Ceciltucky, I mean Cecil County Fair

Last weekend we headed to the Cecil County Fair (MD). They have this huge event every year and we haven't been around in previous years when it was held. We thought it would be a good and fun diversion for Mr. Crankypants. Nope, we were wrong.

In any case, I had never been to a fair before. I think I have only been to carnivals and festivals, but a full blown fair with animals and judges and all of those sorts of things was new to me. I marveled at the beauty of the prize winning steer. Never before have I thought pigs and roosters could be absolutely stunning. For a brief moment I understood the love and care that some of my farmers have for their animals.

(I loved the stripes on these piggies!)

As we walked around we saw some people we knew and started chatting. As it turns out there was to be a demolition derby wedding. Unbelievable. We walked over to the field to see the two cars -- decked out with a tiara and a top hat. The couple would wed that night at the fair where they had been engaged the year before. Their family members lulled about wearing "Wedding Crasher" t-shirts. We were stunned. (Wedding Crashers ABC Interview)


We next moved on to see some bears in the distance. Noah loved the bears at the zoo so we thought it would be a hit. As we got closer we realized how scary the place was. Two men with coonskin hats were pulling 3 bears around on leashes, making them sit in silly cars and go down big metal slides forward and backward. The bears were in costume and had tight harnesses on. Children and adults alike oohed and aaahed as the bears did stupid tricks for their masters. We were apalled at the treatment of the bears and were reminded why we aren't really fans of the circus (I think the circus was super animal friendly compared to this).

We decided to end the strange day with a few rides for Noah. We paid the crazy price for tickets to ride. We walked up to a car ride and the sign said "Under 36 inches must ride with parent" so I got in line with Noah and took him up to a two seater car. I tried to get in with him when I realized that the cars weren't meant for adults (and everyone was staring at me like an idiot!). I asked the man running the ride if I could walk next to it and he said no. I asked how I was supposed to ride with him then... he just told me to get out. Ok.... So, Paul and I waited outside and watched Noah go around for half a turn. The ride stopped and the same ingenious man realized that a small child was standing up in her car and starting to get out --- while the ride was running. I guess he didn't do the seatbelt check. Well, Noah got upset that the ride had stopped and tried to get out too. He got twisted in the seatbelt backwards, started screaming and managed to pee all over the car and the same man (who tried to help him turn around). We yanked him out of the car and gave our remaining tickets to the next person in line.

Needless to say we have no desire to return to the Ceciltucky fair!!!