Happy Tuesday, friends!
It’s time for another edition of TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE.
You know the drill, I’ll name my TOP FIVE favorite things about a topic…and then my BOTTOM FIVE.
Just in time for the State Fair of Texas and Oktoberfest here in McKinney, today’s topic is:
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: THINGS ABOUT A FAIR/CARNIVAL…
Well, you know I love any sort of fair or carnival. Give me a reason to celebrate an occasion outside with my family and I’m there. Throw in any sort of “tradition” around it, and well, I’m there AND being obnoxiously giddy too.
We are fair and carnival people over here…but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t a few underrated aspects and thus today’s list.
Grab something fried to eat, sit by a petting zoo and settle in…it’s my TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: THINGS ABOUT A FAIR/CARNIVAL .
#5: THE WEATHER
I love any sort of outdoor event where I could possibly stroll through and enjoy it while comfortably sipping coffee. That’s a lie, I really have a lower bar. I just don’t want to sweat profusely while at said fair or carnival. Outdoor events with great weather are my JAM!
#4: THE FOOD
I mean, why don’t people sell candles called “At the Carnival”? The smell of “anything fried” speaks to me. I love a corn dog (in Texas, we call them corny dogs) at a fair!
#3: THE COMMUNITY
Carnivals and fairs give you a sense of small town community even in a big town. The Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex is a huge area with over 6 million residents and yet every single year, it feels like you can make “fair” conversation with literally everyone. From your pastor to the person checking you out at the grocery store, everyone has been/is going/has thoughts/wants to chat about it. It just makes big communities feel small when you have a fair or carnival. Even McKinney is a nice size town, but when we host a carnival on our square, it instantly has this small town charm. I love it.
#2: IT’S FESTIVE/SEASONAL
Whether it’s McKinney’s Spring in Bloom festival or Oktoberfest or the Christmas weekend, it’s just FESTIVE! If it’s spring, I want to go somewhere and appreciate the flowers. If it’s fall, I want to hear German music and see people in lederhosen, if it’s Christmas, I want the wassail and roasted chestnuts roasting while I walk from booth to booth. I LOVE a seasonal event!
#1: IT’S A TRADITION
The older my kids get, the more I appreciate these events because they have now become traditions my teens still want to partake in with us. My kids might not be interested in going to the movies with us that often and they’re happy to skip a Friday night dinner from time to time, but if I tell them we’re heading to Oktoberfest or the State Fair of Texas, they want in on it too. These traditions are sentimental memory makers and my heart gets full each time.
So, those are my TOP FIVE, but what about my…
#5: IT’S EXPENSIVE
I mean, for the love, it’s expensive. From parking to entry tickets to over-priced items my kids get when they shoot a basket into a hoop (they won a cheap prize and yet those three basket shots cost me $5!). It is just not cheap to go to a fair or carnival.
#4: WEATHER
As much as the weather can be in my TOP FIVE, holy cow, it frustrates me when the weather stinks at a fair or carnival. I don’t want to sweat while walking around. I don’t want to be holding an umbrella with wet shoes on my feet, and I hate wind. I love the lovely weather and I loathe the unfortunate weather.
#3: PETTING ZOOS
Yeah, I just think they’re gross. My kids love them and for years now, I’ve gotten in there with them…but please, I don’t need to pet a sheep or a donkey and then accidentally step on goat poop with 50 other people in a small area. It smells, it’s icky…I’m not into it.
#2: PAYING WITH TICKETS/CARDS/VOUCHERS
I cannot stand…CANNOT STAND…when we go to a fair or carnival and instead of just walking up to buy my corny dog, I have to first wait in a long line to buy tickets and then use tickets to buy my food. I know, I know, I know there is a reason for this madness, but it drives me crazy. I hate keeping up with tickets/having too many tickets/not having enough tickets/having to go back and stand in the long ticket line because we’ve run out of tickets…it’s maddening to me.
#1: THE RIDES
Yeah, nope. I don’t love rides that can be assembled in one day. I know they’re probably super safe, but you know, I’m good. They make me nervous just looking at them from the ground, so I really don’t want to get on one and hope that the guy the day before put the screw in the right place. I try really, really hard to avoid fair/carnival rides.
