State fair

One of our (many) annual traditions is going to the Oregon State Fair at the end of summer. Monday is our day of choice, because rides are half-off and kids are admitted free! Add to that a packed-at-home dinner, and we get a lot of fun for not much money.
This year we first went towards the rides, and let each kid pick a ride to start the afternoon. It was interesting to see their choices; they are kids of habit and they all chose little-kid rides, even Bunny. Mariposa loved the motorized cars:


James chose the helicopter:


And Bunny wanted the super slide:


We headed to the garden area for lunch. Marcus had packed sandwiches/chips/cheese and the like, and we bought a big fresh-squeezed lemonade like we do every year.


Gemma enjoying dinner:





Then we headed to the 4-h barn, one of my favorites. They always have a simple kids' activity that allows the kids to decompress after so much activity on the midway. The kids played in the corn while Marcus rested his ankle and I looked at the exhibits.


At one of the commercial buildings a chicken hatchery company had an incubator with eggs and chicks! The kids loved this! What an amazing thing, to see a chick hatching right before your eyes.


Then off to more rides. Gemma wanted to go in the canoes and James and Mariposa were happy to help.


Bunny always likes riding the tiger roller coaster. This year she even convinced James and me to take a try.


Marcus took the big kids on the Ferris wheel while Gem and I stayed on solid ground:


Bunny wanted to ride the big swings with Marcus, like Aidan had done earlier with his dad.


We finished our night like we do every year: with a giant "road kill" elephant ear. (and yes, we finished it all!)


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