Fair Time! Thursday through Sunday

I am finally going to get around to posting about our two weeks at the Missouri State Fair.  We always look forward to this event with a great sense of anticipation and in some ways, trepidation.  It is easily one of our very favorite things to do, but we always know that when the fair ends, summer is also officially over.  Ahh... the good and the bad of things.  :)

The theme of this fair, for us, seemed to have been 'People'.  We enjoyed more time with friends and family than in any year that I can remember.  How wonderful!  And, to chronicle it all, Jackson and I took over 1800 photos between the two of us!  Don't worry... I won't post them all here.   :D

We headed down, along with Mama, Daddy and Anna, on Wednesday, Aug. 8th - arriving in the afternoon in not too bad temperatures.  It was a far cry from the way the rest of the summer had gone - with typical temps well over 100 degrees.  I couldn't believe how perfect the fair weather was - 80's and 90's the entire time!  Zack and his family had been in Branson and they ran him up to us Wednesday evening.

Thursday morning we headed out for the opening ceremony, this year across from the state fair fire station, which was celebrating its 50th year of operation at the fair.  Happily, we ran into Professor Farquar before the ceremony even began and he stopped to perform a couple magic tricks for us.  He is definitely one of our all time favorites!

Zack, Professor Farquar, Anna

Daddy onstage for the opening ceremony

We managed to get in quite a few shows that opening day including the Nerveless Nocks Thrill Show, the Bald Eagle Returns (sponsored by MO Dept. of Conservation), a bit of the state fair queen contest, the opening parade (complete with stealth bomber fly-over) and Jackson & Anna even made it to the rodeo Thursday evening.  Throw in a 'dollar day corndog' and some relaxing time at the camper and it made for a pretty fantastic start to the fair.

Nerveless Nocks Thrill Show

Bald Eagle Returns presetation

Daddy in the parade

stealth bomber fly-over

Jackson and Anna heading to the rodeo

one of Jackson's great shots at the rodeo

Friday we were joined by Adrian as well as Julie and the Matheney's.  Deborah and Lorree from Arizona also rolled in that day in their RV, which we parked right next to Uncle Mitch's camper (which housed Troy, Julie and their crew the first weekend of the fair).  Some of the shows and events we took in on Friday included In Capable Hands performing at the Touchstone Energy Stage and Cowboy Mounted Shooting at the Matthewson Center.  Then all the 'kids' went to the Justin Moore/Josh Thompson concert while Marvin, Julie and I accompanied Mama, Daddy, Deborah and Loree out to dinner at Golden Corral.   :)  We all met up back at the camper at the end of another good day.

In Capable Hands - very entertaining show

Mama, Lorree, Daddy and Deborah with the owner of The Hacienda mexican restaurant at the fair.

Brenda and Matt at the Conservation building.

Cowboy Mounted Shooting

Another great Jackson shot...

Saturday was another busy day with a whole crew of folks at the fair.  We took in the Sea Lion Splash show, watched a tremendously talented group of young men called Six Appeal,  (you have to really read that carefully when it is in small print in the schedule!!)  played with bubbles and enjoyed the mule show.

Zack, Adrian, Melina, Jackson and Megan

Sea Lion Splash show

Six Appeal a cappella group

Janna and Julie (S.)

Anna

In particular, we all got a kick out of this little girl who was showing her miniature jumping mule. Her whole little body was so determined to show her mule, yet when she got him to the jump, he just didn't want to do it.  Finally, she would hand it over to her Mom, step on the other side of the jump and start clapping; which, of course, got the entire audience clapping along with her!  Finally he would jump and she would get so excited she would jump up and down.  She definitely became a fan favorite.  When they were finally eliminated she walked out of the arena then turned back around at the gate to wave at her adoring audience.  I do believe we saw a future state fair queen that day!   :D

Saturday evening the 'kids' all went to the Montgomery Gentry/38 Special concert while the rest of us 'old folks' relaxed back at the camper.  :)

Sunday was a little gray and overcast, but the temperature was perfect.  All the kids spent a good part of the morning hanging around the campers playing football.  That afternoon we attended the Military Appreciation Ceremony at the Matthewson Center.  Once again, the Patriot Guard Riders came into the arena one by one then gave their 'salute' of revving their engines all at once.  I tell you, that is a powerful moment.  

Melina, Jonathan, Anna, Matthew, Zack, Jackson, Adrian and Megan

Marvin, Julie S., Mama and Daddy

Julie, Mama and Daddy 

Patriot Guard Riders

There are SO many terrific photos from this jam-packed four days.  You can see a full album of them by clicking this link.