A Lighter View
Fair fare
By K.E.H. Stagg

Oct. 15, 2009

The only thing more difficult than keeping track of the elusive apostrophe in Farmers Fair—which has become a non-issue for those of you alert enough to notice—is deciding what to eat first when the fair opens. All of us locals know that for sheer delectability, Farmers Fair has no equal. Sure, many fairs in the Keystone State (and elsewhere, for that matter) offer popcorn, french fries and fried veggies—even funnel cakes—but not every fair boasts pumpkin funnel cakes and fried pickles.

Some year when my time is my own, I hope to be able to attend the full week’s events; until then, I have to limit myself to the weekend. However, I do try to vary my routine in order to take in more activities and taste test new items, but I find that certain traditions developed over time because they are sure to please.

Saturday is the pinnacle of my Farmers Fair. I start out early, hitting baked goods stands for breakfast while patronizing as many yard sales and flea market vendors as possible. The early start also assures me of a decent parking spot, since some sluggards are still sleeping off the night before, and later on there won’t be a parking spot closer than Gettysburg.

By mid-morning, I’m laden with enough bags that warrant lugging back to my car for stowage before setting off on the next round, which is devoted to checking out the antique cars, tractors and street rods; swinging through the community hall to check out this year’s prize-winning artwork and handicrafts and remaining on high alert for yard sales on the town’s side streets that might require making a purchase.

By the time I’ve finished my rounds, I’m ready for a pork barbecue sandwich and pumpkin funnel cake lunch, then it’s off to see the animals and hope that the pickle flinging pneumatic devices have been re-instated to the fair’s line-up. It hasn’t been for the last 3 years running, but that doesn’t stop me from hoping. That leaves me just enough time to nip home for a nap then bundle up for the trek back downtown to sample more delectable items and hang out on the sidewalk to watch the Fantastic Parade.

While half the fun of Farmers Fair is food, the other half is definitely its social aspect. I reconnect with friends and former neighbors, finding out what they’ve been up to in the 364 days since we last met and sharing new favorites discovered at this year’s fair. It’s a time to see and be seen; a time when new babies are shown off, new boyfriends introduced to the public and new friendships struck up over yard sale tables or food stalls. We catch up on one another’s jobs, weight gains and losses and who’s married whom in our circle of acquaintances. We swap information on which businesses are closing, which are reported to be opening and quite often cast a critical sartorial eye over what fairgoers are wearing.

The South brags about its cotillions and the East hypes its debutante balls, but for sheer enjoyment, there’s nothing to rival Farmers Fair, the pinnacle of Dillsburg’s social season!