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Friday, June 17, 2005 · posted at 1:05 AM

Mmm. Reprocessed pig fat.

The county fair is back - bringing summer concerts, petting zoo animals, rickety rides, and roasted, bbq-ed, fried and chocolate-dipped foods with all their fat-filled goodness.

To the novice fair-goer, all the stands and booths may be overwhelming. Actually, even to the seasoned fair-goer, the variety of food is worth at least one full day trip or two evening trips (my roommate went four times during its four week stint last year). This year I've figured out the trick to maximizing your food/music/ride intake.

Food: Like Thanksgiving, prep your stomach for the gorge fest by snacking or drining throughout the day. The body can only take so much grease at a time, so alternate fried foods between... well all other foods. Example: fried zucchini (which is not zucchini slices or wedges, but a whole zucchini battered and fried), roasted corn, Australian battered potatoes, soft serve ice cream, calamari, kettle corn, funnel cake, Polish sausage, etc. Rides make a good intermission from eating.

Music: Enjoy concurrently with food. Load up with refreshments (see above) and head to the concert seating area. Settle down to snack and listen to the music - if you can hear it over the munching of your food. Check the concert schedule when you get there. We lucked out and happened to go on the day that old school R&B group 112 performed (this was the second "1996 was almost a decade ago? good gracious I'm old" moment of the week).

Rides: I'm not a huge ride person to begin with. Add in the fact that these rides are thrown up in the matter of a few days and not even the $42 value pack that includes ride tickets can convince me to go on more than a couple. However, if rides are your thing, I recommend you do all your rides back-to-back. This way you'll minimize the appetite depression that comes with disorientation and you can sooner start the food cycle over again.

Also, the best-value ride? The race-your-potato-sack-down-a-giant-slide kiddie ride "Fast Trax" for 4 tickets. I'm not just saying this because I won (perhaps the one time being bottom heavy is an advantage). From the steps up to the top, you get an aerial view of the carnival's twinkling lights. While some of the other rides bring you up to amazing heights as well, you'll likely be too anxious, too upside-down, or too busy stopping your heart from leaping out of your chest to truly appreciate it.

So aside from food, fun and the opportunity to see a population of San Diego you seldom remember exists, what makes the fair such an important tradition? The county fair is the unofficial harbinger of summer. Next up: 4th of July fireworks, beach hooky days, weekend road trips, late sunsets...

I can't wait... well maybe I can wait until after one more chocolate-covered frozen banana...



	Friday, June 17, 2005 · posted at 1:05 AM Mmm. Reprocessed pig fat. The county fair is back - bringing summer concerts, petting zoo animals, rickety rides, and roasted, bbq-ed, fried and chocolate-dipped foods with all their fat-filled goodness. To the novice fair-goer, all the stands and booths may be overwhelming. Actually, even to the seasoned fair-goer, the variety of food is worth at least one full day trip or two evening trips (my roommate went four times during its four week stint last year). This year I've figured out the trick to maximizing your food/music/ride intake. Food: Like Thanksgiving, prep your stomach for the gorge fest by snacking or drining throughout the day. The body can only take so much grease at a time, so alternate fried foods between... well all other foods. Example: fried zucchini (which is not zucchini slices or wedges, but a whole zucchini battered and fried), roasted corn, Australian battered potatoes, soft serve ice cream, calamari, kettle corn, funnel cake, Polish sausage, etc. Rides make a good intermission from eating. Music: Enjoy concurrently with food. Load up with refreshments (see above) and head to the concert seating area. Settle down to snack and listen to the music - if you can hear it over the munching of your food. Check the concert schedule when you get there. We lucked out and happened to go on the day that old school R&B group 112 performed (this was the second "1996 was almost a decade ago? good gracious I'm old" moment of the week). Rides: I'm not a huge ride person to begin with. Add in the fact that these rides are thrown up in the matter of a few days and not even the $42 value pack that includes ride tickets can convince me to go on more than a couple. However, if rides are your thing, I recommend you do all your rides back-to-back. This way you'll minimize the appetite depression that comes with disorientation and you can sooner start the food cycle over again. Also, the best-value ride? The race-your-potato-sack-down-a-giant-slide kiddie ride "Fast Trax" for 4 tickets. I'm not just saying this because I won (perhaps the one time being bottom heavy is an advantage). From the steps up to the top, you get an aerial view of the carnival's twinkling lights. While some of the other rides bring you up to amazing heights as well, you'll likely be too anxious, too upside-down, or too busy stopping your heart from leaping out of your chest to truly appreciate it. So aside from food, fun and the opportunity to see a population of San Diego you seldom remember exists, what makes the fair such an important tradition? The county fair is the unofficial harbinger of summer. Next up: 4th of July fireworks, beach hooky days, weekend road trips, late sunsets... I can't wait... well maybe I can wait until after one more chocolate-covered frozen banana...	Recent Posts But Cousin Larry...Why is it that all the calls du... You know you're getting old when the answers to EW... This is our island. It’s a good island. Until the ... I had a stereo that was very decent, a wardrobe th... Here's the truth: People, even regular people, are... You know how sometimes when you're channel surfing... To have and to hold. This weekend was my roommate... Troy: See Lainy, this is all we need. A couple of ... The past is a foreign country. So as much as I lo... Me (researcher): I'm trying to get an idea of how ... Morning news babie goose ryan bluemouse daves son dawntaught desiree diorama emily escadawg galveric high entropy invisible cube jepgato kyellow lilly mhuang mogbert nudream starfish + coffee verbivore Archives March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 January 2007 March 2007 April 2007 November 2008

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