Nelson Family Blog: Turner County Fair 2022

Another Turner County Fair has come and gone. It was a little bit different this year. Since everyone was home for Jeff's wedding, we didn't have all the extended family in town for the fair, so that was kind of unusual. But, it was still a fun fair.

Once again, I camped with the kids for the duration of the fair. It was really fun, but I was definitely ready to be done with the fair when it was over.

On Sunday, we moved into the camper, and then we checked in the bunnies in the afternoon. We also checked in the open class projects and then the 4-H projects (Emma had 21 projects!!). It was a little stressful having specific times and schedules to keep, and wagon loads of projects to mark and drop off. It's always a little crazy and un-organized, but we survived and got them all checked in. After that, we enjoyed the free BBQ supper and ice cream, and then we settled into the camper and relaxed for the rest of the evening. John went back home to work, and the kids and I enjoyed a movie and went to bed.

On Monday, Emma and I had to help with the 4-H judging. We helped hang up the posters and carry the projects to the judges. It was fun to help, but it got kind of long and boring. Eventually, Emma wandered to the camper to take a nap (she was fighting a bad cold). John came back around noon, and hung out with us until the bunny show at 4:00pm. Both kids did a really good job with the bunny show. Elliott did really well, and got his Cloverbud ribbon. He also even tried to do the showmanship part, and he learned a lot from that experience. Emma just did the regular bunny show (no showmanship) and she got a purple ribbon for her bunny again this year. Both kids were really happy. Jeff and Samantha came out that evening, and the kids had fun showing them their projects, and then being spoiled with treats and food all evening.

The kids did really well on their projects at the fair. Emma got a best of show ribbon for her mini succulent garden, and then she got an outstanding ribbon for her purple flower photo. So, that was super exciting. She also got mostly purple ribbons on the rest of her projects. She got a blue on her conservation poster, a red on a stick picture frame, and then a white ribbon on her clay candle holder. Overall, she was very happy and proud of her projects (as were her parents!!). She also won the people's choice award for a picture of Chase that she took and submitted in open class. That was another great highlight.

Elliott also did really well with his projects. He had to enter most of his in open class since he is still a Cloverbud. He got a Best of Show ribbon for his jeans flower container her made at Cloverbud camp. He was so proud of that, and he had to show it to everybody. He also got mostly blue ribbons, with a couple reds sprinkled in. He also got a special recognition award for his Pokemon diamond art project he submitted in the small fry category. He really enjoyed showing off all his projects to anybody who would come with him.

Tuesday was a quieter day at the fair. We spent the morning doing bunny chores, checking out the commercial exhibits, and then I had to watch the 4-H building for an hour in the late morning. After lunch, we headed home for showers, laundry, and to get ready for open house for school. The kids had fun bringing in their school supplies, seeing their friends, and starting to think about school again. It was a beautiful evening, and we had a good time with the kids. We also ate some Chik-Fil-A, which the kids enjoyed. We decided to sleep at home in real beds, and then head out to the fair the next morning.

On Wednesday, we got out to the fair in the late morning. My parents decided to drive over for the day, and check out the fair since they had never been there. The kids LOVED showing my parents the fair. They showed them the bunnies, and all the projects, and then all the buildings on the fairgrounds. My parents also bought them lunch and some wristbands for rides, and my dad even rode a ride with the kids. By early evening, my parents were ready to leave, and then the Tomczaks showed up to the fair. So, we got to explore the fairgrounds all over again. Plus, the kids got to ride some rides with Johnny, Anna, and Abby. We were very busy, hot, and a little overwhelmed. It was great to have so much company, but I'm not sure I've ever played tour guide quite so often. But, it was a great afternoon, and it was not hard to put those kids to bed that night. John came out and joined us after work, and then spent the night in the camper to help in the food stand the next day.

Thursday was another busy day. We started working in the 4-H food stand at 6:30 am and then worked until about noon. We were fairly busy, so the time went pretty quickly. It's always fun to work in the food stand, but I was ready to be done by the time our shift was over. The kids really enjoyed working in the food stand, they were a little sad when it was over. We went back to the camper for naps and relaxing, and then Polzins showed up to the fair. The kids got wristbands again, and they rode rides with the Polzins all afternoon. We also showed them all the projects and the bunnies. After the Polzins left, the kids rode the Sizzler with Grandma Barb and then Emma and Elliott rode the Zipper. Elliott was convinced he wanted to ride the zipper, and then I think he was a little terrified on it. He said he will never, ever, ever going to ride that ride again. I don't think he enjoyed it. I feel ya, kid.

The kids did participate in the Tractor Pull, but neither of them placed in their age category. Then, we all ate our last fair food supper, and then at 9:00pm, we went to pick up the projects and bunnies. It was a little crazy and stressful, but we got all the projects, ribbons, and premium money, and then got out of there. The kids and I spent one final night in the camper. We watched a movie, and then all 3 of us happily went to bed.

Friday, was basically a pack up and go home day. We packed up, packed the camper up, and then finally went home. We all showered, unpacked, and re-packed, and relaxed for a while before getting ready to head to Minnesota to go camping.

What. A. Week. I was so proud of the kids during the week. They acted very well, did well in their projects, and they had a great time at the fair. Elliott loved getting his bunny out of his cage, and then letting people pet his bunny while they walked through the bunny barn. He is so good at talking with people, engaging with them, and making them laugh. He makes me so happy. And Emma loved her independence to just run with her friends and do her own thing, she is getting so grown up, I can't handle it.