Sunday, September 23, 2007

SPECIAL DAY AT THE FAIR

Yesterday we went to the Common Ground Fair up in Unity, Maine. There were so many people there you could barely move. It is put on each year by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.

This year we only went for the Saturday, in the past we always camped out at the event and stayed the whole weekend. But we took a neighbor kid with us and thought it best to just do the one day.

Usually we volunteer at the Peace Action Maine pea soup booth and at other organization tables. Yesterday we spent our time at the fair through the eyes of an eight year old, taking turns following her around to the various sights and sounds that grabbed her short attention spam.

The animals (ox, cows, horses, mules, sheep, goats, chickens and rabbits) were one area that we visited several times. We also spent considerable time in the children's area watching our young friend make a hat and then she participated in the kids parade through the fair. Our little neighbor friend dressed as a cat in the parade.

My favorite stop was the sheep dog demonstration pictured above. We got quite a show of how border collies shepherd the sheep around just by glaring at them. It was quite wonderful to see.

In between my shifts doing child care I rested at the tables of Maine Veterans for Peace and Military Families Speak Out talking with fellow activists.

After about seven hours we decided to head home. We stopped in Augusta for dinner at a Chinese restaurant because our friend wanted to eat there. By the time we left and were on the highway heading home we found her fast asleep in the back seat of the car.

It was a wonderful day and our little friend told us that it was "the best day of her life."

Can't beat that. The fair is something special for sure.

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