Some Things Never Change

In life, we know that things are always changing. We learn to adapt to change - even to crave it and love it. Change is the only thing that truly stays the same.

Except for the fair.

We took all the Bailey grandchildren to the Canton Fair last night. This event has not changed one bit since I was a kid. It seemed like I stepped into a time machine when I walked through those rusty gates. And suddenly, I felt this overwhelming urge to buy Aussie Scrunch Spray and tight roll my jeans.

So, my question is... how do you get that many people to decide to keep things the same? If carnies ran the government, women would still be waiting on the right to vote.

All the same rides were there representing - the ferris wheel, the tempest, the gravitron, the bumper cars, etc. And when I say "all the same rides", that's exactly what I mean. Like the actual same rides. I'm not quite sure how a rusty, bent bolt can hold a cart on a ferris wheel for over 30 years, but I took a leap of faith and had a view from the top anyway.

It felt like I was attending a costume party that nobody told me about. I saw more pairs of acid washed Guess jeans and black muscle shirts than I care to mention. And from the looks of all the smiling faces, most of them had not seen the inside of a dentist's office since the Carter Administration.

The carnies haven't changed either, but let's be honest, do we really want them to? Making fun of carnies is half the fun of going to the fair.

Songs like "Tough Enuff" by The Fabulous Thunderbirds, "Paradise City" by GNR and "Back In Black" by AC/DC were blaring from the speakers last night. Just like they were last year. Just like they were 20 years ago. Ya know, there was a time when those songs were current Top 40 radio hits, but that was when I was wearing 3 swatch watches and teasing my bangs. It kind of made me wonder what was on the fair's playlist prior to 1987.

And the food! Well, for crying outloud, thank goodness that hasn't changed. I think I could live off candied apples and funnel cakes alone.... or at least die trying. I did notice a new menu item this year: Fried Twinkies. The fair found a way to take one of the most unhealthy foods and make it even more unhealthy. There should really be an award for that.

All kidding aside, we had a blast! The kids loved the rides and the games so much that we had to practically drag them out of there when we left. I loved seeing their little faces as they were enjoying all the fair experiences... well, except for when Bailey almost puked on the Pirate Ship ride. That face, I could probably do without.

And we had a good opportunity to build up our immunities. Please pass the Purell.