"The Gorge" is what is referred to as the scenic Columbia River Valley stretching east and west from Idaho across the borders that separate eastern Washington and eastern Oregon on either side of the Columbia River. It is one beautiful piece of country!
Skamania County, where the fair was located, is a portion of the Gorge on the Washington side. They have a "real" country fair in August -- this year was their
99th one! No big commercial booths to take away from the flair of a small town atmosphere. There was free admission and also, a free bus to Skamania that cames to Vancouver to pick up people for the fair and of course, return us back home! The only thing it cost me was time and lunch money. I had both. I only had 2 and half hours at the fair tho but it was enough to get a taste of this small town celebration.
Traveling to the fair, I just sat back and enjoyed the beauty that God provided in the Gorge --I decided I would try to take some photos through the bus window on the way back home. The bus dropped us off at the gate to the fair and continued it's travels to the end of the route.
This is the first scene I saw as I stepped off the bus:
The first area I came to had a children's petting and feeding animals section. The donkey was sure cute
but the poor tortoise was trying to escape constantly -- I think it was too hot for it and wanted some water! It tried to fit through the bars but was too big of course; then it tried to dig a tunnel to go underneath but was also unsuccessful. I felt so sorry for it.
There was the usual kid's art entries and a section for adults also but this was my favorite one. The lady who painted the leaves was there and actually answered my query as to how she did it. She said she gathered some colorful leaves and then tossed them in the air a few times until she got the arrangement she wanted to paint! I loved it! I voted for her entry for the People's Choice Award.
There were numerous quilts but I only photographed a couple. . .the one with the jars of canned veggies and fruit was unique to me. . . I understand you can buy the printed jar material and then you just piece it together. I saw one recently at the Farmers' Market.
The baby quilt was precious and as you can see it won a ribbon. It was so delicate and pretty and I am sure it was a lot of work!
I don't remember who the entertainers were but they were local people who got together for the event. They did mention that some of the musicians also played with other bands. It was a nice variety and I hadn't seen an accordian in awhile.
I did go look at the small animal barn before my time was up. The funniest thing I saw there was two turkeys that the same child was raising. One was called "Thanksgiving" and the other. . . you guessed it. . . "Christmas!" Proof in the signs. . . the turkeys were hiding and who could blame them, knowing they would both be dinner soon.
Most were in cages and it was hard to get good photos of them but here are a few of the animals from this barn:
These were two white turkeys:
These are other birds and one rabbit I saw in the small animal barn:
Winchester, the bunny was being elusive but I sneaked around the other side of the cage and got his picture anyway!
I guess I wasn't there at the right time to see or participate in any of the Timber Carnival events. . . looked interesting tho.
In another blog, I will show some photos for the reason WHY I didn't get to the big animal barn before it was time for the bus to leave the fair. . .I had to make a choice and I think I chose well.
Of course I had to buy some food at the fair and besides Kettle Corn, I had a snow cone and teriyaki steak on a stick. not in that order!
