A Tree Falling in the Forest

MLW, OBB and I went to the State Fair of Virginia yesterday. Growing up I frequented fairs with my family. Fryburg, ME; Acton, ME; Rochester, NH... those were the three I remember going to the most. And I have been going to the State Fair of Virginia for the last half dozen years or so.

First, I am not sure why they call it the State Fair of Virginia. True Virginians only refer to Virginia as a Commonwealth, never a state.

Setting that aside, it should have to earn the title of State Fair. As fairs go, it does not live up to its "State" moniker. I would put it on par with the aforementioned Rochester Fair, which is to say it is the Ford Escort of fairs.

There is just not enough to do and see. Not enough competitions, not enough giant vegetables, not enough demonstrations of tractors and agricultural what-not, and not enough interactive activities. Even the Rochester Fair had horse and tractor pulls, but not the "State Fair of Virginia."

There were plenty of food vendors and lots of crazy crap to buy, but really how many wooden roses or airbrushed tattoos do you really need. I am little bitter because my once-a-year fried dough tasted like an old pizza box. The whole deal is too commercial and generic.

But, I am not giving up hope nor I am giving up on my adopted Commonwealth's State Fair. My solution to the State Fair doldrums? An ATV rodeo. Not a race per se, but rather a test of riding skills in timed competitions for everyday riders with everyday machines. It would be a start.

They have to do something, otherwise its just going to devolve into a crappy flea market.