Okay, it wouldn’t be a TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE without Andrew weighing in too.
ANDREW’S TOP FIVE:
5: I really like the original/different/festive adult beverages you can typically find.
4: I love the sense of community.
3: Eating a bit of something fun that I normally don’t enjoy like maybe a corn dog or funnel cake or something crazy that’s fried.
2: I like the festive spirit and that it’s usually associated with some sort of tradition or holiday like Oktoberfest and Christmas.
1: The weather is usually really good.
ANDREW’S BOTTOM FIVE:
5: The line for face painting is always the longest, and that’s always the one my kids want to stand in.
4: You spend $674 on an stuffed animal that costs 75 cents.
3: I don’t mind trying things, but I don’t want to eat an entire meal that’s fried.
2: Rides make me want to throw up.
1: If it’s hot, I don’t want to go. I’m out with the heat.
And those, my friends, are our TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: THINGS ABOUT A FAIR/CARNIVAL!
Don’t forget to check out these other TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE blog posts:
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: ICE CREAM FLAVORS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: SPRING CLEANING
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: TRAVELING BY PLANE
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: SKIING WITH YOUR FAMILY
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CHRISTMAS MOVIES
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: HALLOWEEN CANDY
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CEREALS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: HOUSEHOLD CHORES
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: CHRISTMAS SONGS
TOP FIVE, BOTTOM FIVE: THANKSGIVING FOODS
Okay, I feel like you guys are going to have thoughts and opinions. I cannot wait to read the blog comments below!
Please comment and share!
Have the best day, friends! xx
Emilee says
I’ve said for years that we need a “drive through” option for our state fair in Iowa. All I need is a corn dog and a lemonade, please. I can skip seeing the butter cow. 😅
~B~ says
Emilee! I’m from Iowa also and I love this idea! I just want to order ahead and try some of the fun-crazy-fried food options we have here at the Iowa State Fair by driving up! 🙂 🙂
Emi says
I LOVE a good fair/carnival. Here in NJ I’ve never seen one where you had to buy tickets for food. You only have to purchase tickets for rides/attractions. Face painting, good, etc. is just (mostly) cash; some take cc.
Kristen Thompson says
I am right there with you with the rides-no thank you!!!
Elspeth says
I love seeing all cute vendors and booths and trying unique foods, but not a fan of how expensive everything is! But I do love a good excuse to go to any fair or festival!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Erin says
For me, the rides are a no-go! They were just in pieces on the back of a semi rolling down the road an hour ago. Nope!
Jess says
As you are now a Massachusetts resident, you must attend the Big E someday! It’s all the New England states at one three weekish long fair. All the typical fair stuff but what makes the Big E special is each state has its own state building with their state specialty local foods and vendors for each state. It is located in Mass! Such a fun New England experience!
Meg says
Yes! The state buildings are the best part!!!
Amy Heinl says
There is nothing better than a fair or festival and you both captured top and bottom 5 perfectly. Only thing I would add is we love the tractor pulls and demolition derby that are always at our fair.
My biggest peeve which you captured is the cost. The last couple of years our fair changed to one price admission that includes all your rides (unlinited) and your admission fee. It’s been a game changer and I love that I am no longer waiting for ride tickets. The kids have their wristbands on and can ride whatever ride they want as often as they want. They also eliminated tickets for food and you either pay by cash or by card. Our fair has a dining hall that offers a homemade dinner so we eat there as a family. Then I give each kid 10 bucks that they can get drink or snack throughout the evening. Then when we meet up to head home everyone gets a treat for the ride home like ice cream, or cotton candy, or Carmel apple….just something small to wrap up the day
We also the two months leading up to yhe fair offer a big chores chart that yhe kids can earn money for their game playing which they are responsible for funding on their own either through their money they saved throughout the year or by earning it from the chart. The big gamers are always anxious to earn as much as possible so we knock some big chores off our family to do list. It’s amazing how much the kids change their gaming habits when they are playing on their own dime.
