Small Town Fun

Prairie Home, Missouri – Population 227

On the nights of the Fair – Population 228 (just kidding)

Our son and his family live in the little town of Prairie Home, Missouri and this is fair week. So we grabbed a couple of the grandkids (Austin and Dakota) and headed down the road to the Prairie Home Fair.

We’re talking Corn Dogs, Funnel Cakes, Cotton Candy and all the dirt you’d ever want to deal with.

This black stallion and Austin are both giving me the stink eye.

Into the bowels of a fire eating dragon we go.

This is one of those go round and round til you puke rides. I think the boys rode it at least a dozen times.

More circle rides. I’m glad young bellies are stronger than old(er) ones like mine!

We finally met up with a few of the other grandkids. Austin and James are hanging out at the viewing stands waiting for the 4-Wheeler competition (yes, you heard me right – 4 wheeler competition.)

Reagan really is having fun, but someone just tried to take her cotton candy from her and we all know you DO NOT mess with a girls cotton candy…

Dakota, Anna and Austin anxiously awaiting for Allen to compete.

And there he is! Allen Haslag! Number 7, taking his 4-wheeler through the paces. They were an hour and 1/2 late in getting this competition going and it was too dark for my little camera flash to reach to the track. Allen was in the 7 and under class of the competition.

(photos lightened compliments of LadyStyx - thanks Styxie!)

They took turns driving around these OCHA’s, who patiently stood in their assigned places, as fast as they could. Then someone would show the OCHA’s where to move to and they’d take turns going through the paces again. I think Allen took third in his class but don’t know for sure because we HAD to get back to the rides!

Life was not going to be worth living if Dakota and Anna didn’t get to ride on the Ferris wheel but they were too young to ride alone. Finally after much begging, I agreed to buy tickets (5 for the Ferris wheel at $1 each!) and go with them. We waited in line… and waited… and waited… and waited… What is the hold up? They were taking people off and putting people on, but they sure were moving slow. One more group to go and then us! Yea!

What are these gypsies doing arguing? One says it is fine. The other says no way! Then the guy who operates the Ferris wheel throws down his hat, climbs out of the magic control box and stomps off. Sorry folks, the ride is closed!

What! (the kids say) and whew (I say) … I didn’t really want to go on the ride but was being the good grandma. We could have been stuck at the top of that thing! And believe me it took them forever to get everyone off – I kept an eye on it. The Ferris wheel was down for the count.

Back to the boring ol’ Merry Go Round. That works for us just fine.

$15 for each one of those hot pink arm bands that let you ride til you are sick.

$5 for a Ferris Wheel ticket I couldn’t use.

$2 each for countless hot dogs.

$2 each for countless sodas.

$2 each for countless cotton candy.

Worn out for the ride home – Priceless!