A day at the State Fair

exhibit their wares, continues to boast
a variety of craft shows and
agricultural exhibits from around the
state. The crowd meandered through
aisles of prize pigs, goats, sheep and
cows for the annual inspection of farm
animals. The pigs grunt, the cows moo,
all the spectators listen to the barnyard
cacaphony and smile contentedly, back
in touch with nature again.
The fair combined an odd mixture of
Midwestern culture, Detroit industry
and carnival hype resulting in days full
of fun and frolic. Much of the activity
centered on the midway, an area of glit-
ter, rides, toys and games. The crowd
walked up and down the rows of attrac-
tions all day, and all night. After-all, the
state fair was underway. Boredom was
unthinkable.
"See Kanya, the lady turn into a 400-
pound gorilla before your eyes," a
barker commanded gesturing toward a
tent adorned with before and after pic-
tures of a tall blond woman beside a
hulking, hairy gorilla.
The proprietor warned the audience
to stand far behind a chain so flimsy it
couldn't hold a ten-pound dog and
repeated for the umpteenth time the
saga of Kanya's change. As he talked
about hypnosis and twisted a dial, the
image began to change from a woman
to a gorilla that lunged frantically
toward the crowd. The operator pulled
a cord and the curtain fell. The show is
over and the crowd moves on.
Another facet of the fair, the musical
ensemble Enchantment twirled and
harmonized through some foot-
stomping, funky music in the music
shell. The hometown audience respon-
sively clapped and swirled to the beat
emanating energy: pure positive
energy.
Music of 'another kind reverberated
through the air on the other side of the
grounds as the swaying strains of the
polka drifted through the air. All ages
of dancers polkaed, competing for a
prize from the Kowalski sausage com-

pany.
Darkness descended, the rides lit up
and the neon glitter glowed through the
darkness as the crowd moved from
event to event with unabating energy.

After playing the games, paying the
money and riding the rides all day, the
energized participants strolled around
again.
One more time.


0,

m