Lake County Fair, Eustis
 

Very disappointing. I brought my wife who is not from this country so I thought I'd take her what I thought would be real American event. There is almost no livestock or agricultural exhibits.
The cost of rides and games is outrageous. I admit that I haven't been to a country fair in a long time but I was shocked to see that it now cost $5.00 to try to throw a ball though a hoop. The next booth was darts or something and it was $10 per chance.
The ride coupons were $1.25 each and most rides were 3-5 coupons. $4 - $6 dollars a ride??? Really?
We did have a bite to eat and we actually threw away about half the food. It was, (and I don't use this term often) "inedible".
I used to go to a county fair back in the 80s when I lived in northern New Hampshire and it was great. Lots of animal and agricultural exhibits reasonable rides, even the games where you knew you were going to lose were reasonable. I remember loving the food. What happened?

State fairs seem to have more of what you remember. Few county fairs are as good today. There are usually certain days where you can get a ride wristband or discount tickets for most fairs.

As far as I know any county fair in Ohio are still good ones and haven't changed much from the ones when I was growing up there. The livestock and home goods were big things then.

They did have a wristband for $18.00 but we weren't going to ride that many rides.

Where I lived in NW Ohio, some county fairs were much better and bigger than others. We all knew which ones to go to and which ones to skip. Don't judge the local fairs by your experience at one. The next one could be better.

And they have roast'nears.:thumbup:

What's up with a Fair in April?
Back in the Midwest Fairs were held in the autumn.... Late August or September

I hear you, was a poor excuse for a fair. Hey were you going to THE BIG E when in New England? Now that was a fair.

Even though I have never had one I assume roast'nears are roasted ears of corn well buttered and seasoned. Sounds great. I only knew of the old favorite fair foods.:wave:

When we lived in Columbus in the '70s, that was the county fair term for corn on the cob. They had a bucket of melted butter, and they dipped the ear in it and handed it to you. I had never heard the term "roastin' ears" before. the pronunciation was all run together and sounded like--roast'nears.

PS: I never had one, but I did go to one fair and saw Tom Jones, with women throwing their underwear at him, and he would mop his brow and throw it back. Ew.

Being from New England you must remember "Topsfield Fair" THE BEST. Haven't been in a few years, but would love to go again.

I think I know the fair you mean, and cannot remember the name, is it in the area of North Conway? Cars are backed up for miles just to get in. 4H groups would be there with all their animals. All the fattening food trucks selling all the junk food. All the barns full of animals, chickens, goats, geese. Yes, good times.

My granddaughter shows her dog at the fairs so we have been to the Big E, the Stratham Fair, (love those Lobster Rolls the ladies make), and then there is a huge fair on the Mass border - and once again I cannot remember the name. Yes, our northern fairs were always in the fall, probably because we were recovering from winter in the springtime.

Of all the things I miss, I miss my brain the most!

They were great years, but I am also enjoying my retirement years in TV.

What is the Big E? I'm from north of Boston, but this doesn't sound familiar.

We went to the Strawberry Festival in Plant City this year. Had pretty much the same experience. Lots of VERY BAD junk food. A few arts and crafts and some strawberries for sale and a few places selling previously frozen strawberry short cake. Rides and carnival games were expensive. They did have big name country entertainers each night for an additional fee. I doubt we would ever go again.

A fair in August or September would have more roasted than the corn. It is way too hot that time of year.