Brooklyn Goes to the Fair

MetroWest Newspapers (where Kevin works) sent a covert operative to cover the Adams County Fair Kids Day Aug. 3. 20-month-old Brooklyn, in her first real reporting gig, did it all and even dodged up some Carnie haggling, to give this first person report, with the help of her mom and dad, on all the happenings.

9:55 a.m.

Waiting, waiting, waiting in a long line of cars. Mommy and Daddy say we’re going to the fair. They have repeatedly told me this will be fun. That’s reassuring. If it’s something like shots or getting my face washed, they always promise the fun will come afterwards.

10:05 a.m.

In my stroller, ready to go. Wait, I hear a cow. Cows again. My parents took me to a dairy farm last week and now I’m really beginning to think they like cows.

10:10 a.m.

We’re in a big building now and it’s very loud. I hear chickens clucking and geese. Oooh, are those bunnies. I want to pet a bunny.

15 seconds later

Mom, you must be crazy, there’s no way I’m touching that bunny. No, no, no, okay, not so bad. It’s kind of like petting my doggy.

10:15 a.m.

These are certainly funny animals. They keeping going “bah, bah, bah.” Daddy says they are lambs. Mommy says, “they smell bad.” We don’t stay long.

10:20 a.m.

This seems to be a regular occurrence. Anytime we go somewhere, my parents end up at this machine where they stick a card in and green paper comes out. Then Daddy stuffs the green paper in his wallet really quick like somebody might take it. Then, for the next two hours, he gives it away to everyone we meet.

10:25 a.m.

I’m getting a tiara. I’m getting a tiara. Mommy is a total sucker for anything pink and purple. Funny thing about these two, if I point and coo, I can pretty much get anything I want.

10:35 a.m.

OK, I’m going on a camel. Mommy says this will be fun and she rides with me. What’s a camel? Whoa, that’s a camel. We’re way high up in the air. Daddy is snapping pictures of us on the ground.

When we’re all done, Daddy asks if I had fun? I nod yes. Mommy said she had fun too. In fact, she said for $5 bucks a person, she wishes the ride would have been a lot longer. Whatever that means. Maybe it has to do with the green paper.

10:50 a.m.

I’m really not sure about this. This is usually what happens right before I get a shot. Mommy puts me on her lap, lifts up my sleeve and BAM! Oh, wait, this girl is drawing a monkey on my arm. Well, that is kind of cool. Daddy says it’s my first tattoo and my last.

10:55 a.m.

I just got my own Cowgirl hat from the Adams County Fair Queen. I got a signed picture of her, too. Maybe, some day, I’ll be fair queen. Why not? I already have the tiara.

11:15 a.m.

I love fire trucks and now I get to sit in one. This is too cool. The firefighter even offers that I can get all dressed up in fire gear like my Daddy did. But, I’m happy touching all the different knobs and gizmos. Now, how do I make that siren go?

11:25 a.m.

For some reason, those people don’t like my Dad. They’re yelling at him to come over and win a prize. My Dad looks a little worried and mumbles something about “carnies.” The stroller is going a lot faster.

11:30 a.m.

My first carnival ride. This is a boat that spins around and around. Obviously, I’m no sailor but where are you going to get on four inches of water and spinning in a circle. I don’t even have a periscope. This is a joke. Oh, wow, my parents seem really excited. I’ll give them a smile next time around and they’ll buy me more stuff.

11:40 a.m.

Another ride, this is so cool. Seriously, I had my doubts after Daddy said “he wouldn’t be caught dead on a carnival ride” but they’re letting me go. I’m sitting in a purple dinosaur that looks a lot like that one from the Flintstones. Ok, a little fast for me. Where are Mommy and Daddy? Alright, they still look super excited so it must be alright.

11:55 a.m.

I’m getting to play my first carnival game and all I have to do is pick a duck. I pick and, wait, all I get is this inflatable dolphin? I want the life-size Shrek? I better talk to Daddy about sharing more green paper.

12:05 p.m.

All right, Mommy and Daddy look like they are going to melt so this is the final stop. What better way to end my day at the fair than a carousel ride? Again, my preference would be a real horse or even that camel but this will work.

12:15 p.m.

Back in the car and I think it’s time for a nap. This was so much fun. I’ve got to come back to the fair next year.