Well today is the day! It marks the first day of the Ionia Free Fair right in my little home town. I will be down there tonight and every other night for the next 10 days. It is the 10 best days of summer you know!
The fair is one of my favorite times of year. I don’t know if its because everyone complains so much about it that I just have to be there proving them wrong, showing that is a lot of fun and not just a pain in the butt, but either way I think it is awesome! I take pictures down at the fair every year of families who love the fair just as much as I do. We take them in front of the ferris wheel, next to the carousel, under the grand stands, and all over trying to include some of the best features of the fair. I have six of these sessions booked for this summer and I cannot wait!
The fair is more to me than just photos though. My family takes their camper down there and we plan family dinners every night of the fair. It has been one of the best bonding moments for my family and I. Our dinners are usually better than the fair food most nights but heck even I can’t deny myself one of those greasy corn dogs or basket of fries. What about those carmel apples or deep fried Oreos?! My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
I grew up at the fair. I used to enter crafts into the 4-H barn. I was never very good at crafts but I sure could bake! One year I got the best of show award on my banana cake! It was delicious. I showed my pup, Comet, at the fair in 4-H for six years and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I was able to spend time with my dog and get a great experience doing it.
Don’t think of the fair as just some smelly old fair that a lot of random people go to. Think of it as a great time to spend with family and friends. You don’t have to go to the fair just to ride the rides, make sure you head back to the barns and see all of the animals! I’ll be photographing the pigs on Saturday afternoon! Be sure to check out the Miracle of Life exhibit, they have newborn baby animals of different types. I think they just had a cow and some guinea pigs born in the last couple days! Don’t forget about the Antique Village, where you can show your kids the history of Ionia and the history of the fair. There is more to offer than just the rides!
Anywho, enjoy some of these photos I took down there last year! Keep an eye on my Facebook page for new images from this year !
KB Photography 