"Our State Fair is a great state fair"*
So goes the song from the movie of the same name, State Fair. Today is the last day of the State Fair of Texas and for myself, it went unnoticed until it was too late to even consider going. Ah well, maybe next year. ("Maybe" being the key word here.)
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| The new Big Tex welcomes you.** Big Tex photo (His predecessor went out in a blaze of glory last year) |
The Texas State Fair is a great one and I have memories of some fun times attending and enjoying all the smells, the food, the rides, (the food) exhibits, admiring the new cars, (the food) checking out the pig races, and the amazing bird show. There is so much to see and do. This chicken (not sure what kind) seems a little confused about everything going on around him.
But some of my favorite memories of the fair was to see and experience it with people who were not as privileged as you and I. Dallas Fire Department employees (joined by family member or friends) would meet early in the morning at the fairgrounds to welcome the buses arriving with residents (referred to as "clients") of the Denton State school. We shivered in the cool, crisp and sunny October mornings waiting for the buses carrying restless passengers, who were filled with excitement about the adventure the day would hold for them.
As they came off the bus, it was like trying to catch a group of 5 year olds and match them up with a team who would escort them about the fair that day.
Many of the clients remembered their partners from previous years and so, after our first year of participating in this special event, there was one particular fellow about 40 (Norvell), who looked for us and called us his "fwends."
As they came off the bus, it was like trying to catch a group of 5 year olds and match them up with a team who would escort them about the fair that day.
Many of the clients remembered their partners from previous years and so, after our first year of participating in this special event, there was one particular fellow about 40 (Norvell), who looked for us and called us his "fwends."
Norvell was one of the more outgoing ones who got a kick out of everything! And he absolutely had a fit because he lost to the chicken in one of the games he played!!!
I happened to see a letter to the editor of the Dallas Morning News one year and saved it, along with Norvell's photo, because it captured the sentiment of the joy of those days so well and touched my heart.
Yes, Irmgard, those days were enriching for us too.
*Rodgers and Hammerstein
** Big Tex Photographer: Paul Komarek
7 comments:
Such a heartwarming story and photo.
I know they do things bigger in Texas but they also must have the biggest hearts too! What a great memory. It's a fun time of year to enjoy the festivals and all the fun Fall events. Our State fair is held in the Summer and I've never gone..however, we usually make the County fair in Sept. and I've entered some photos in the hobby section for judging. It's a great way to see your friends and neighbors and enjoy some true "country" feelings!
A wonderful story! Thanks so much for sharing it with us. It is heart warming!
What a wonderful story, and oh my, what a smile. Brings joy to my heart. When I was growing up, we lived just blocks from the County Fair. It was always the highlight of our young lives.
Oh, how I loved this! I felt I was right there. What happy times, and thank you for sharing!
Awesome Nonnie! Thank you for sharing with us.
This must be one of the highlights of the year for everyone who participates. Thank you for sharing the story!
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