Nothing tastes more like summer to me than a warm, crunchy, cinnamon-sugar-covered elephant ear.

For many years, this is why I looked forward to the fair; it was an annual excuse to consume as many calories of deep-fried tasty treats as I could get my hands on. I would walk around the fairgrounds with my family or friends, grab a snack, go visit the horses, grab another snack, go check out some cows, and then, if I was feeling especially brave (and stupid), we’d jump on the Zipper and hope all that food had digested.

Now that I’m older, I still enjoy the greasy grub, but I’ve come to appreciate many other elements of the fair experience.

It completely amazes me how much hard work fair families put in to the fair experience. For many, showing animals and submitting projects is not just a hobby; it’s a lifestyle.

I knew a handful of 4-H participants when I was growing up, but fair participation was not nearly as popular as it is in the more rural areas of Cass County. I’ve learned that in communities like Cassopolis and Dowagiac, and rural parts of Niles, it is more difficult to find youngsters who do not participate in the fair than it is to find participants.

It never ceases to amaze me how excited these young people get when talking about the early mornings and long, hot summer days spent taking care of their animals. These kids forego days at the beach, lounging by the pool or just napping away the lazy days of summer to do physical labor day after day.

I find that quite impressive.

In talking to fair participants, I’ve learned that more often than not, 4-H kids tend to be more articulate and outgoing. In general, fair participants seem more dedicated to their schoolwork and are more involved in extra curricular activities. These students are often leaders in and outside of the classroom who help push others to become leaders as well.

Take Cameron Hayden, for instance. This 20-year-old Cassopolis native said earlier this week that seeing one of the fair participants he has worked with make it to the showmanship sweepstakes would be just as rewarding to him as winning the sweepstakes himself.

Fair programs teach children this kind of leadership and teamwork, and give those who commit to their projects self-discipline that spreads out into all sorts of areas of their lives.

Now when I attend the fair, I take the time to not only go see the animals, but chat with the children who dedicate so much of their time to making the experience possible.

The fried food is just an added bonus.

 

Ambrosia Neldon is the managing editor at Leader Publications. She can be reached by phone at (269) 687-7713, or by email at ambrosia.neldon@leaderpub.com.