The Delaware State Fair (Harrington: house, to buy, casino)

[Charley]

Now that I'm recovering, my thoughts are turning toward my next visit to Delaware, just in time for the Delaware State Fair. The fair will run this year from July 17 through 26.

The official link can be found here - Delaware State Fair - July 17-26, 2008 - Welcome

I'd be interested to hear about people's experiences and the activities they enjoy most about the fair. I'll probably be there on Day 3, July 19th. and of course, while there plan to drop into the Harrington Slots and enjoy some of that great buffet.

Who else plans to visit? What are you looking forward to seeing?

Charley

[rdlr]

Still known as the "Har'enton Farr" to locals, along with the name change to the "Delaware State Fair", much has changed since I sat in a little red wagon, and some sleazy old guy pulled me across the stage with fishhooks attached to his eyelids, which were also attached to fishing line leading to the wagon handle. It's also come a long way from when German prisoners were housed on that site during World War II. DELAWARE STATE FAIR

The whole Midway area is paved concrete now, so when it rains Fair Week (it always does) no longer do the kids enjoy runnning and sloushing around in the mud between the rides and game tents, while their parents screamed to "watch the electrical cables". No longer are there "pretty ladies" (as I remember) strutting around on a stage in bathing suits, and for 50 cents, adults could go inside and watch them dance. There was no "gate" admission, and rides cost 10 cents each, escalating to 50 cents by our teen years. Most of we locals exhibiting our animals, would bed down in the straw with our cow, horse, calf, or pig in the barns for the night's sleep. We spent a great deal of time decorating the entrances to our stalls with whatever we decided a good theme might be, and that too, was judged. The "city people" would walk through the barns every day and night, and we would take great pride in explaining how we cared and showed our particular animal. We knew we were "oddities' to them, but we considered ourselves lucky, to live the life we all did.

The Fair is much more dignified now, from my prospective. From others' prospective, who've never been there, "Hee Haw" would probably come to mind. They still have judging of horses, pigs, goats, chickens, ducks, geese, calves, horses, and cows. They still have the guy who will Guess Your Weight, and there's still some 'free' entertainment. The buildings are full of exhibits featuring hand sewn items, crafts, canned goods, garden vegetables....and of course, there's a special 4-H building for those exhibiting through that Club, along with FFA (Future Farmers of America). Big name acts perform throughout the week, along with the Demolition Derby. And, each day there's a 'special' day, including Governors Day, Sr. Citizen Day, and others. Each night, the Citizens Hose Company Band marches to the pavilion area, where they perform to open the evening festivities, and fireworks mark the end of each evening of the Fair. It's very commercial now, and much different from the Har'enton Farr we remember. However, none of the local people I know, would miss going each and every day and night, if for nothing else, to visit with one another at the Grange Tent for a supper of corn on the cob and fresh tomatoes. It's there that we renew our memories of the Har'enton Farr.

[movn2del]

I can't wait for the State Fair! I'm only sorry to say that I won't be there for more days. We close on our house on July 25th, so we will be in Delaware on the 23rd and spending the 24th(my birthday!) at the fair. Woo hoo! Can't wait to see the animals. Hopefully there will be some judging that day. Maybe some fresh preserves to buy (blackberry is my favorite.) Who knows what else we will see. Oh yeah......fresh corn on the cob and tomato dinner sounds wonderful.....yum! Are newbies welcome at the Grange Tent I'm sure it will be great fun for the whole family.!

[Laural]

For the Fair Food Connoisseurs What does Delaware have to offer? It will be my first time to the Delaware Fair. At other fairs I've had, Deep Fried twinkies, Deep fried Oreo's, deep fried snickers, deep fried avocados, they had a krispie kreme donut and chicken sandwich which I never tried. Then of course I always have to have my funnel cake, YUM! So anything interesting to eat at this fair?

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by movn2del

Are newbies welcome at the Grange Tent I'm sure it will be great fun for the whole family.!

Most definitely, movn2del! We hope to meet you there for supper some night! Just a note....preserves, jams, jellies and items such as that are not sold there, just exhibited. I did see one stand, though, selling homemade pies which were trucked in.

[elizamary]

Hi Charley.....

Thanks for posting the link for the delaware state fair!!! WE can always count on you for great information

Last year was our first time at a state fair...period. Never had we been to a state fair ever. My sister told me of the state fair in Jackson Mississippi. She said they had the worlds largest pig. I just remember the smallest horse. Although, I didn't think it was that small.

