the 4-H members in the cattle project were not familiar, for the most part, and for all I knew I could have been sitting at the arena in a different county than my own. Landon knew no one.  But people knew him.  We were asked if he were Hilary and Blaine's son.  Others marveled that he was so big.  As for me, I was reminded of days of walking around the fairgrounds with younger versions of Megan and Hilary, now with my grandson.

Time does keep moving on.  Hilary mentioned the other day that this year would be their 15th class reunion, if they were having one.  That means that Blaine has been out of 4-H for 15 years and Hilary for 14.  Fifteen years ago she was the Achievement Queen.  Sixteen years ago Blaine was Achievement King.  Landon spotted the sign hanging in the Beef Barn which listed all of the Grand Champion Steer winners as well as the Supreme Champion Heifer winners.  There he found his momma's name - Hilary Siemens - 1996.  That was 21 years ago.  Really?

As we were driving home and Landon was thanking us over and over for taking him to the fair, buying him a sno-cone and an elephant ear, showing him the exhibits, and taking him to the tractor pull, we commented that we were glad we weren't in the fair mode like we were 20 years ago.  Soon we will be back at it again, but this time more as spectators than real participants.  That role will be reserved for Hilary and Blaine, and eventually Megan and Matt.  We can just go to watch.

It's fair time once again, and seeing the familiar buildings and grounds, the same 4-H projects, the barns and tents of animals through Landon's eyes was refreshing. He loved the fair.  He enjoyed the freedom of walking around and not having to stay by our sides, a requirement when we go to Target or Meijer.  He wandered up and down the aisles of the swine barn while I stopped to look at one gilt or a barrow whose owner's name was familiar.  What a great way to spend a Fourth of July!