Under the Wire

To be 16 years old at county fair time. Yep, folks, that’s what I’d like to be.

I’m happy with my life as it is. I’m really not one to look back and wish I could do things over except at county fair time. Oh, to be able to go back in time!

We lived several miles from town. I only saw my sister and an occasional cousin all summer. My dog was my best friend because I didn’t see anyone else closer to my age than him.

Then it arrived. Fair time. The words were magical. Load up the lambs, calves, show boxes and enough straw to bed a whole cow herd and head to the county fairground. Once the animals were stalled and cared for, the real fair began. The real fair, you see, was the social scene.

I saw kids I hadn’t seen since school last spring, kids from other towns, kids from out of town, new kids, old kids. Kids!

The best part was that half of them were ... girls!

Sixteen years old, out on the tractor all summer, and now surrounded by girls. It didn’t get any better than that! Amidst washing calves, showing lambs and the junior rodeo, we fell into and out of love five times a day.

“Dates” consisted of a hot dog while sitting on a show box or a stroll through the sewing exhibits.

You actually cared diddly about the sewing, but man, you had on your best boots and hat, your new jean jacket, and she was holding your hand! You could have walked across hot coals and never known it!

Our fairs were a mixture of ribbons, sleeping in the barn with the cattle and water fights. Calves that had only been seen briefly during the summer were given round-the-clock attention. Maybe it was some type of apology for ignoring them all summer, then sending them to the packing plant after it was all over.

I attended 10 years of fairs as a participant. I never remember a bad one. I attended another 10 years of them either as an FFA advisor or a parent. I don’t seem to have as many fond memories of those last 10 as I did of the first 10.

Oh well. I had enough fun when I was in those “golden years” to make up for the few tense moments as a parent later.

Life sure was a lot simpler when I was 16. And sometimes more exciting. If any kids read “Under the Wire,” enjoy your fair now. Someday you’ll grow up and take your kids as a parent.

It’s not the same, trust me.