We told Little Man that we were taking him to the last day of the season of the Tennessee State Fair yesterday but, alas, it was raining. We pulled in anyway, me whining along with my four-year-old that it wasn't raining too hard ... while my husband and dad voiced their opinions that it was actually starting to pour and we had no umbrellas, so ... we decided to leave. As we pulled out of the parking lot the sign said "Thanks for the memories." This was especially sad because the news reports that after over a hundred years of hosting it, Nashville will not house the state fair anymore because it is losing money. If it hadn't rained all week this year it is possible that they could have made a profit this year. Mayor Dean wants to use the prime property for something else. The fair board still has to vote on it, but it is not looking good. http://www.wztv.com/newsroom/top_stories/wztv_vid_1469.shtml
First Opryland closes, now this! What amusement park will my little boy grow up with now?!
The Tennessee State Fair was a staple of my childhood and it was magic! Tossing the ping pong ball in the brightly dyed water in the goldfish bowl and "winning" my goldfish (always Goldie, Goldie II, III and so forth) in the plastic bag who would inevitably die, but I seemed to forget that fact every year. Cotton candy. Spin art. The rides! (The fun house being a particular favorite)The freak shows! "POPEYE" (the elderly gentleman who could pop his eyeball out of his head, then the other--clapping while doing it to spook people) and "The Worlds Largest Rat!" my mother refused to go in, due to rodent phobia, but I went in with my dad to see some caged hog sized creature. (I later developed rodent phobia myself!) And, as a mere tot, seeing my beloved Sonny and Cher in concert there. My mom and her friend whispering (loudly) about Cher's revealing outfit (open all the way down the sides! gasp!)and I was completely in awe of her. Firecrackers were going and me,the excited little four-year-old girl saying "it's the only way to fly, it's the only way to fly!" and a nice young couple smiling at me and egging me on.
Yes, I loved the Tennessee State Fair! Thanks for the memories! Fair thee well ...
13 comments:
I know how you feel. We had this event when I grew up in the Catskill Mtns called The New Kingston Whoop-Dee-Doo. It was in a tiny town on the top of one of the mountains. Everyone who went went every year. It was an old fashioned fair. Greased pole climbing, log sawing, Vaudeville acts in the church, canned goods, pies. It was like a movie from 100 years ago. When the reverend who ran it every year moved no one picked it up and continued.
A wonderful mom like yourself, will certainly find other great places where you will make awesome memories with your son.
That's a bummer, but at least you have many memories of it!
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Jenna
I'm so sorry you missed the Fair. that is no fair. I didn't realize this was going to be the last year. I never went, ever. I grew up going to the county fair in Cookeville. I even won a few ribbons for things I entered.
There is nothing like a state or a county fair is there. I hope that they find a way to continue the tradition.
Our state fair is NOTHING like yours!!! I wish we had something as fun!
Aww this is so sad. Its sad when something you remember shuts down. I know when Kings Island was bought out by Paramount. It changed things for us. I didn't realize that Opryland had shut down. Did the hotel that does the Christmas lighting do so as well?
Thanks for your comments, guys! Margaret, there is talk that it may be housed somewhere outside of town.
Opryland closed back in the 90's unfortunately, it was a Nashville institution. Now it is just a mall! The Opryland Hotel is still rockin'.
What a bummer! It sounds like you have some great memories at the fair. I'm keeing my fingers crossed for you!!! Hope they don't end up closing it after all.
Hmmm...I just typed something up and then got an error...so sorry if this goes through more than once.
Anyways I was saying that is a bummer that the fair may be closing. It sounds like you have a lot of really good memories there. I do hope you are able to find something similar for your son to enjoy.
I hate to hear this. I grew up in Knoxville, TN. I remember always driving to the start fair. Maybe they will find a way to save it. Also I am following your blog thanks for following me from
MBC
I have similar feelings about the state fair - although I live here in Utah, I grew up attending the state fair with my family and it was so much fun. It's just not the same now, too commercialized, junkie and trashy. Kinda sad that my children won't have those same memories of the animals, see and appreciating someones handiwork and talents, the family style entertainment.
Kristin
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