I imagine that back when the islands were organized into a county, getting to the fair meant boats for a few folks. Maybe it still does. Driving across causeways and bridges or taking a ferry, is still a two hour trip to get from the tip of Camano over to the fairgrounds on Whidbey. That's tough enough without the necessary excursion through city traffic or waiting in ferry lines, yet many do it with little kids and livestock, and stay for four days.

 

My visit is much shorter. For a few hours I wander through the barns, looking at stylish chickens, regal alpacas, energetic puppies, and soon-to-escape bunnies. Walking past the fairgrounds the following week always yields views of fanciful rabbits tamely munching their way along the sidewalk. I also like going early, before the animal sculptures made from vegetables turn into pruney contortions. The arts are always impressive. There is a lot of talent on the islands. There are rides, which I'm too tall for; and games, that I know are harder than they seem. I miss the fair food. My digestive tract and I have been in negotiations lately over what is acceptable. Wheat seems to be out, which eliminates a lot of menu choices. Really I go for two reasons, the people and the music; and then combining both in dance. There’s a lot to see and do.

 

County fairs are celebrations of rural passions. I don't think I heard the word "passion" last night, and if I did it probably had more to do with romance than with farm work. Considering the number of baby strollers and some of the younger folks' fashion choices, that version of passion was definitely in mind. But the buildings were also full of thousands of examples of the results of people's other passions. I particularly appreciate that most of them know and understand frugality far more than most in mainstream suburbia. These are busy people who carve out money, time, and effort to produce something they are proud of, then travel to display it, and compete for prizes that mean a lot but may be no more than simple strips of cloth.

 

There's an image of today's American of sitting in front of a screen, TV, PC or game box, while eating chips, drinking soda, while also talking and texting with people who aren't in the room. Some are doing that. Many are doing that. Many, however, are not.

 

The fair also had a forest of pavilions and an entire building set aside for vendors, usually small businesses, that are trying to make a living by guessing what people will buy. Shopping malls do the same thing, but they don't reinvent themselves every year. Every year at the fair is a brand new set of guesses and ventures. Those people were passionate too. At least they were determined enough to arrange a booth, and then sit in it for about twelve hours a day for four days in a row. They gave up a slice of summer weather to patiently watch crowds flow by, hoping to attract at least some small percentage. As I heard one vendor advise another, "You just have to get used to trying, sighing, and then smiling again as the next one comes by." (paraphrased)

 

There were plenty of cosmetics and jewelry for sale, a few booths for ideologies and causes, but most of the vendors were selling solutions. Home improvement and health were prevalent. The booth for the healthy living store was possibly the busiest, but that might be because their products were cheaper than window replacement services or fireplace inserts.

 

The food choices were different too. Corn dogs and elephant ears were for sale, but not for me. Sigh. But I was able to find a salad, and there were breadless options. I didn't try hot dog on a stick. I didn't try strawberries on a stick either. Both looked good. Actually, I knew that the local deli, outside the fair, had chicken half off after 5PM. That was more gratifying, cheaper, and the line was much shorter. After that I was full enough, and just filled in with the leafy greens.

 

Pragmatic was shouldering aside showy. Less processed was making headway against industrial foodstuffs, though the battle has only just begun. People were recycling plastic, and were more likely to be drinking water instead of soda.

 

Lots of the trends for sustainable living are sneaking their way into people's lives. And here's the thing, they weren't complaining about it. The world may be in distress, and activists may bemoan our condition and warn of dire times ahead. They usually have data to back them up, but I think they get the "dire" part wrong. People are adaptable. It is why we survive. And a lot of t-shirts had a new word trending across them - Thrive. People want change, and they are making it happen, and they know how to do it while laughing, smiling, and playing; without giving up their passions.

 

The entrance fee for the Island County Fair was $7. I think that's up from last year. Was it worth it? Oh yeah. Where else can I spend so little and see that much passion and hope?