Erie County Fair

Last week, Poppy and I took Elliott to the Erie County Fair. I have only been to the fair once in my memory. It was not my scene - hundreds of kinds of fried food, loud rides, bright lights, dust everywhere, and people who seemed to appear from the depths of the world. But, as the Mama of a little boy, I knew there was an area of the fair just for us. It was a total hit. We went as soon as the fair opened in the morning and focused on the tractors and animals. I am already planning on a trip back next year!

All ready to head in.



First stop: antique tractors. Let me out!

No, really, let me out! Have you seen the size of these tires??

TRACTORS!!!

Poppy! We need to go over there!

This was the first time I had ever seen a steam tractor.

We walked through a locomotive. On the way out, Elliott grabbed onto the wheel and wouldn't let go.

The antique tractor exhibit.

After the antique tractors, we went into all of the livestock barns. Most were 4-H contenders. Elliott loved seeing all of the animals that we read about but rarely see up close. Here we are in the cow barn.

Moo!

Poppy found a new fan that he just has to have. This would make wind on those stagnant summer nights.

We watched pig races (hilarious) and then went into the moo-ternity ward. This barn housed all varieties of moms about to deliver, moms with young litters, and other young animals. This was a mama pig and her 12 piglets.

The petting zoo was a big hit. Elliott was telling strangers "pet the donkey" (seen in the background in this shot) for days. He liked petting the miniature horse.

Elliott has been asking to "ride pony" for weeks. We finally had our chance. We arrived before the pony rides opened and patiently waited. Poppy bought a ticket and we were ready to go. When we got close to the pony, Elliott tightened his legs around me and had rider's remorse. We talked about it for a few minutes but it just wasn't the day for it. They kindly let us return the ticket. Apparently Elliott was not the first young rider with pony fright.

 

After lunch and wandering through the barns of show horses, Poppy and Elliott went back to see more tractors. 

The local Kubota dealer had a big display of many kinds of tractors. Elliott was once again in heaven.

Let's go see that one!

Big thank you to Poppy for spending this special day with us. Not only did he greatly assist me and my big pregnant belly with a bolting and wiggling toddler, Poppy explained everything to Elliott with great enthusiasm and, most of all, love.