Great topic today
SS says
What a fun list…our county fair just ended over the weekend. I grew up going to fair because my parents raced horses.
Bottom 5
5. The bathrooms- I try not to use them but if I do and don’t have change (after washing) my hands and said attendant is there…ugh the look for not paying to potty!!!
4. The paging system- I think the same person has been there my whole life and still sounds like the teacher from Charlie Brown.
3. The weather…. This year hot, but there have been years where we are in winter jackets….and usually in the same week!!
2. Walking through 4-H barns. I know they all work hard but why do I want to walk through and look at rear ends of animals? 😂
1. I agree with you both price. Ugh. So expensive. Hubby & I said remember when that water shoot game was like $1…$5 for one try. Yikes.
Top 5
5. It does bring excitement and to me start of fall because ours is always in September.
4. Fair food…some are just traditional…big bucket of fries with malt vinegar and salt (we aren’t salt people usually).
3. Just being there at different times. I used to like early in the morning when only certain food booths would fill the air. Kiddo said the lights at night…I said good one.
2. It’s where most of my family members saw their first concert. As a kid I saw Mickey Gilley, Louise Mandrell, John Schneider (Bo Duke). Newer John Michael Montgomery, Trea Landon, Nelly. We have met a few performers too.
1. Tradition- since my Dad passed we still go one day to watch a few races and get the traditional food he would always get with us after the races.
Mix and Match Mama says
Yay!! I love, love, loved looking over your Top Five/Bottom Five too!!
Lisa N says
Love this! And agree with both of you:) Our small railroad town (3 traffic lights) host a RR Festival every April. And we go for the food! Our favorite is the Pentecostal Hamburger. Local church has sponsored the booth for years and they finally had a sign made because that’s what everyone called them anyway:)
Also, during the 2020 shutdown and no festival, me and my daughters recreated our favorite carnival meals at home each night on the week that should’ve been the festival. Kelly posted pictures on Facebook and many jumped on board. Hamburgers, Onion Petals, homemade corny dogs, pork kabobs and more. So fun!
Nicole says
Where is this railroad festival you speak of?!!? My train loving husband would love this! He spent a day last week chasing the Big Boy through Missouri!
Lisa N says
DeQuincy, Louisiana 2nd Weekend in April (Thurs, Fri and Sat), every year. No entry fee:) Located at the old depot/museum with tons of railroad history and an old timers reunion every festival.
Laci says
I need to attend the fair as an adult and see how I feel. We went as kids and I remember loving it, but I was always afraid of the rides.
Kay says
This is awesome! I was born in Minnesota and have such fond memories of the state fair! (I live on the East Coast now). I actually totally agree with your lists, especially the tickets. They are the worrrrrrst.
One of my top 5s is seeing the crafts (including baking) that people get prizes for. So much of what we all do now is online so I love seeing a homemade quilt, a jar of jam, etc.
This was a fun post!
Julianna says
It’s tradition! I remember reading your family’s “fair story” years ago and now I have one of my own. Both of my kids were born during our county’s fair week. We have a funny photo of me at 40 weeks pregnant, eating funnel cake fries in front of a sign that says “birthing center” (where all the baby farm animals are born). Two years later, I stood in the same spot with my daughter while 40 weeks pregnant with my son. Now, we take a picture there every year. I can’t wait to go TONIGHT with my almost 3 & 5 year old!
Mix and Match Mama says
AWWWWWWW!!!!! This comment gives me all the feels!!!! Thank you, thank you for sharing!!
Casey says
During my child’s field trip to our local fair with preschoolers, in the petting zoo, a large animal, maybe a llama charged at a little 4 yr old child!! It was awful and the preschool waited 3 yrs before taking that field trip again!
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh my gosh! That’s terrible!
Julie says
Yep! I only trust Disney/Universal rides. None of this pack it up and hit the road! 😂
Kerry says
Give me all of the funnel cakes and candy apples. I’ll leave the carnival rides to the kids. I just can’t wrap my head around riding in something that was assembled in a day. I’m totally with you on that!
