Yes, I said educational. Not boring sit-at-a-desk educational. I'm talking learn things you never knew, without feeling like you're learning a thing. It's the kind of stuff that is so interesting, or cool, you actually learn by mistake. After all it is still summer. School doesn't start for another month, but you're learning anyway - despite yourself.
Go ahead and buy that cotton candy. Now head for the livestock judging area. You'll munch on your fluffy treat, while the cows munch on some hay. Talk to the breeders. They are more than happy to talk about their prize animal. You can learn how they are bred to be the healthiest animals in the county - how and what they eat to become champions.
You can learn how to raise a prize rooster, from egg to exhibit. Some fairs even have displays like incubators. That's a real hit with the little ones. Hey - I like that too! OK, that's for all ages. Just like all of the livestock at the fair.
There are always a wide array of rabbits at the Livestock arena. Some pretty unusual ones too. Like angoras, they're beautiful and they're not the Easter Bunny. And that's the idea. Find those out of the ordinary breeds. You never know, you may light a spark in your child's eye. You also may end up with a prize winning breeder in that same child.
There are also horses, sheep, and even some pigs at the livestock exhibit. So if you can stand the smell, take a good look around. You just might learn a thing or two about livestock.
Now take a stroll to the Agricultural exhibit. That's my favorite place, of course. See the longest zucchini in the county, and ask the grower how they did it. You can get all sorts of good growing tips there. Find out how the biggest watermelon was grown. Ask how that five-pound tomato stayed on the vine. Look at the most perfect green beans, and the most beautiful ear of corn. And no trip to the agriculture exhibit is complete without seeing the largest pumpkin in the county. They are usually massive beauties, weighing from 100 pounds and up. Wow.
