Just returned home from the Somerset County 4-H Fair out at North Branch Park in Branchburg.  It was probably the best weather we’ve had for the fair in years, which explains why it was probably the most crowded fair we’ve attended in years, but it was also the muddiest fair in memory.  The fair runs for three days, Wednesday through Friday, during the second week of August, and at this time of the year it’s not unusual to experience high humidity and isolated afternoon thunderstorms.  A few storms were in the area on Wednesday and Thursday, but absolutely nothing today, hence the huge turnout, but even after getting caught at the fair last year in a torrential downpour, last year’s mud was miniscule by comparison to the mire we slogged through.  Next year, I’m wearing my Wellies.

K. was excited to see some sheep up close and personal – at one point a sheep even licked her face – and W. had fun holding the baby ducks, chicks, and checking out the model train exhibits.  Lots of beef cattle, dairy cattle, goats, llamas, alpacas, horses, dogs, poultry, rabbits, hamsters, civets, snakes, toads, lizards…  radio controlled airplanes and race cars, huge tractors, diggers and front-end loaders on display and for the kids to try out… and a big food tent in the middle of it all.  No rides or corn dogs, mind you, and it’s not quite the Midwest state fair, but it’s as close as we get in New Jersey.

By the way, the July 2009 National Geographic carries a pretty good piece by Garrison Keillor on the Midwest state fair, complete with some not-too-bad pictures.  Check it out right here.

Anyway, now we’re all showered and cleaned-up, the kids are in bed, and it’s time to unwind.  You can view the photos from the 4-H Fair over in the photo gallery.