The Delaware State Fair... (Georgetown, Harrington: houses, camp, closing)

[rdlr]

I'll probably be volunteering at the Fair so I swung by there to check out the set up of concessions and booths. Very quiet today, but watch out for tomorrow! It goes up fast! Here are a couple of photos.....the quiet before the storm!

[Legendof302]

Originally Posted by rdlr

The Exhibit Hall is air conditioned and we spend a lot of time in there. We watch the weather reports and save the barns, livestock, poultry, and animal exhibits for the coolest day. The casino is Really Cold! When we get over-heated, we go inside there. After all, Harrington Raceway & Casino was originally named Midway Slots! The walls and decor were a fairground theme, with murals of Big Bertha, a fire eater, snake charmer, and other interesting depictions. They have cleaner restrooms, and hand sanitizers are throughout. Get a slot card if you don't have one, and you can park close to the casino, in the west parking lot (not the huge field). From there, air conditioned limos run continuously to and from the casino, which is fenced off from the Fairgrounds. Then you just pay the admission to the Fairgrounds at the gate leading from the casino to the Fairgrounds. If you've had a slot card for awhile, you will get a couple free gate admission tickets to the Fairgrounds. We learned quickly. A big perk for us is being local. There's always somebody we know riding around in a golf cart delivering or picking up something on the grounds, and we usually get lots of rides.

I'm not working at the Fair this year, and didn't last year. I volunteered for many years and made trip after trip delivering bottled water to other volunteers working in various positions. I did miss that last year.....(maybe I'll reconsider)........

That's good advice for everybody rdlr,

There is AC for people all over the fair so the heat should be no excuse to not go.

I think more people from the surrounding Wilmington area should go down there for that "cultural experience" at least one time.

[rdlr]

Today is Opening Day, and everything is in place. Concession stand workers are busy scrubbing their grills and stoves, while the stuffed animals are being hung around the fish ponds and bowling pin games. A little cooler down there today, so it should be nice tonight when the Fair opens at 5 p.m. As many times as I've been down there this week, I've never seen the world's smallest horse, or smallest pig. They must be pretty small. Here are a couple of snapshots from today's visit, and some additional information on the fair:
Delaware State Fair celebrates 93rd year July 19-28 - CapeGazette.com - Covering Delaware's Cape Region - Inland Bays, Atlantic Ocean, Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Milton, Dewey Beach, USA

[little eggplant]

I'm not going unless I can get my cotton candy fix

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by little eggplant

I'm not going unless I can get my cotton candy fix

Plenty there, in all COLORS! Goes good after a Donut Burger.

[rdlr]

Many more benches were added throughout the exhibit areas this year, which makes it much easier. Today was overcast, but I thought a very pleasant day to walk around and see it all. They were doing a sound check this morning for Sugarland, who will perform tonight, and is sold out. The craft, photography, needlework, and sewing categories have been judged, along with the fresh vegetables, fruit, and grains. The sheep judging was going on about noon time.

Every year I think it can't get any better, but it always does!

[Kristin730]

We went today and had a wonderful time!

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by Kristin730

We went today and had a wonderful time!

That's great, Kristin! We went twice today - this morning for 3-4 hours, and we went back again this evening. On the Bonz Patio at the Casino, there was a really good band playing island music. They were all great musicians, but I especially enjoyed that steel drum sound. ..... "Red, Red, Wine"....and a lot of good tunes. . After that, we went to see Cheap Trick and Styx. Awesome! We left a little early to beat the crowds, and ended up back at the Bonz Patio again to see Crossing Delmar, another good local band. Great food out on the patio, too. We ordered up jumbo coconut shrimp on skewers, grilled right there by the Bonz chef. The shrimp were huge, and tasty. And, the dipping sauce was very good, too! It's been a wonderful weekend for us, and I can't stop thinking about all of that great music!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5MAg_yWsq8

[rdlr]

For All Interested: Senior Day is no big deal anymore, having no admission for seniors. With a Harrington Casino slot card (apply at the Players Club Desk at Harrington's Casino) admission to the Fair is free for all over 21 years old, any day, all day, all week, any time. That's even if you intend to use your slot card in the casino, or not. The card also guarantees you an air conditioned 1/2 mile bus ride to the Fairgrounds gate, vs. riding a wagon from the Farmington area parking areas. We've never paid a Fairground admission in 16-17 years, since the Casino was built. We usually go twice/day, every day the entire week, and there's no gate admission.
(this is just another little tidbit of info for newcomers)

[brava4]

Thanks for all the photos!!! I love seeing everything.