I’d say that “Red, White and Moo” was a success this year.  That was the theme of the just completed Sanpete County Fair.  Saying it was a success is based on my observation.  I don’t have any facts or figures.

   It’s just my feeling based on the famous quote of baseball legend Yogi Berra:  “You can observe a lot by just watching.”

   My watching would indicate that Sanpete continues the tradition of a strong gathering and participation for a county fair.  That’s not the case everywhere.

   The Davis County fair was not held during the pandemic in 2020.  It never made a comeback.  The last county fair in Salt Lake county was 2017.  It just cost too much for the number of people who were attending.  I suppose the city part of the county has crowded out the country part.

   My watching of our fair included seeing good gatherings for the rodeo nights and the Friday night demolition derby.  I am not sure what other event in the county puts more “butts in seats” than the derby.

   All available parking was loaded all around the fairgrounds Friday night, including many vehicles in the cemetery in Manti. As loud as those roaring derby cars can be, there may have been some raising of the dead.  (I have some friends buried in the graveyard who would probably love to attend another derby.)

   I often quote a brother of mine who has said that, “demolition derbies are celebrations of the decline of civilization.”  I mentioned that to a friend on Thursday when she told me of her plans to attend.  Her reply was, “I think he’s right.”

   On Saturday morning, the last day of the fair, we got up early and attended the free Commissioner’s Breakfast put on by the county (served from 7am to 10am).  Many of our elected county officials were there cooking and serving the hotcakes, bacon, sausage, and eggs, etc.

   I don’t remember having had breakfast there before. (My wife claims that I’m unaware that there is more than one 5 o’clock or 6 o’clock, or in this case a 7 o’clock.  I generally only think of those as PM numbers, not AM numbers.)

   We were there early because we had another reason to be “up and at ’em.” We did something this year at the fair that we’ve never done.  We entered a vehicle into the car show.  We wanted to get parked early in a shady spot.  As it turned out, Mother Nature kept us shaded and “hydrated” during the day.  That rain was a doozy – cats and dogs!  We can’t complain.  The downpour was what we’ve been praying for.

   I mentioned here last week that you could find me by the yellow VW Campmobile at the show.  Some of you did stop by and let me know you were on the look-out for me because of my mention in this space.  That was appreciated.

   That 1978 campmobile was bought brand new by my parents.  We acquired it when it was past its prime.

   The original “sticker price” was around $9,200.00.  That seems really cheap now – especially with restoration prices what they are these days.  It’s been brought back from its decline and is in great shape now.

   While the car show was underway, the Cattlemen’s Association beef dinner was served up.  A nice steak dinner hit the spot. That’s a popular  meal at the fair.  It certainly beats a corndog and cotton candy.

   I have heard it said, “I trust corn dogs more than I do most people;” and “Cotton Candy is the official food of bad decisions.”  I kinda like both.

   We didn’t win any trophies at the car show, but we did win a $50.00 gift certificate to Big Pine Sports in the raffle.  I’m calling that “The People’s Choice Award,” and I’m sticking to it.  I told my wife that the gift certificate would make a nice down payment on a side-by-side vehicle.

   Over the years, I’ve learned a few things at our county fair.  Here’s a couple of tidbits of knowledge.

   Some time ago, a 4-H boy, who had pigs at the fair, explained this to me.  According to him, if a pig is happy and excited, the tail stands out and is curly.  The tail can wiggle as well.

   But if the pig is depressed and not feeling in a good mood, the tail is straighter and has no “pizazz.”  Maybe some pigs have self-esteem problems.  I don’t know.

   Here’s another thing.  Oxen are steers regardless of what breed of cattle they belong to.  Some people aren’t clear as to what makes a steer a steer.  If any reader here is wondering, a steer is a castrated bull.  If any reader is wondering about any words in the preceding sentence, go to the dictionary.

   Years ago, my son had a friend down from Riverton for a visit to the fair.  After visiting the animal barn, she announced that this was the first time she could remember of ever seeing a live pig and a live chicken – at least up close.  (I guess as opposed to seeing a chicken sandwich with bacon.)

Who’d have thunk it? – a young woman from the Salt Lake Valley getting some farm animal education at the Sanpete County Fair.

   I met people from all over the state and other places while at the fair this year.  One couple from Knoxville, TN stopped in and visited with me at the car show.  They were just driving through while on a trip visiting national parks.

   They saw the car show and stopped.  They were very disappointed that they had missed the demolition derby.  (I guess they like the idea of seeing “the decline of civilization” –  like thousands of others.)

   The parade was great.  Sooo much candy was tossed.  My back became sore from getting up and picking it up so often.

   Our only kid sitting with us was our 1-year-old granddaughter.  She was a big draw for candy being thrown our way, but she wasn’t much help in picking it up.

   Hats off to the county officials, the fair board, and all the volunteers who helped make the fair a success.  Let’s do it again next year!  — Merrill