I woke up extra early, excited jitters already bouncing around in my belly. Today was the opening day of the County Fair, something I looked forward to every year ever since I was a little kid begging my parents to go on the spinning rides until I felt sick. Now at sixteen, I was finally old enough that my parents trusted me to wander the fair alone to meet up with friends. I had my whole day planned out to maximize ride time and friend time. I was determined to have the Best. Day. Ever.
I started by dressing the part. I picked out my favourite pair of cutoff jean shorts paired with a red and white striped tank top and my comfy white Converse sneakers perfect fair-going attire. I finished off my outfit with a simple gold pendant necklace with my initial “J” for Joanne. One last spritz of body spray to top it all off and I was good to go! I slung my small crossbody purse over my shoulder, stuffed with some cash, my phone, and my entry ticket.
The delicious aroma of fried dough and funnel cakes filled the air as soon as I stepped onto the fairgrounds. My stomach grumbled loudly and I realized maybe I should have eaten breakfast first, Oh well, the heavenly scent would have to do for now. I continued past the rows of food trucks and carnival games, searching for the spot near the Ferris wheel where I told my three best friends I’d meet them.
Just then I felt a tap on my shoulder and spun around to see Becca’s smiling face staring back at me. “Joanne, over here!” she squealed. I followed her eagerly to the tall lamp post she was pointing to, where Natalie and Sam were already waiting. We exchanged excited hugs and shorthand stories about how impatient we were to get on some rides. I loved that we could always just pick up where we left off, even if we hadn’t hung out for a few weeks.
We decided to start off small with the Tilt-a-Whirl, working our way up to the more extreme rides. But first–funnel cake! We pooled our tickets to play carnival games too, teaming up to win giant stuffed pandas at the basketball free-throw stands. Nothing brings you closer together than the collective adrenaline rush of amusement park rides! I felt so present in the moment, laughing together about our scoring dance moves and inside jokes.
When we finally made it onto the Zipper, I screamed my lungs out while Natalie held my hand for moral support. By the time we stumbled off, delirious with dizziness, my stomach ached from laughing so hard. Somehow we rallied our spirits for one last ride on the Double Shot drop tower before it started getting dark. I honestly wasn’t sure my legs could handle being flung into the air and suddenly dropped yet again. But I mustered my last ounces of energy, determined to create the most epic fair memories with my best friends.
Sure enough, that last ride took me right up to my limits. My friends teased me good-naturedly about looking a bit green as I wobbled unsteadily down the exit ramp. Maybe I’d finally reached ride nirvana and fried food heaven all it once! I found myself thinking dreamily about collapsing into my cozy bed as we headed towards the glowing fair exit signs. This year’s county fair truly exceeded my expectations for summer fun. Riding adrenaline highs and sugar lows with my best friends? I couldn’t imagine a more perfect day.
