Weston County Fair Fun

Every year I go to the county fair. I mean, what's Wyoming without an old fashioned county fair when all the cowboys come out with their good ol' boy attitudes, tight wranglers, and horribly large egos that get even larger with every beer they drink and every steer they wrestle. You really wouldn't be able to appreciate this mentality but if you've grown up around it as I have. This environment (once a year) can sometimes make for a good evening. Or at least a good fist fight between a couple testosterone driven cowboys arguing over something like who has the bigger and better Chevy truck. So, I actually enjoy making my annual appearance at the county fair and this year was no exception.

I didn't think that I was even going to make it since I've been so busy but Cory and I heard that there was live music so we attended one evening. First we witnessed the egg toss content. Next on the list was the ever popular tug-a-war fights where all those egos come out in full force to prove, in front of all those in the grand stands, who truly earns the title of Man and Boy. It was quite entertaining. Then, we crossed the dust ridden road over to the lawn for the live music. I actually had an amazing time watching Brock Finn. It was just dusk, a slight breeze after a hot day, chilled grass curling around my feet, and wonderful company with great music in the background. As I walked across that dusty road, memories flooded through me. All the days I spent marching up and down that road. From end to end, day to day. As I walked across that road and saw the breeze blow up the ever familiar film of dust, I noticed that same snow cone machine placed in the exact same spot some 15 years later, that same announcer's stand, and that same swing set I used to swing on for hours. Smelling those oh so good chili cheese nachos coming from the same old concession stand that STILL needs a paint job after all these years gave me such a feeling of home. And although Newcastle is not and has not been my home for many years now, it will always be my home and nights like that, night at the fairgrounds, remind me of why I loved my childhood so much.

I stood there watching the performance,surrounded by familiar faces, visiting with friends, and with Cory's arms around me, a small grin crept across my face as I had a moment to reflect on how much I have enjoyed this summer, after all these years, home.