Holiday at the Colorado State Fair

The Colorado State Fair concluded its festivities this past weekend. When I'd heard it described as crowded, expensive and overwhelming I'd thought to skip it, but we just kept being given free tickets! We figured we'd better go, since we'd never been to a state fair, and since this one was being held in the city in which we lived.

I think it's fair to say the experienced exceeded all our expectations.

First, Saturday morning brought us the chance to participate in the State Fair Parade!

It was circus-themed, and the kids marched with Ascension Preschool. Adele started there today!

We did our best with the clown theme.

I always forget how shy she is. She can dance and sing and do cartwheels and light up a room- but not if too many people are watching. Adele was merely willing to walk along, holding onto brother. Miles, though, played his instrument, smiled, waved, and like me, seemed to enjoy the press of enthusiastic people.

They're so close, yet soooo different.

The kids got to watch some of the parade after our walk ended. They loved the horses especially!

Sunday morning started quietly, with pancakes, church, and some puppy-love.

But when we finally got out to the fair, our senses were jolted awake! I love fairs and carnivals, myself. I will admit to be a bit overwhelmed by the parking and driving in traffic, and to the noise and general confusion. But I love the atmosphere of festivity at events like these.

Our first experience was a monkey show that was WAY more amusing than expected.

Next, we hit up the agricultural areas in search of Adele's beloved pigs. At first, we were disappointed as the "Sheep, Swine and Goats"building contained only goats.

These guys were pretty pleased with the goats, though.

Next we hit up the rides. After a summer at the City Park Rides (which are still 25 cents apiece, if you were wondering!), it was hard to swallow the prices! We made each kid pick two.

Adele went with carousel:





 And the motorcycles!

Miles is getting bolder! He picked a larger than usual kiddy coaster...

This is him at the start; his hands were up and he was laughing throughout the ride once it started.

And he and I took a ride on the ferris wheel. He informed everyone on our car it was his first time on a ferris wheel, but that he was trying it anyway.

The experience was a bit hit with him! Lots of laughter and amazed sounds. The view was quite good.

Pike's Peak from the fairgrounds

We thought that'd be the high point. But there was more!

There were cows to pet...

Miles also decided to spend some of his birthday money at the fair. He was fascinated by the opportunity to play in a giant plastic bubble, rolling over the water. So he coughed up the $7 and ended up spending about 20 minutes in his bubble. He had a marvelous time.

Speaking of marvelous times, we found another animal tent!

And what did we find right by the entrance but a pen full of Adele's very favorite animal!

Guys, she just lit up. Thank you Colorado for having piglets to your state fair! This made more than her day.

She got to watch them eat, and pet them through the bars.

Playing in the corn-box

With a pig-crown!

We watched the lamb nurse and wag its tail as it did so. Precious!

I'm not kidding, it got even better. We rounded a corner to find a petting area! Inside the petting area: puppies, kittens, goats, rabbits.... and a piglet!!

I was so exhausted by this point I took hardly any pictures in there. But the kids were in heaven. While Adele stroked the pink skin of her favorite animal, Miles had some cuddles with his favorite animal!

In the same tent, Miles got to rope a steer...

And Miles decided to spend some more money on more experiences (that he wants to spend money on experiences rather than things makes me proud, and makes me wonder too where he came from!). He and Adele both "ponied up" to ride the ponies!

When we left we were, yes, a bit poorer (but not by much, since we didn't have to pay for entrance) but a whole lot more rich in sensory experience in joy! 

There was an early bedtime that night, but I suspect the dreams were very sweet.