Friday, September 12, 2008

The Puyallup Fair

I guess you could say I went 1½ times to the Fair this year.  The first day, Friday September 5th Bob & I went out for about 4 hours.  Then this last Tuesday I went again with my grandson Harrison.  We stayed a little longer than Bob & I did.  Both times we went on the bus from the nearby mall transit center.  They have special buses that go from the different transit centers directly to the fair grounds.  The fare is $3 each for the round trip.  So much easier than battling the traffic & getting in and out of the fair parking lots where they charge up to $10 to park.

Both days I was there is was sunny and warm...about 75* with a breeze.  Perfect fair going weather !   The first day is was free admission until noon so there were a ton of people there.  Over 73,000 to be exact.  There were long lines for everything.  Tuesday the attendance was about 35,000 so it was very pleasant. 

Usually both of my grand kids enter a lot of things in the fair but Meghanne took this fair off.  She had so many things entered in the Spring Fair...she decided not to enter anything this fall.  Harrison did enter on kit model but that's all. 

Some fair facts; Over 100 years old The Western Washington Fair (or Puyallup Fair because the grounds are located in the town of Puyallup) is the largest single attraction held annually in the state of Washington.  It continually ranks among the top ten largest fairs in the world.  It sits on 169 acres in the Puyallup Valley. There are 55 year round staff but the number swells to 1,900 for the fair in September.   If you're interested in more history of our fair, check out this web site; http://www.thefair.com/utility/about-us/history.php 

The grandstand shows have many big names preforming each year. Among those artists this year are; Casting Crowns, Kid Rock, Ronnie Milsap, Fergie, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Carrie Underwood, Michael W Smith and Steen Curtis Chapman.  The shows are pretty expensive and the seats are uncomfortable so I'd rather buy a CD than sit in a cramped uncomfortable seat for 1½ hours.

I took pictures both days and I hope you all enjoy them..........

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

I did enjoy your pictures those flowers were beautiful ~ and the size of that pumpkin it was huge :o) ~ looks like a great Fair ~ Ally x

Anonymous said...

great pics!

Anonymous said...

Linda, your pics of the fair and your description of it were wonderful.  It reminds me very much of our fair we have every year here in Toronto.  It is called the Candian National Exhibition.  They unfortunately have changed greatly over the years and it is not in any way as good as years gone past.  You have many differences in your fair which I really love and I am going to try and email our website here for the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) and ask someone to look at your pics and put some of the things that your fair incorporates  into ours I would have loved going to that fair, maybe one day my friend and I could meet you there. Again  thank you for your wonderful entry I really enjoyed it.  I put our website for you to go and visit the Canadian National Exhibition it is quite different than yours but alike also, I would love for them to bring back all the things you still have in your fair far more interesting to me.  

http://www.theex.com/

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed your pictures! Such creative things to see at the fair! I would have spent hours there looking at all of the stuff. Glad you had a good time. Thanks for sharing these with us. I REALLY enjoyed them!
Pam

Anonymous said...

Sigh...wish I was there with you!

Anonymous said...

I have not been to a fair in years! I keep saying that I am going to go to our local fair, but I have no idea when it even is.
Kelli
http://journals.aol.com/kamdghwmw/noonmom

Anonymous said...

(LOL, I read Kelli's comments; I think we'll have to find the local fair and take her to it)

I loved the pictures! the food made me hungry! its always good there too, isn't it?
nope, I wouldn't pay $10 for that ride that would make me scream!! that was a huge pumpkin; it amazes me they can grow that big!!

a nice line up of performers too; I like how they include a little bit of each type of music including Christian music

all in all, seems like a GREAT fair and it seems like you/grandson/Bob at different times had a wonderful time there!!!

betty

Anonymous said...

Wow, what a huge fair! Great pics--I loved the piglets, and then that massive bank of dahlias. Beautiful! And I would have gone to see Kid Rock, but he's probably not for everybody. ;)

Have a great weekend!
Beth

Anonymous said...

Thanx Linda,  You saved me some money.  Now I don't have to go anywhere this summer because I've just been to the PAYALLUP FAIR!!!!                             Marlene

Anonymous said...

I am so glad you had such a good time at the fair. Our fairs are small country fairs but they are still alot of fun to go to. I would have probably had panic attacks being around  that many people. I dont do very well with amusement parks either. I am so glad that the weather was nice for you. ..hugs, Christine

Anonymous said...

Great pictures - I'll bet it was a lot of fun.

Jimmy

Anonymous said...

What fun Linda.  Nice pictures too.  Thanks for sharing.
Hugs, Joyce

Anonymous said...

Our fair in MA in Tospfield is good but this fair is truly unbelievable! I see all the hand done items and that is something I miss at our fairs now. Sure looks like you had alot fun!
Nancy

Anonymous said...

We plan to attend this Saturday if all goes well. Last year was in the hospital during the fair. Just really want to see old friends that I used to work with out there. Miss it but not all that much hehehe  Hugs Lanny

Anonymous said...

Hey Aunt Linda I found your blog!  How are you? We're going to the fair on Saturday morning, I just know it's going to be packed:(  I'm glad you had a good time. We hav'nt gone the last couple years because it ends up being so expensive but the kids have free tickets from school so at least that's a savings. I'ts the rides that will cost a fortune.  Come and see me at my blog!  www.12weeksatatime.blospot.com   Good to "see" you!  Love, Becky

Anonymous said...

The fair looks like it was so much fun.....loved the pictures! Those are some great artists performing.....but I agree with the lousy seats and stuff for the money it costs. Thanks for sharing.

Pooh Hugs,
Linda

Anonymous said...

Wow, from the pictures, you are right, it is a big fair.  Glad you had fun :o)

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for taking us to the fair with you Linda!  I really enjoyed the pictures.  My goodness but your fair sure attracts some big names as far as entertainment goes!  I do miss County fairs over here.  I always used to enter things, such as preserves, pickles some baked goods and also some of my crafts.  I hope you have a lovely weekend!
love,
marie
http://ayearatoakcottage.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Great pictures. What an amazing fair, and sooo big!
Glad you had a good time but it must have been very tiring.

B. x

Anonymous said...

Loved the pictures and all the flowers!!
I still wear tye dye, lol.....
and I have embroidered scarfs and doilies that my mom and grandma made...
we always eat fried chicken, steak and zuchinni when we go to the fair and cotton candy.....
Linda :)

Anonymous said...

It sounds like another great year for the fair.  Our weather was bad most of the week so our big fair had the lowest attendance in 15 years.  I only got through half of the pics - will check the rest out later.  I enjoyed the ones I saw!!
Lisa

Anonymous said...

I did enjoy all the pictures! Looks like a very big fair! Lots to see and do for sure. :) I cant wait to go to our big fair here. Its coming up in a couple of weeks! Thanks for sharing so many wonderful pictures. :) Hugs, Kelly