My sister and I took in the penultimate night of the Cumberland County Fair, located at the Crown Complex, on Saturday, leaving about four hours after we arrived with a newfound appreciation for the spirit of competition that fairs typically offer as well as other traditions that long-standing celebrations like these offer.
I was in unfamiliar territory from the moment we entered: We walked right into the middle of the junior beef heifer competition. I grew up in Atlanta, so this was something new for me. But I was immediately absorbed the atmosphere and felt right at home in no time.
My sister was just as enthralled. It was hard not to be. The kids competing were so cute yet so professional — adorable kids with large belt buckles and an instinctive knack for handling their equally adorable livestock. You can really tell how much love and care they shared.
Back home in Atlanta, we have fairs with rides, games and greasy food, but not the competitions, art displays and agricultural showcases that make a county fair like Cumberland’s a genuine county fair. I honestly didn’t really know what the purpose of a county fair was until Saturday night.
I think my favorite part of the agricultural displays were the fruits and vegetables. In college, I spent a lot of my time volunteering in my campus’ community garden caring for all the herbs and produce. There’s something special about working alongside nature to grow your own food; it really gave me a sense of pride and a strong work ethic. For that reason, I knew how proud these home gardeners were of their cucumbers, peppers, squash and herbs. It made me want to get back into gardening again.
The works of art exhibited were also a treat. Looking at all the creativity children have without fear of failure gave me a sense of melancholic nostalgia, wishing I could be that person able to create with nothing to lose again. I had so many favorite pieces that I think it'd be impossible for me to pick a favorite. Among them: a frog made out of a paper plate, some crocheted animal dolls, a matchstick portrait and a fungi-themed embroidery hoop.
My sister and I eventually made our way out to the midway for a whirl on a few rides. But we soon discovered that old favorites like Himalaya and the Ring of Fire made us dizzy and queasy instead of giving us an adrenaline-charged thrill. We settled for just watching the rides and trying our hands at some carnival games. I ended up winning the most ridiculous looking plush crustacean of some kind. To be honest, I can’t really tell what it’s supposed to be, but I love it.
My fair experience gave me waves of nostalgia — for those days when I could ride the rides without nausea, for times when I would beg my mom for a little cash to try and win the one stuffed prize I thought I absolutely needed, and times when I had friends dare me to go on the one ride we were all afraid of.
This experience was different, as an adult, and yet so familiar. It made me reflect a lot on what my life would have been like if I had grown up in a more rural, agricultural-focused area. And whether or not I would have picked up any of those creative hobbies like crochet, gardening or embroidery.
The fair is now closed, but in reflection I’m already looking forward to next year’s version — and in the meantime, perhaps the chance to travel to other county fairs this fall. It was a fun yet strangely melancholic experience, and I’m ready for more as I get used to my new home in Fayetteville.
Contact Char Morrison at cmorrison@cityviewnc.com.
