Last Wednesday the SC State Fair opened with record attendance. That didn't make the front page of the newspaper but the Goodman/Petrey household was very excited. Maybe it was the newly added Krispy Kreme Hamburger or Deep Fried Butter that attracted one and all.
As I've mentioned before, my dad is the General Manager and this was good news. It was also good news to our children that time was drawing near for us to make the annual trip down to Columbia to attend. They've been talking about it since we went last year! Another piece of good news was that Drew ended up being able to take off on Friday so we headed down on Thursday night to soak in another day of wonderful fair experience. :)
Our children like the animals as well as the rides (and the food, of course) but we decided to try to do as many rides as possible on Friday since Saturday would be busy and crowded. Evie enjoyed the cars and Ward wanted to ride them as well but was too short. I told him I'd give him some growing beans so he could ride next year. ;)
There was also an animal show with tigers and exotic birds and cats (read cheetah-like) that we got to see. They also had the animals where you could see them up close and personal in between shows. These are Ring Tailed Lemurs. Pretty neat!
Not a Macaw but something like it. My memory fails me right now.Evie and I also rode a dragon roller coaster. Here's a little video. You can see my green shirt and us waving.
This would be one of two big things that happened this year. Evie rode the Ferris Wheel! This was not the kiddie ride but the real one. She and I rode it together and were thankfully able to have a "bucket" all to ourselves. She was scared at first but did really well once we got moving. Oh, and Cade rode as well since he was strapped to me.
A view of the Fairgrounds from atop the Ferris Wheel.
We went to a Junior Showmanship Cow Exhibition. First thing we see is two little girls about 5 years old leading out two different cows. We could see Evie doing this.
Our good friends, the Collmers, who have several food vending booths were there as always. Their youngest, Ava, arrived Friday afternoon and we picked her up to go do some rides with us. She is only 3 months younger than Mary Fran and they are always fast buddies. They're also about the same size.
Ward and Mary Fran rode the Merry-Go-Round on the bench while...
...Daddy stood beside Evie and Ava. Don't worry the younger ones rode with me.
Saturday morning we went to the Junior Horse Show and loved it. Of course we had to go do the pony rides afterwards. Evie got to ride Black Jack and...
...Ward rode Spike. Mary Fran elected to pass this year. She said when she's 6 she'll ride one.
It was nice and warm so Snow Cones were definitely in order!
This was the second Merry-Go-Round ride and the second big thing that happened. You can't see it but Mary Fran is on the other side of Drew and Ava. This was a BIG DEAL as MF has repeatedly said she just wants to ride on the bench. Way to go, Mary Fran!
MeMe and the Wardster
Evie and Ava got to ride on the first car of the train ride and ring the bell. That was fun! MF elected to sit this one out.
The swings
The crowd was really building outside so we decided to go inside and tour some of the buildings. Inside the Cantey Building was an exhibit where kids could be a "farmer for a day." Evie's reading that sign. :)
They got to dig for potatoes as they are here, gather pretend eggs and pick pretend apples off a tree. It was really neat and I highly recommend everything in the Cantey Building for any who are going to the Fair, with or without children.
We also hit the Moore Building near the end of our journey to tour all the handmade crafts and baked good that have been entered. Oh, and the piping hot chocolate chip Otis Spunkmeyer cookies are also a nice draw!
This would be one of two big things that happened this year. Evie rode the Ferris Wheel! This was not the kiddie ride but the real one. She and I rode it together and were thankfully able to have a "bucket" all to ourselves. She was scared at first but did really well once we got moving. Oh, and Cade rode as well since he was strapped to me.
A view of the Fairgrounds from atop the Ferris Wheel.
We went to a Junior Showmanship Cow Exhibition. First thing we see is two little girls about 5 years old leading out two different cows. We could see Evie doing this.
Our good friends, the Collmers, who have several food vending booths were there as always. Their youngest, Ava, arrived Friday afternoon and we picked her up to go do some rides with us. She is only 3 months younger than Mary Fran and they are always fast buddies. They're also about the same size.
Ward and Mary Fran rode the Merry-Go-Round on the bench while...
...Daddy stood beside Evie and Ava. Don't worry the younger ones rode with me.
Saturday morning we went to the Junior Horse Show and loved it. Of course we had to go do the pony rides afterwards. Evie got to ride Black Jack and...
...Ward rode Spike. Mary Fran elected to pass this year. She said when she's 6 she'll ride one.
It was nice and warm so Snow Cones were definitely in order!
This was the second Merry-Go-Round ride and the second big thing that happened. You can't see it but Mary Fran is on the other side of Drew and Ava. This was a BIG DEAL as MF has repeatedly said she just wants to ride on the bench. Way to go, Mary Fran!
MeMe and the Wardster
Evie and Ava got to ride on the first car of the train ride and ring the bell. That was fun! MF elected to sit this one out.
The swings
The crowd was really building outside so we decided to go inside and tour some of the buildings. Inside the Cantey Building was an exhibit where kids could be a "farmer for a day." Evie's reading that sign. :)
They got to dig for potatoes as they are here, gather pretend eggs and pick pretend apples off a tree. It was really neat and I highly recommend everything in the Cantey Building for any who are going to the Fair, with or without children.
We also hit the Moore Building near the end of our journey to tour all the handmade crafts and baked good that have been entered. Oh, and the piping hot chocolate chip Otis Spunkmeyer cookies are also a nice draw!Here is a magnificent cake honoring the Gamecock's National Championship!
I thought this cake was absolutely perfect. If you can't make it out, it says "A House Divided." :)
I thought this cake was absolutely perfect. If you can't make it out, it says "A House Divided." :)As I said we had a wonderful but exhausting time at the Fair. It was so good to see old friends and spend time with family. On Sunday we had a wonderful picnic with mom at a park in Irmo before we left. The weather was absolutely beautiful all weekend. Now we're recovering but it was well worth it. Until next year!
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