Thursday, August 19, 2010
Nora at the State Fair: Day 14
Posted by Nora Spitznogle on Thu, Aug 19, 2010 at 12:41 PM
I had just a few hours at the Indiana State Fair today, squeezing in a visit between working at Second Helpings at a waitressing shift at the Red Key Tavern.
I lurked around Pioneer Village as they were lining up the tractors for the Daily Parade hoping to find a ride. Hitchhiking seems downright wholesome when you're talking tractors and wagons.
- Nora Spitznogle
I walked by this wondrous tractor and stopped in my tracks - two seats and two steering wheels! What the heck? Not only did Darryl (who has a twin brother named Errol) tell me that the off-set seat was to better see the rows when chisel plowing - there was a chisel plow mounted underneath the tractor - I think, that seems odd now, but I'm sticking with that story.
Darryl invited me to ride in the parade with him ON THE TRACTOR!!! I've ridden on a wagon in the parade before, but never on a tractor - and such an unusual one at that.
Of course I hopped right up on the other seat, grinning like a fool. Other tractor dudes teased Darryl about finding a pretty girl to ride with him - aw, shuck guys, keep talkin'.
We were chatting away and had gone about twenty feet when Darryl stopped and told me to get off the tractor.
What? Had a been gushing too much?
- Nora Spitznogle
There is no competing with a granddaughter. And such a cute one at that!
- Nora Spitznogle
When this guy saw what happened he hopped off of his tractor and stuck me in a wagon that was in the parade - yay!
- Nora Spitznogle
My favorite part of the experience of being in the parade is the staging of the tractors. The tractors leave Pioneer Village and skirt the edge of the Fairgrounds to get to Main Street. Then everyone stops for a bit until the parade starts.
It's been hot as can be and the area where the tractors stop is in full sun at that point. Some folks jump off the tractors and stand in the shade of another vehicle but mostly there is just some good old visiting and joke telling happening. It gave me a chance to introduce myself to the folks in the wagon I'd been launched on to.
- Nora Spitznogle
View from the wagon.
- Nora Spitznogle
The times I've ridden in the parade I've been coached to wave and wave like it's my job.
- Nora Spitznogle
I take it as a challenge to get someone to wave back.
- Nora Spitznogle
I'm not sure if this is a wave or a "go away," but I'm counting it.
- Nora Spitznogle
- Nora Spitznogle
Today is Honoring Our Armed Forces & Veterns Day and ABATE of Indiana Presents Motorcycle Day and School Field Trip Day at the Fair.
- Nora Spitznogle
I had a blast riding in the parade - and it was fun to see NUVO music editor, Scott Shoger as we neared the home stretch - for the record, he did wave back.
- Nora Spitznogle
- Nora Spitznogle
Queen sighting!
- Nora Spitznogle
- Nora Spitznogle
- Nora Spitznogle
After the parade I hung around Pioneer Village and looked at tractors....
- Nora Spitznogle
...and Dick Reel at work...
- Nora Spitznogle
...and wagon wheel makers and fixers.
I took a spin through the FFA building, grabbed a sandwich and headed to work at the Red Key.
Another delightful evening at the Fair.
- Nora Spitznogle
Fair food consumed:
Barto's pulled pork sandwich - great pork on french bread. Just the right size and nicely priced - $3.00
Stuff I acquired:
- Nora Spitznogle
All from the FFA building - A starter kit for home canning, Yoder's popcorn and more of those delicious Olympia caramels.
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