Something, there is, about a state fair. It brings out the kid in many of us. No matter how long it's been since we've qualified for senior discounts.
Maybe, partially, it's the cool nights after a long, hot summer. As crazy as the weather has been these days, the nights still cool off rapidly in October. Cold fronts have pushed the humidity back down to Louisiana, where it belongs. And the walk doesn't bother like it would in July.
The sights, the sounds, the screams of fear and joy. Mixed fear and joy. At the same time. Like from that ride they call the Freak Out. We sat for 20 minutes just watching the people scream as they were tossed around in the night air. No, we didn't participate. No way.
Imagine a Tilt-A-Whirl combined with a Ferris Wheel combined with one of those devices they used in the 1950s to train astronauts for the Mercury program. Now speed it all up and make it do the Twist. And people were lined up to get on it! Twenty deep! If there's no accounting for taste, there's also no accounting for what passes as entertainment. But, we must admit, it was a guilty pleasure watching the spectacle. After only a few minutes, we couldn't wipe off the stupid grin. As long as our feet were on the ground, we could call it fun.
As the kids did their thing, we walked around, taking it all in. People watching. They were all there--all the people. Different sizes, different looks, different voices. We heard a couple speaking what we think was an Asian language near a lemonade stand. The sound of their conversation was beautiful. We understood not a word, but something told us they were having fun, too.
Of course, we had to try some fair food. Nothing crazy. No deep-fried Dr Pepper or anything like that. How about chicken on a stick? Can't go wrong with chicken.
Except it cost $9. And they must've spent $8 on salt.
We washed it down with lemonade and walked around the gaming area. We must admit the carnies talked us out of a few bucks, and no prizes were forthcoming.
The flashing lights. The smell of turkey legs on the grill. The children falling asleep on Daddy's shoulders. The teens walking arm-in-arm. The cotton candy sticking to a child's hands. The older people taking pictures of the grandkids on the Ferris Wheel. As they used to say in the old newspaper gossip columns, a good time was had by all.
These days, you don't have to look for the kids as the evening winds down. You text them. And everybody met up at the exit to exchange stories.
Our story? We people watched. And had a ball.
Editorial on 10/20/2017