I believe Thurs was senior day and I think it was half price. I know there is at least one day seniors get a break.

I loved it last year. We had a great time. Rides, exhibits, food and a little shopping. Bought Bill his sunglasses there.

I especially enjoyed the pavillion where they they showed the blue ribbons. Some great quilts, grown produce and all kinds of things.

It is a fun day and we will be there this year too.

If it gets too hot and you want a break, you can always go into Slots and cool off with a little gambling fun.

[CaroleM]

It's been awhile since I've been to the De State Fair but I'm hoping we can make it this year. Few years back hubby took a raffle ticket on a calf.....fortunately he didn't win....

[xitalianacutiex]

Originally Posted by rdlr

The Fair is much more dignified now, from my prospective. From others' prospective, who've never been there, "Hee Haw" would probably come to mind. They still have judging of horses, pigs, goats, chickens, ducks, geese, calves, horses, and cows. They still have the guy who will Guess Your Weight, and there's still some 'free' entertainment. The buildings are full of exhibits featuring hand sewn items, crafts, canned goods, garden vegetables....and of course, there's a special 4-H building for those exhibiting through that Club, along with FFA (Future Farmers of America). Big name acts perform throughout the week, along with the Demolition Derby. And, each day there's a 'special' day, including Governors Day, Sr. Citizen Day, and others. Each night, the Citizens Hose Company Band marches to the pavilion area, where they perform to open the evening festivities, and fireworks mark the end of each evening of the Fair. It's very commercial now, and much different from the Har'enton Farr we remember. However, none of the local people I know, would miss going each and every day and night, if for nothing else, to visit with one another at the Grange Tent for a supper of corn on the cob and fresh tomatoes. It's there that we renew our memories of the Har'enton Farr.

I totally know what you are saying!!!! When I went for the first time I definitely thought it was "he-haw" but still fun. Being the city slicker I am I didn't pay much attention to the animals but if that is your thing....

I thought the food was wayyyyyy overpriced. I think it was about 8 bucks a person between drinks, fries, and a hotdog. For a few bucks more I should have went into the buffet at the casino.

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by xitalianacutiex

I totally know what you are saying!!!! When I went for the first time I definitely thought it was "he-haw" but still fun. Being the city slicker I am I didn't pay much attention to the animals but if that is your thing....
I thought the food was wayyyyyy overpriced. I think it was about 8 bucks a person between drinks, fries, and a hotdog. For a few bucks more I should have went into the buffet at the casino.

Yes, the Fair is fun.....and it's a different kind of fun to different people! Some love the Midway and junk food, and some like to tour the exhibit buildings and eat at the Grange, Rotary, or other food concession run by locals. And, yes, the food is outragiously priced, if you don't know where to go, and if you eat all Midway food. A lot of people enjoy the casino, but in our opinion, we don't think the casino fits well into the "Fair Experience".....so we avoid that place until the Fair is over.

[maryCh]

Hi folks!

This will be our family's first experience with the DE State Fair, and we are SO excited! I'm working my way through the official website, in all my free time (sure!).

While it is our first DE State Fair, it is not the first "country" fair we have encountered. I'm a country girl from rural Ohio, and we moved to DE from rural NC, so we've been to a few "hee-haw" sort of fairs. Can't wait for a bite of midway food, having my kids pet the farm animals (yep, bringin' the hand sanitizer), seeing a tractor pull, and so on! Can't tell you how many years its been since I've seen homemade quilts on display, and I'm so ready to taste test the homemade goods and cast my vote for "best of the best"!

My big project now is to find out if there are multi-day tickets available to get in. With my folks moving to DE this coming week, we'll definitely go on senior day. Will probably run into elizamary and her crew! And Charley, we'll probably see you there as well, as we may end up in Harrington every day the fair is going on. (Note to myself... gotta get the kids involved in 4-H or FFA, probably cheaper to get into the fair!)

movn2del, I'll have to mark my calendar to be at the fair when you and your family are there! Meet me and my group at the farm animals... I'll bring you a "welcome to DE" jar of MY homemade blackberry preserves! I'm an old fashioned girl that still likes to make jams and preserves for gifts... already have 5 dozen jars of strawberry jam made for holiday gift giving. I'm already scouting out the blackberry patches, and searching the "pick your own" options here in central DE. Would love to have at least 5 dozen jars of blackberry done by fair time; it happens to be my favorite too! (Another note to myself, keep searching for jam jars!)

Enough of my ramblings... I'm off to the official website of the Delaware State Fair!

Mary