Novel Idea

The Anoka County Fair opened today.  I've watched the fairgrounds get ready day by day.  The sign gets posted.  The trash cans come in and are lined up in 2 rows of 10.  Then the portable biffies are dropped off.  The fence around the beer garden gets put up.  Rows of folding chairs are arranged facing the band shell.  The doors are open to the animal barns and hay is put in the stalls.  Some of the kiddie rides such as the giant strawberries that go around in a circle arrived on Saturday.  The bigger rides didn't come until Sunday.  The carnies have their RV's packed tightly together along the fence.  By Monday evening all the rides were set up.  Last night young girls wearing shorts and cowboy boots were grooming their horses.  Horse trailers crowd the northern entrance.  Microphones are set up and sound systems checked.  Electric cords are everywhere.  Excitement is rising.  This gives me an idea.  If I ever were to write a novel I could write one about the Anoka County Fair.  Many fascinating stories happen between Tuesday morning and Saturday night.  Couples get engaged.  Other couples break up.  There has to be an interesting story about the winner of the diaper derby and the big wheel contest.  There is lots of drama in the grandstand with a motocross derby, the tractor pull and, my personal favorite, the demo derby.  The beer gardens provide plenty of entertainment including a strolling polka show and bands named Snaggletoof and Hitface.  The 4H barn opens a whole new chapter of ideas with the seed art, fashion contest, and prize winning pickles.  Pony rides, the blacksmith shop, the pork chop stand, conservative politicians, and the old school house - what about that one time I personally faked confidence and hid my shaking hands so as not to scare my niece as we rode on the double ferris wheel?  That was a feat of emotional strength if there ever was one. Wow, there is a story just waiting to be written here.