Fun with the Family at the Fair …

With the leaves just starting to turn and a hint of autumn on the breeze, it was the perfect weekend to hang with family and attend our first Tunbridge Worlds Fair.

My mother, Nancy, and her husband, Greg, had timed their visit with us so that we could enjoy the fair together (in addition to other activities, such as fishing and a little sight-seeing). We started off on Saturday at our favorite breakfast spot, Chelsea Station, in South Royalton. Then we drove up to northern Randolph to the Maple Ridge Sheep Farm. Linda and Tuthill Doane have been raising Shetland sheep for about 30 years, and are well-known throughout the US for their quality animals. It was fun to see the sheep farm in action, as well as some of the fleeces that Linda had for sale.

After visiting the Shetlands, we headed off to the fair, which was teeming with Tunbridgiens and other folks from near and far. We hit the grounds in time to follow up on our sheep farm fling with a junior goat show. The children and kids were competing in a variety of groups: showmanship, which focused on how the animals were groomed and presented; conformity, which emphasized the goats’ physical characteristics and breeding; the dairy class, for the milking goats of course; and the best in show for the top over-all ruminant.

Afterwards, we wandered about, sampling the various foodstuffs and exhibits. We saw a llama named “Dharma” and some beautiful peacocks, ate ice cream and fried dough, and even coerced my mom onto the ferris wheel. We also got a chance to check out the historical exhibits, and we entered the raffle to benefit the Tunbridge Historical Society.

Overall, we had a great time at the fair. There was a lot to see and do, with a little something for everyone. And even though it was crowded, most of the fairgoers were well-behaved (we didn’t venture into the beer hall, however). Next year, I’d like to try the fair during an evening. The rides have always been one of my favorite parts of any fair, and night-time makes the experience of floating, swinging and spinning above the crowds that much more exciting. But it’s also usually more crowded and raucous at night, and that isn’t for everyone. I’m glad that Nancy and Greg were able to come up during the fair and the start of foliage season. We had a great time all weekend!