|
Nevada
County Fair: Fantasies and Realities The Nevada County fair is in the middle of its five-day run. Most people will go on Saturday or Sunday, so by reading this column, you'll be well prepared for this strange and wonderful event. The fair is a marvelous fantasy, a recreation of a lovely, easygoing pastoral world that never existed, and that can be very soothing. The problem is that the fair also reflects the greedy, gouging economic practices we've come to accept as part of normal life. Bring lots of money. The fair will bleed you and your family white, if you let it, and you will run out of money long before you run out of things to do. Fair fantasies The fair is an escape from the pressure cooker world many of us live in. The exhibits seem quaint and fun. They suggest there's some calmer alternate lifestyle lying just out of our grasp. The livestock exhibits show us that some kids are raising sheep instead of raising Cain, and the quilts remind us that a few people have the time to make wonderful, complicated bed coverings. There are homemade jams, jellies, beers, and pies. There are vegetables grown by kids! Also, there are lots of good photos and paintings, done by people you know. You can't help but love this stuff. Of course, none of this has anything to do with the hardships of rural life folks endured a hundred years ago, when farming and home crafts were survival essentials. Maybe the best part of this dream world it that the fair seems so local. It's a place where you'll bump into your friends. Fair realities The merchandise booths and rides at the fair are designed to separate you from your money. I have no problem with that. This has been true ever since Dagobert, King of the Franks, chartered the St. Denis fair in 629 AD. However, the Nevada County Fair management balances its books on your back, and I do have a problem with that. The fair will cost you more than it ever has before, beginning with parking, admission, and food. 1. Parking increased from $2.00 to $3.00, with no increase in value. It's still the same old dirt, folks. The Union should be ashamed of the copy in its Fair Guide 2001. It goes, "If you decide to drive, parking is only $3." Don't know if The Union noticed, but few out-of-towners or moms with three kids take the Gold County Stage. And what do they mean by "only $3?" 2. Admission increased from $4.00 to $5.00 for adults, with no increase in value. Senior admissions went from $1.00 to $2.00. By the way, an "adult" is anyone 13 or older. The Union writes, "The year's best fun bargain costs a mere $5." 3. Some food prices are up, so the Treat Street charities can pay energy surcharges to the fair. Sad, but a corn on the cob from the Grass Valley Lions finally hit $2.00 (same as a corn dog). And there's no more stick. You hold the hot, wet peeled-back husk in your hand and try to eat fast. The rides aren't cheap. The Union guide dodges this. It describes unlimited carnival rides for $15.00, but that program shuts down at 5:00 pm each day. The guide tells you about discount ride tickets available from the boy scouts, but that program ended Tuesday. What the guide doesn't mention is that tickets are $0.85 each at the fair. And that's the fact, Jack. Now, since the Fireball, Zipper, Footloose, and the big Ferris wheel require five tickets to ride, you and your honey are out $8.50 for one thrill. Ride all four for a mere $34.00! Best fair values Of course, if you're a kid, party on! Ride all the rides and eat all the food! But for us cheap old fogies: 1. Eat the Job's Daughters' corn dogs ($2.00) or the Soroptimist or firefighters' hot dogs ($2.00). 2. Enjoy the music. It's free. Get free fans from KNCO or the Democrats. Also, the art exhibits are free (and air conditioned). Put the fair in proportion and you'll have a good time. It's fun, and you'll remember the fun long after you forget the cost. Barry Schoenborn is a technical writer, and a 13-year resident of Nevada County. His column appears the second Saturday of the month. barry@wvswrite.com is his e-mail address. The opinions of columnists are not necessarily those of The Union. |