Kacey says
The weather, the smells, the community, the animal pulls, the skillet throwing contests, I love it all!!! My family has been going to the Fryeburg Fair (ME) since I was little and it’s one of my favorite days of the year. Last year, however, was about 75 degrees and what a bummer that was!! For Maine that’s a hottt fair day and it just wasn’t the same. Fingers crossed for chilly weather this year!
MelanieL says
“Grab something fried to eat, sit by a petting zoo and settle in” LOL!! I always love these and crack up! I’m with you on everything and I mostly hate the rides because those TICKETS and the expense. But…my sweet dad is a retired state elevator inspector (Indiana) and amusement rides fell under their jurisdiction so this is my PSA that they are definitely being inspected post set-up (even those little pop up fairs) so next time ride that rickety Ferris wheel! 🙂
Alison says
I’m from Minnesota and LOVE our State Fair. It’s been a longtime tradition since I was a little girl (for many reasons) and I instilled that same feeling with my own kids. It runs for 12 days from end of Aug through Labor Day. My oldest is a sophomore in college and for the last two years, he made sure we got our family day in before he went back to school. 😀 We usually go opening day or the second day because the bathrooms would fall in my bottom five. Bathrooms at a fair/festival are unavoidable but they are just gross. Lol
Lisa Elliott says
I agree with several of your likes and dislikes!!
Jaime says
Can you do a Top 5, Bottom 5 disney world Rides?
Mix and Match Mama says
Great idea!!!
Melissa says
I love the fun and tradition of a fair. The food is a no for me. The thought of it makes my stomach hurt. 😂
Beth Valenta says
Oh the State Fair of Va! My tops are the pig races, prizes for largest pumpkins, etc, the country music with adult bev area, and the bottom are the lines, the dreadful parking out in a field that I cannot possibly find my car again, and yes the rides. I got stuck on the top of a ferris wheel when I was little and it has scarred me. LOL
Erika Slaughter says
There’s nothing I don’t love about a fair/festival!!
Faith says
My girls are 23, 21, and 19 and our local fair was a tradition for years. Yes to fair food! Now I don’t want everything fried but love to support local churches and purchase their well known chicken pot pies or a good burger. Yes to a candy apple, cotton candy and kettle corn. But I agree – I’m not getting on those rides and always held my breath when they were on them. And why does it have to be so expensive!? We haven’t been in a couple of years and I’m okay with that – we’ve started other traditions. But we had some fun memories for sure! I’m sure when grandchildren enter the picture, fair days will come again.
Christy Ryan says
Sharing this fun fact in case you or your Texas readers don’t know this. But State Fair of Texas tickets don’t expire! I’ve gone to the fair for my whole life and never knew this. We would always end up going through the line twice because we didn’t want to over buy and would try so hard to gauge it right based one what food we thought we would buy.
But then a ticket lady a couple of years ago said that they don’t expire! It does take being a little organized…so I keep them in a file in my desk and keep a reoccurring calendar reminder for every September. But now no more stressing on how many to buy.
Hope says
My kids are grown but have already asked for us to go to the fair as a family♥️. They love traditions! We get there early! Hubby gets roasted corn and fresh squeezed lemonade right inside the gate😃 We always watch the lumberjack show, see the farm animals in the exhibit halls, and just graze all day. We get ice cream from the same place, the university ice cream shop. No one cares about rides thank goodness and not really big on games. My son has always like those fun houses you walk through that are like mazes. Kettle corn to take home and we are done.
sandi says
So, I just googled my state to see if we even have a state fair… surprise, we do. But it is several hours away. We live in an urban area and I don’t recall seeing ads for fairs or carnival types of activities. A quick google search reveled that in fact we do have some coming to cities within an hour of us…
Spirit Fest: holistic metaphysical crystal expo: no thank you
Pickle Fest: pickle eating contest, pickle themed drinks and a pickle buffet, I like pickles, just not that much
Wine and Ice Cream Festival: general admission tickets are $100 so no
Mac and Cheese Festival: this one I might just have to try out because mac & cheese is pure comfort food
If I extend the trip to within and hour and a half to two hours, there is a cat festival for cat people and a vegan festival.
