Doin' the Puyallup

You can do it at a trot.  You can do it at a gallup. You can do it real slow so your heart won't palpitate. Just don't be late. Do the Puyallup!

Who doesn't remember this jingle?  Growing up in Tacoma, the Puyallup fair was as much a part of September as the start of school.  It meant a free dress day at school and early dismissal so we could all go.  Even my 8th grade math teacher worked afternoons and weekends there.  When I think of the fair I immediately conjure up the smells of greasy food, the excitement of the possibility of going on a ride or two, the shows (and the boredom of the hours spent walking the exhibition halls without complaint in order to hopefully earn a scone and a ride).  

Moving away from Pierce County, I haven't been in years.  It just doesn't seem like as big a deal in Seattle.  After seeing how much fun my cousin and her kids had at the fair last year, I knew I needed to go.  I tried to plan ahead--don't go on a weekend, fewer crowds, bring an extra adult (or three), lots of cash, pack a lunch for the kids.  I enlisted both my parents and my brother to go with us while Dave was at work.

My dad was so excited to share the Puyallup Fair with the grandkids. I'm glad he was there because for some reason I just could not get my bearings.  He got us everywhere we wanted to go.  Our first stop was some of the farm exhibits.  Linus decided he didn't like barns due to the smell.  Due to lack of time/traveling with small ones, we only saw the cow and goat barns and the piglets.

milking Mabel

After watching Linus, Eileen got right in there

We went to the rainforest exhibit.  The kids LOVED it.  I felt a little bad for the animals.  Their cages were anything but natural habitats.

We had to drag Eileen out of the turtle shell two different times.

Of course we made it to the animal petting area.  A few changes have been made since the early 1980s.  They no longer let the kids hold the baby chicks and bunnies.  It's probably safer and the kids didn't seem to notice, but still...

petting goats

chasing sheep

Eileen could not get enough of the baby chicks. She was very gentle.

A surprise hit was visiting the RVs.  Linus had never been inside one before so I thought he might get a kick out it. I was pretty impressed by the one with a fireplace.  It was only $139,000.  Leaving the RVs was the only time Eileen threw a tantrum.

Sucking down my lemonade.  She refused to give it back.

Happy Birthday Uncle Tim!! What better way to spend the day then at the fair with little kids?

Uncle Tim went on the roller coast with Linus.  To my surprise, my mother volunteered to go on the ghost pirate ride.  My dad really wants to be the grandparent that gives the kids sugar, and introduces them to sweet treats.  Hence he sprung for cotton candy while I was in the bathroom.  I came out to find Linus jumping up and down with excitement.

Trying cotton candy for the first bite.  First bite--yummy.  Second bite--not so much.  Cotton candy is an acquired taste.

Linus was a good big brother and went on rides with Eileen.  Eileen had complete faith in her brother's flying ability.

in the air!

good old canoe ride.  many of the rides of my childhood are still there and have the wear to prove it.

 There weren't a whole lot of rides for Eileen, but when I saw the pony ride.  I knew we had to.  I think my dad was just as excited.  He scooped her up, ran her over there, held her waiting in line, and walked with her around the ring one time.  I have to give props for the pony ride.  It's 7 bucks, but the kids ride around the ring at least 6, maybe 10 times.  We definitely got our money's worth.

pure bliss

Having my family there was amazing.  If you had told me when I was eight, that I would one day voluntarily go to the fair with my parents as an adult, I would have thought you crazy.  I appreciated the help and enthusiasm.  The kids loved it too.  My parents and Tim both chipped in for rides, which was completely unexpected.  Eileen loved that Grandpa bought an elephant ear to share.

I don't usually buy overpriced junk toys when we go places, but since it was such a special occasion I thought I would make an exception.

from left to right, Spiderman, Linus, Diego

I will admit that there were challenging times.  Linus had a couple of tantrums.  He actually took off running and screaming at one point (which he has never done).  I was totally *that* parent, chasing their child.  I'm glad the place wasn't crowded.  Needless to say, he had a few timeouts at the fair.  Luckily, after the running away episode and eating some lunch, he pulled it together for the rest of the day. 

Despite a few episodes of screaming and crying, it was a magical day.  I ate two scones and a krusty pup.  I really wanted to try a deep fried twinkie but couldn't find one.  I wasn't brave enough to try deep fried butter.  We were at the fair for four hours and barely scratched the surface of the fair.  Next year, I'll let Linus try mutton busting and I'll plan better so we go on a day when they kids can do trout fishing.  I might even let Dave come.  There's definitely nothing like doing the Puyallup.