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EDITOR:
What was the American culture and what happened to it? Was it mom and pop, apple pie and Chevrolet? What happened to the American Dream of self reliance, hard work, a man and a woman getting married, buying a house, raising a family in a two parent household, a belief in Christianity and attendance at church on Sunday?
A recent example of our cultural loss was evidenced by the poor attendance record of the 2012 California State Fair which is down 250,000 attendees over the past decade. The Cal Expo General Manager cites hot weather and the failing U.S. economy for the drop in attendance. I guess it couldn’t be poor management, high parking and entrance fees, 11 a.m. admission, 2 p.m. Carnival Rides and lack of participation by all California counties in featuring their communities. Featuring gut wrenching food like deep fried pickles, etc. doesn’t help either.
During my youth, I attended the fair at least twice each year when it was located at the old fair grounds, which was located along Stockton Blvd. My fond memories of the fair include the Counties Building, the Commercial Buildings, the Horticultural exhibit, the farm animal exhibits and the Midway. Daily horse races and nightly grandstand entertainment with fireworks was icing on the cake. There was something at the fair for everyone. Kids went one way while parents went the other. Families reunited by meeting at the Golden Bears in front of the Counties Building at a prescribed time.
Food items included corn dogs, cotton candy, candied apples and ice cream bars. Delicious Orange Julius drinks could be purchased outside of the main gate. Yes, fair time was a wonderful time which signaled the end of summer and the start of school.
Sadly, our children and grandchildren will never know what life was like in America when the American culture was alive and well.
RON ANDERLY
Cameron Park
The Mountain Democrat does not necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy
James E.July 31, 2012 - 10:24 am
I went to the Fair last Friday. It's 10% Fair, and 90% selling. The El Dorado County exhibit, consisting of a vehicle (Jeep?), was shameful. I too long for the wonderful fairs at the old Stockton Boulevard location -- the counties building held magnificent displays. I guess free market selling (90%) is more important than a real fair.
James E.July 31, 2012 - 12:50 pm
Anyone else want to comment on the State Fair and the El Dorado County exhibit
Ken SteersAugust 03, 2012 - 7:09 pm
I haven't attended in so long that I've forgotten what gang I'm a member of. I think I was a shark or a jet.
JohnAugust 03, 2012 - 8:07 pm
Ron Anderly's America existed in Andy Hardy movies only. People went to movies to forget the Great Depression and what a miserable existence they had to endure. And that's just for white people only. As for the Fair, I agree with James: there's little to see beyond huscksters of Made in China goods---and horrendous food.
DarrinAugust 04, 2012 - 10:42 am
Television!
MontyMomAugust 04, 2012 - 10:58 pm
We love the El Dorado County Fair where America is alive and well. I'll never for get when we brought friends a couple of years ago. We brought our chairs and set them up in our favorite spot and prepared to enjoy the fair. Our friends were shocked that we would just leave our stuff, let our kids wander about with cash, and have such a great time. Well, that is why we lI've here. We enjoy all the critters, lot of vendors, great exhibits and food, good music, and great people. (and maybe a beer or two) We haven't been to the state fair so I cannot comment on that.