The Puyallup Fair

Hello to all! I know my posts have been few and far between, but I'm ALMOST caught up and then I'll try to stay current (ha ha ha!)


In September (the 6th to be exact) we did something that we haven't been able to do for years! We went to the Puyallup Fair! (That's pyoo-ALL-up for those who aren't from these here parts!) Anyway, the Fair, as it's called around here, has been a yearly tradition in my family as well as many families in the Western Washington area. Here is a little snippet I found on the Fair website:


The Puyallup Fair (officially known as the Western Washington Fair) is the largest single attraction held annually in the state of Washington. The Fair continually ranks in the top ten largest fairs in the world. The Western Washington Fair Association hosts two annual events, the 17-day Puyallup Fair every September, and the four-day Puyallup Spring Fair every April.
Situated south of Seattle and east of Tacoma in the shadow of majestic Mount Rainier, the Fair & Events Center comprises 169+ acres, with buildings and land valued at more than $54 million. The facilities are available for rent during the year, making the grounds a valuable community resource. A staff of 55 works year-round. Over 1,900+ employees are hired each September during the Puyallup Fair.


So, basically, it's a big deal around here! (Local schools give kids a partial day off to attend. When I was little it was a whole day!) Since we have lived elsewhere for the last 6 years, it's been awhile since we were able to go and we've missed it. Sorry, but the Midsouth Fair is NOT an acceptable alternative!



We made a weekend of it because Lindsay's birthday was the next day. We enjoyed time with family, played at the fair, and had a family get-together Sunday after church for Lindsay's birthday. Here are some of the pix David and I took while we were at the Fair.




All four girls on a bale of hay. You probably already figured that out! ;o)
The girls with a Washington State Patrol officer (lovingly referred to as a "WASP" by locals!). Every year they have a large display (a whole building full) of information and photos about what they do. Fun for us and GREAT for the kids. We were able to grill them on safety and "stranger danger" and not to be scared of people in uniform and not to hide in a fire, etc. This kind officer let us take a picture with him. He was standing by another regular part of their display. Every year they display a vehicle that has been destroyed by a drunk driver to show what can happen. FABULOUS visual for the girls. We walked around the SUV and pointed out to them what things USED to be. It was amazing the power that must have been involved in that crash. There was a carseat in the back (the baby wasn't in it when this happened) and it was still mostly intact - a great lesson in sitting in carseats and boosters as well as always wearing a seatbelt! Unfortunately, the innocent driver of the SUV (a WASP himself) was killed in the crash. There was a small memorial set up for him. DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE.
Lindsay trying to be tall!
Scotlyn gets a foot massage (not really, it wasn't on!).
Scotlyn enjoying the merry-go-round. Savannah is serious about this stuff!
Megan and Lindsay. Posers!

Fair security...watch your p's and q's!

The "junk chime". A huge collection of junk all soldered together. In an attached bucket there are a bunch of sticks so the kids can hit it and make all sorts of noise! Loud, but it keeps them busy for awhile! My mom has made something similar to have in her back yard for when the grandkids come over. They love it!
All the girls got their faces (Lindsay chose her arm) painted and glittered for FREE!!! Here is Scotlyn's ladybug.
I remember going on this ride when I was little! Megan and Savannah enjoyed the quiet, gentle canoe ride around the grass and through the teepees. Lindsay and Scotlyn pouted on the sidelines because they were too big to ride! :o)

MMMMM... greasy, overpriced fair food!
Lindsay was chosen to be the beautiful assistant for this magician's show!

The girls on the kiddie rollercoaster. This was when Scotlyn and I were on the REAL ;o) rollercoaster (a wooden roller coaster still holding a spot in the world top 10 for a 63 degree descent!) so I didn't see it. As you can see, Lindsay and Megan had a great time. He said Savannah loved it too, but it's hard to tell here!
They got to see a real marionette show...
...and Pinocchio came to visit Megan!

Uh oh! Look out! They may have learned to drive in Memphis! ;o)

Have a fabulous day and take care of you! Ruth