I’m going to start with these two pictures below because when I think of this fair I simply think, “I had such a good time.” And I think these pictures capture that very good time.
We had an incredible turn out of 1200 over the two days! The amazing part was that it never felt like that many people. Everyone spread out: holding puppies and chicks in the animal tent, connecting with vendors in the barn, watching the blacksmith or holding a lamb in the grove, pounding nails and splitting wood in the productive playground, visiting with the 20+ family economy vendors or eating great food at the two food trucks. With all that going on, it just never felt crowded.
I believe one of the greatest gifts of this fair is the gift of a deadline. I remember hearing about the power of completion… so many of these items for sale seem like a good idea, but when would you actually make the goods? But a deadline like a fair can really put a fire under a family! I made goat milk soap and soap eggs, and it wasn’t until the morning before that we made a logo and stickers for my packaging. The deadline forces completion, and I’m so grateful! I know other families felt it too. There were really great items for sale. I bought two kinds of gluten-free granola, a bag of coffee beans, a pottery mug, a macrame key chain, magnesium oil, natural bug spray and a leather bracelet.
One of my favorite moments of the whole two days was when I was talking to my mom telling her how much I needed some chapstick. She said, “I’ll go buy you some in your barn!” How awesome is that?!!
Four years ago we called this event our “Farm Baby Open House” where we invited everyone to come see the new life born each spring on our farm. That part has stayed the same because “new life never gets old.”
There was live music this year, a few different families making a joyful noise together. We hadn’t planned it, but at the last second Rory came and found our whole family and said, “Ivar wants us to sing Hold us Together.” So we all got up there and I couldn’t stop smiling the whole time.
The third annual pie social was another huge success. We don’t have a sign up for this. I have no idea if any pies will even show up (except for mine, Elsie’s, Hattie’s and my mom’s…so at least I know we’ll have four pies!) But each day there was just enough to feed everyone who wanted a slice- 25 pies the first day, and 21 pies the second! Incredible!
There were demonstrations happening all the while: blacksmithing, spinning and weaving, pottery, rope making, goat milking and sawmilling.
Which brings me back to exactly what I said at the beginning of this very-long, picture-heavy blog post: I had a great time. I loved every minute of this fair. I loved opening up every square inch of our farm (pie judging in my kitchen! parking in our pasture! vendor families sleeping in our barn upstairs, living room, camper and cabin!) And we pray that every family left inspired to try something new, to work with their hands. Together with their family.
I’ll leave you with this favorite picture below. This is Rory hustling out to mow down some more parking lot. What a great problem to have. And what an awesome solution.
