We can see the progress, little by little, as we pass it every day on our way to school. The blue iron poles are attached to the red track rising high into the air. Cars on impossibly thin wires hang swaying gently in the breeze. They slowly rotate in a line from one end of the lot to the other. Huge flatbed tracks arrive bearing loads of parts and machinery, looking like giant tinker toys. The trucks will empty quickly, as unseen mechanics race to assemble the parts in time.
The parking lot will fill this week as the workers arrive. Carrying with them their own culture, they come in from small towns and big cities. This is harvest time for them and they are prepared to work (and play) hard. They seem faceless, but definitely have sound when they cajole the crowds to spend their money and win a prize. They bring their homes attached to cars and trucks; and when the work day is done, no one outside of this tightly knit community is allowed in.
By contrast are the people in the competition buildings. We dropped off a sewing entry for our aunt and stopped to observe the ladies come and go. All were flushed with enthusiasm, bearing carefully polished jars of canned goods or pressed clothing. Some were dollmakers, others knitters creating unbelievably lovely blankets and throws. The ladies are all ages and backgrounds but share a common respect for each other and their craft. This is a club where any are welcome.
The scent of the food will fill the air on Thursday, our mouths water in anticipation. It is a warm smell, somehow comforting, that drifts along the main roads for miles. Something that tastes this good couldn’t possibly be bad for you. When the food is brought home for later, the scent lingers in the car, reminding us of our day.
We began to watch for it last week and will continue to do so well after it’s over. This is part of the excitement. The State Fair is coming.
