A Day at the Fair

It was a drizzly, overcast day and Cafe Drake HRV ended up strolling the fairgrounds on our own but both circumstances contributed to a moody but not unpleasant day at the Dutchess County Fair in Rhinebeck. We chose not to face the fury of the Pharaoh.

The name is intriguing but swirling around in the dark with flashing lights not so much.

The fair experience in 2014 is inherently colored with nostalgic memories of county fairs as a child. We were surprised at how dramatically ride signage has changed!

Like, really changed. Club Scene Dance turned out to be a funhouse complete with moving sidewalks, rotating tunnels, crazy mirrors and loud techno music.

Many of the old rides from yesteryear still remain however.

We loved the colors of this childhood favorite.

And we weren't going to leave without riding something. This, also enjoyed in our youth, was sort of the wrong decision. Thrilled to report we did manage to emerge only somewhat nauseous and only for a few minutes afterwards.

With over 100 food vendors there was no shortage of lunch options.

Then we got really really sad when we saw this sort of traveling "zoo" still exists. If we could have freed him, we would have.

The House of Maple Syrup was a blast featuring many samples and products made from one of the state's most iconic industries.

An 1812 one-room schoolhouse!

The schoolhouse interior was peopled by creepy mannequins.

Though we could relate to this one at least.

The sign says it all. Numerous outdoor pavilions featured award-winning pigs, cows, goats, sheep, alpacas and more from local family farms.

We're pretty sure cows aren't supposed to be this big?

Amazing patterns!

As always the goats were the friendliest, demanding petting from all visitors.

Post-haircut, draped in salon smock.

No surprise we chose a healthier - and utterly delicioius - option for lunch: a platter of tabouli, pickled veggies, roasted eggplant, hummus, salad, felafel and homemade pita breads.

We passed.

More creepy puppets and dolls!