Published Date: September 29, 2015
County fairs have their share of downsides: the sweltering heat, overpriced and unhealthy food, and a pervasive layer of dirt that seems to cling to everything. Crowds are a given, lines stretch endlessly, and you inevitably leave feeling exhausted and burdened with an assortment of souvenirs.
Yet, children adore the fair. One evening, as we passed by the bustling fairgrounds on our way home, my kids erupted with excitement from the backseat.
“Can we go, Mommy? Look at the ferris wheel!”
“No, not tonight. We have to get home and prepare for bed; school is tomorrow.”
While it would have been more practical to visit the fair before school started, this year it coincided with the first week back. With a tight budget in mind, we usually limit our weeknight activities. However, with family visiting and no plans for the next evening, a spontaneous idea struck me. Perhaps we should indulge in a little fun—I suggested we go to the fair.
So we made the unexpected choice to say yes to our kids. Yes to late-night rides on a school night. Yes to the pricey games that popped balloons and tested our strength. We held onto our cheesy prizes, reminiscent of dollar store finds, as we navigated the fun house’s zigzagging steps and monkey tunnels.
We munched on gigantic corn dogs and cotton candy while my youngest sported ketchup-stained cheeks and sticky fingers. After an epic inflatable sword duel with his dad, he collapsed on the ground, playfully pretending to be defeated, covered in fair dust.
We took a spin on the merry-go-round, enjoyed the tugboat, and marveled at daring stunts performed by cannon shooters and bike riders. The kids were thrilled to witness their parents laugh heartily, especially as we were splashed on one of the wild rides. We swung high on the swings and cheered as the little one fished rubber ducks from a pool for more prizes, losing track of time as the lines for the children’s rides dwindled.
With great satisfaction, I acquiesced to nearly every request for junk food and games. We ended the night with stuffed animals, a handful of toy swords, and big, radiant smiles. The boys chatted excitedly in the backseat on the way home, swinging their neon swords and marveling at the glowing patterns they created on the ceiling. I drove in silence, filled with joy, realizing how refreshing it felt to break from our routine.
Once home, we reminisced about our adventure while tucking the little one into bed. I let the older sibling stay up late, skipping bath time. We all fell asleep a little dirty but incredibly happy. It truly was a night to remember.
The next day, the children headed to school with dirt-smudged shoes and ride stamps on their arms. While some might view them as messy or unkempt, they wore their memories with pride. For three and a half hours, we relished in carefree fun. Despite any dirt or extra baggage we carried home, the joy we experienced was worth it. I hope my boys hold onto the fond memories of that night we decided to say yes.
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Summary
In a spontaneous decision, a mother embraces the chaos of a county fair, letting her children indulge in fun, food, and laughter on a school night. Despite the messiness and exhaustion, the joy and memories created that evening become cherished moments for the family.