Goodness, look at all the fun things I have been missing!
Grace says
When you mentioned fried foods, my main thing is the funnel cakes! Those are the best!
Gail says
We took our kids to the Texas State Fair once. We spent hundreds of dollars and never went back. I’d rather spend that kind of money on a vacation and not junk.
Sande W says
Corny dog? I’m born and raised in TX and have never heard this. Would love a poll on this. 😃
Mix and Match Mama says
Have you ever been to the State Fair?! That’s what they’re called!
Susan says
East Texas girl here. We always say corny dog.
Kara says
Do they have elephant ears in TX?! I’d pick that over a funnel cake every time! 🙂 It is still fried dough but flat with cinnamon/sugar all over it and it is the best!! Ohio has a ton of smaller festivals (the famous Circleville pumpkin show, Corn festivals, Zucchini festivals ect) and they make so many crazy things out of those specific ingredients- think pumpkin pizza!
Jill says
I with you on the rides in hat are built in a day! I do like that big long slide though. Laughing next to your people going down is so good!
Beth Hall says
Pro:
People watching. So many different types from all walks of life, brought together at the fair. There is something for everyone. My late husband always wore dress clothes even when running errands. One year we were in line for the wristbands he had on a dress shirt, tie, the whole 9 yards. I heard someone say “look, that guys wearing a suit!” We laughed so hard!
Lights. I like to go in afternoon and stay until it gets dark. The night sky and the bright lights of the causeway are so pretty. It’s not as fun if you leave during the daylight hours.
Shows/contests/pageantry. I’m fascinated with the various competitive animal showings. Like FFA stuff. I don’t know anything about it but watching kids parade around their prize goat is so fun. Kids dressed in belt buckles and sparkly shirts, the attire is so interesting to me. And their focus on the judges!
Cons:
Animal smell. Phew!
Scary looking carnies. I know you aren’t a murderer, right?
Cost. If you are tired of having $500, take 5 people to the fair!
Rides. Scary as heck. No way!
Kristy Moore says
I don’t think I’ve ever agreed with a ‘Top 5/Bottom 5’ post more! We have the same problem up here at the Calgary Stampede. However in terms of weather it’s trying to avoid the crazy Thunderstorms/Hail storms, but the Chuckwagon races and rodeo make it all worth it!
I’m a big ride person, but never considered how fast they put them up-maybe I’ll be second guessing my choices for my 2 minute thrills now! 😛
Kandi Barber says
My number one of all time is…COTTON CANDY..yum, delicious. Yes it makes you a sticky mess – totally worth it!
Debbie Hibbert says
What a fun post, Shay!
My town has their annual Strawberry Festival. After the parade “The World’s Largest Strawberry Shortcake” is served! A near by town has the Scandinavian Festival that I absolutely love. And every day I use the pots/pans (and “free” stainless silverware that came with them!) that I bought at the Oregon State Fair 49 years ago!😁
Top Five:
1. The exhibits
2. The building where people make/show things (quilts, decorated cakes, etc.)
3. The atmosphere, people watching, etc.
4. The “once a year” food
5. The entertainment (music, dog show, etc.)
Bottom Five:
1. The parking (I’m forever losing my car!)
2. Barn smells
3. The rides (don’t trust them!)
4. The games (so expensive, stupid prizes)
5. The expense!
Nikki says
These are some of my favorite posts!
Cathy Perez says
I’m with you on those long lines to buy tickets, you never have enough or too much.
Marisa Patel says
You both hit the nail on the head with the top 5 and bottom 5. The lines are the worst for the tickets and FACE PAINTING! Last year, while doing the petting zoo thing, someone else’s little boy was unattended and decided to run up to my daughter to grab a bunny from her. This caused the bunny to freak out, bite my daughter on the neck/shoulder, and scratch her chest and arm. It ruined the rest of the carnival for her.
Holly C. says
So agree with paying $674 for a .50 toy!!!! URRGGGH!!!