Cowboy Hats, Carnival Rides, and Corn Nuggets: A Perfect Night at the County Fair
Have you ever had one of those moments where it feels like you are in a movie?
A moment when life feels more like a dream or a fairytale fantasy rather than your current reality?
Like everything is just so perfect that it can’t be real?
Well, I sure have- and I’m going to tell you ALL about it!
It was a perfect summer night and I was headed to the county fair with the cutest boy I ever did see. Yes, I was totally in my lover-girl era and I am NOT ashamed of it.
The night began with my knight in shining armor picking me up. As I jumped in the car I was greeted with a surprise gift. With eyes closed and hopes high I held out my hands… only to feel something squeeze onto my head. I opened my eyes and whipped down the sun visor mirror to see my very own cowboy hat! He told me I couldn’t go to the county fair and rodeo without a hat to match! My heart was so happy.
The drive to the fairgrounds drifted away to the soundtrack of Tyler Childers and Zack Bryan.
Before we got too far into the country we stopped in town for a quick dinner- tacos and a new treat. Have you ever heard of corn nuggets? Neither had we but they are now one of our favorite additions to taco night. Seriously… they were so good. My lil boo thang and I keep a list of our favorite foods we have tried together and these corn nuggets made the list. The list is pretty short right now so once it gets longer I’ll share it with you.
With full bellies, we finished the drive to the fair. The parking line was looooong. It took about an hour to get in and get a spot- so next time we go we will definitely get there earlier.
The first stop was the rodeo! I haven’t been to a rodeo since I was a little kid back in Colorado so this felt like the first time. I didn’t quite know what to expect… but I was not disappointed. Men of all ages strapped themselves onto the back of angry-looking bulls and tried to hang on for dear life as they bucked them all around the arena. Something I didn’t expect was the commentary from the announcers. It didn’t matter if it was a kid or an adult- they went IN on them. If the bull rider fell off pretty quickly the announcers pulled every punch they could. The crowd loved it- but it did make me feel a little sad for the riders. I guess it’s all part of the sport… but I still felt bad for them.
The best part of the rodeo was the mutton busting. If you aren’t sure what that is, allow me to explain. Children under 60 lbs are beckoned to the bull riding arena. They are fitted with a padded vest and a helmet… and a sheep!
Yes- a sheep! These kids get on the bare back of a sheep, grab hold of their wool for dear life, and ride around for as long as they can. It is as crazy as it sounds.
After the mutton’s were busted we went straight to the ticket line. I have never ridden a ride at the county fair before so I knew this would be a new experience. We decided to go with the unlimited rides wristband and had two hours to make the purchase worthwhile. The free fall tower, Ferris wheel, flying kites, gravity spinner, jumbo slide… we did every single one. It was an absolute blast!
And I learned an important lesson…
You have to give yourself opportunities to be a kid again- chances to do things that are fun and maybe a little childish.
Today’s world is so serious and it’s easy to get caught up in the constant cycle of cynicism. So here’s your permission slip to be a little silly! Go ride all the carnival rides! Get the jumbo corn dog AND the cotton candy AND the funnel cake AND the biggest most sugary lemonade known to mankind. Give yourself the opportunity and permission to enjoy life again with a sense of childlike wonder. Disconnect from the world and reconnect with yourself- with your inner child. And have some good ol’ fun!