Early Saturday morning I gave up that extra few hours of sleep to make the drive to Columbus, Ohio for a special event, The Country Living Fair. I wanted to attend in the past and it never worked out so I was determined to go this year. My friend from Farm Tails blog wanted to go too so we decided we would do it in a day trip. We were prepared, took the big truck, a waterproof tarp (just in case) and she made pumpkin cookies so we could snack along the way. Three hours later, we made it to the gates.
Luckily, we arrived just as the fair opened--people were coming in by the loads. Notably, there was at least a three to one ratio of women to men. Not hard to figure that one out, I know. In we went and we started with a bang. It only took us five minutes to start spending money. Not too shabby. We found this wonderful pottery booth from upstate New York. Farm Tails bought a beautiful cow and I found a wonderful rooster plate, perfect for my kitchen. The day was promising.
The fall decorations were just gorgeous including bright fabric pumpkins with orange, rust and aubergine textures. The straw hat, plaid shirt wearing scarecrows were so lifelike there wasn't a crow within three miles of the place. Farm Tails and I were oohing and awing at ever turn. At one point, we both sounded like Edith Bunker with her "Oh, Archie," we were so excited.
This was to be no leisurely Saturday stroll at the fair. The sheer size of the event meant we had to maintain a fast pace. But, how to cover the fair and carry our purchases? That's not all, although we had prepared for a large purchase, perhaps a piece of furniture or two, how would we get it to the truck? Unfortunately, for us, a solution came late in the day. We found out the fair offered a porter service which takes purchases and assists with loading. Alas, we were give out. Time had passed us by.
All in all it was a wonderful day. The take-homes--plates, pumpkins, scarecrows, pictures-- were well worth the trip. The purchases we didn't make will be nagging at us for a few days, at least. We left with our arms full and the walk back to the truck was a little more labored than the walk to the fair. A day of laughter, girl talk and shopping is always a good day. As weary as my feet were upon my return last night, it was worth it!
Tips for next year: take a large bag, perhaps a rolling cart, go for large items first and house with the porter. Wear your best walking shoes and park as close to the entrance as you can get. Definitely a fair worth taking in.
21 comments:
Oh you are so lucky to live just three hours away from the Country Living Fair, I have always wanted to go, heck I am just excited you got to go. I hope you post some closeups of your loot. Just the pictures you posted are fantastic.
I bet it was worth the drive.
That looks like a great trip to make! Yesterday was perfect weather too! Here's a tip for your next trip. Go to Tractor Supply and buy one or two of their reusable shopping bags. They are perfect, strong and sturdy bags to have on hand. I use mine all the time when I go to the store. I've also seen people bring in kids wagons last year when I was at the Pumpkin Festival in Milton! I think that is a great idea too!
Have a Great Week!
Angela
Oh Amy what fun! I slowly read through your post and enlarged all the photos. I fell for the blocked print aprons, especially the one sporting the squirrel, I can guarantee that puppy would have come home with me. Oh, and the beautiful cloth pumpkins, just love them. I hope you post the treasures that came home with you, I'll be watching for them.
I so would love to go to the CL fair! Someday... hopefully! I enjoyed all your pictures of the fair and your animals! Thanks for taking a peek at my blog! I don't have time right now but, I will definitely be back to take a better look!
Laurie
Looks like a really fun day to share with a girlfriend. Neat stuff there too!
So glad you had a good time! And yes, that porter service...we have to remember that next year! You're right about the fast pace to get it all in, I'm sure I missed some things. I heard someone say there were 8,000 tickets sold on Friday...wow, that's a lot of folks! Loved your snapshots, thanks for sharing them.
Now that our temperatures have dropped, my mind immediately goes to all things "fall-like". Your post was wonderful and I'm so glad you found someone to go with. At first, I thought you had managed to get your hubby to go along.
Hi Amy
Well, it sounds like you had a great time! So much so that I might try it next year. Great photos! Thanks for sharing!
Teri♥♥♥
I love country fairs. Your pictures are wonderful. Felt like I was there.
Have a great day.
Pam
just noticed your !sittin pretty" guinea fowl pic on the left lovely
Jealous!!!!! One of these days, I say, one of these days. :)
How fun! I think next September, I'll just head out that way for the whole month....so many great shows to go to.
p.s. One day, I'm going to have a miniature donkey. And name him Donkey. They are the cutest things on the planet!
that was fun to see how you blogged about the same thing. i should have shown what i purchased...oh well, thanks again for the invite! i think i am going to google those pumpkins and see what i find! you should do the same with the purple martin house. you have their receipt, could they send you one? a bit expensive but maybe you could get them down on price.
Don't you just love fairs? The photos are great. Looks like a fun time. And yes, a rolling cart would be a good idea next year. Very helpful!!
-Staci
Amy, that sounds like a wonderful fair! I love the magazine, I have been recieving it since the 1980's. Your blog looks great by the way! Dawn
Ooh, what a wonderful day out, lots of clean country fun !
I love times spent enjoying a slower pace, it renews the spirit.
Thank you for stopping by, I am off to have a little read of your older posts, and do hope we can visit back and forth often !
Jo
OHHHHH.... I'm so jealous! How fun! I probably would have brought the big trailer from the farm and just hauled it around behind me to load stuff up on. :) Looks like so much fun!
Sounds like a wonderful way to spend a day.
I've been poking around your blog and I love it! I love donkeys and your pig and her betrothed are so darn cute!
I went to a Country Living Fair a couple of years ago. Wonderful vendors and crafts. Looks like you had a great trip.
I'm drooling over all the stuff! You are very lucky to be a mere 3 hours away. you know that, right? :) Off to read the other Fair report! Sooo lucky you are, I say... :D Thanks for sharing!
-Tammy
This is THE Country Living fair - the magazine one? I have been a subscriber since the 80's lol and I am so glad that the mag has gone back to its roots again - a few years back it started getting really "trendy" rather then "Living" lol but now its on the right path again - You must have had a blast!
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