We spent the day at the fair, and so our meals consisted of fair ‘food’. As I am allergic to garlic, I have to be ‘careful’ about what I eat or I will get sick, so I ate fair ‘food’ (corn dog, curly fries, funnel cake, beer, scone with raspberry jam, a diet coke) and just nearly got sick.
I have to say that one of the things I love here is what is considered ‘crowded’. Usually, it is two. Two people in line for the chocolate dipped strawberries, two families in line to get in the gate, two people in line at the beer garden, two women in line for the women’s room and 1 guy in line for the men’s room. Yep, that’s it…I love it!
In one of our regular drives near the farm, last week, we came across the Calgary Stampede Ranch Horses. Bred for bucking. Their looks are deceiving, when not in the arena.
The bulls however, nope, I’d never ever, want to approach those babies.
Rodeo is dangerous business. One must also be careful how many pictures you take of the cowboys, as after a few pics, even the normally tame ones turn a bit ornery and start to give you ‘that look’.
So, it was officially NOT my first trip to the rodeo, but I still do not understand steer wrestling, where cowboys jump off their horses (going approximately 35 mph) to land (hopefully) on a steer, grabbing it by the horns and wrestling it to the ground. Are you kidding me? I want to know what group of 10-year-old boys or group of inebriated men thought this one up? Riding fast and staying on, those I understand…jumping off…not so much.
I loved being at the live stock auction. The way this town supports their 4-H kids is something else. 230-295 pound pigs selling for 3 to 5 dollars a pound! Yep, that is some precious pork! Just great seeing the 4-H kids come into the stands later to find their buyer, shake their hand and say, “Thank you for buying my pig”.
The moment I hope I remember the most was one of a respect. The rodeo was honoring our service men and woman. Those who give of themselves, so that we can live as we chose. A soldier rode in with a horseless rider, veterans were honored and when a beautiful video tribute entitled “Thank you” was played, without being told, everyone slowly and quietly rose to their feet, removed their hats held them over their hearts and paid their respect. Honor and dignity….makes me glad I am here.
Fun memories of going to that fair and rodeo as a kid.
Rob and I were there several years ago when a couple of the bulls got loose!
Glad you had a good time and enjoyed the pictures!
So cool. Rodeo’s are so fun. I love your crowds, I went to the OC fair and I’m cured of going to LA county fair. Crowds are amazing here, driving back from SB yesterday was intense.
Oh, Steve, I know. We are permanently ‘cured’ of crowds. Never liked them….
What a moving moment! We need to remember more often.
Glad y’all had a good time at the fair and rodeo, Ellen. I always volunteer at both and was truly grateful when they dedicated the show last night to Patriotism and the vets. I also was grateful of the folks standing up at that time without it being suggested.
I am glad you were there too.