Monday, May 26, 2014

Memorial Day - St. Mary's Fair

Every year we go to St. Mary's fair, which is held every Memorial Day weekend. The largest high school fair in the country, its a great event indeed.

As usual, we got there just before the gates opened so it wasn't as crowded as it would become as the day went on. This meant less lines, more rides and less rowdiness.

The fair provides an interesting yardstick to watch the kids grow. From what feels like just last year when they could only do the little baby rides, they're now off and doing the bigger kid rides like Cliffhanger and Pharoah's Fury and Vertigo. It won't be long until they're doing the seriously major rides.

They did the dragon coaster on their own:

The kids would even go on these big rides alone, repeatedly. Just yesterday they were either too short to ride or if they were of size, you couldn't get them on the rides for love or money.

Amazing how time flies.

Both kids loved the Cliff Hanger

Last year Leah was too small to ride it, but this year she made the height cut-off and came with me and Abby so we had a whole hang glider just for us, and went on the ride twice.

They also loved Pharoah's Fury, and this was the first year for both of them:

That ride swings back and forth going higher and higher until it feels like you're 90 degrees away from where you started. Lots of funa nd they went again, and again, and again, and even put their hands up in the air while the ride went back and forth.

The view from the top of the ferris wheel gave a nice overview of some of the fair's attractions.

For lunch at the fair we had the by now traditional Polish Combo - Kielbasa, stuffed cabage, saukraut, pickle and rye bread and three pierogies. I also had a nice cold glass of Tyske beer to accompany the meal. It was a decent Polish lager, not a great beer, but cold and refreshing.

As every year, it was a great time and a nice tradition continued.

4 comments:

Keads said...

Nice! Ever been to Hammond In for Perogiefest?

Scott said...

Hah! Last week they couldn't make the height on the ride, next week they'll be asking for the car keys! Lauren started driving this week, so it's freshly in front of me.

Enjoy it all, my friend. It's a crazier, better ride than Pharoah's Fury, certainly!

Expatriate Owl said...

The 4th of July fair at the hospital where my wife works was scrubbed about 15 years ago, supposedly on account of insurance and liability concerns.

What a shame! Kids (ages 3 to 120) have a good time, the institution nurtures community goodwill and raises some money in the process, the carnival amusement companies make money and employ people, the kids are not hanging out on the street corners -- What is there to not like about those events?

Aaron said...

Kerads: Nope, never been there, we may ahve to go check it out.

Scott: Yes indeed. Abby was able to drive a bumper car and I saw my future insurance rates right there.

It is indeed the ride of a lifetime.

Expat Owl: That's a shame, the whole point of these fairs is to have fun and make good memories.