The State Fair

Ah, the State Fair.

Funnel cakes, 4-H exhibits, cooking shows, deep-fried everything. The sights, the smells, the energy.

I had the opportunity to go back to the Kentucky State Fair again this year. My co-workers and I manned a booth for the American Cancer Society, and we took turns walking around to check out all the great offerings the fair had.

First, I had to check out the 4-H Cloverville exhibit to find all of Anna’s entries. I found 12 of them, but never did find the 13^th – a photo.

It was so fun to look at all the creative work that kids from across Kentucky had submitted. Pillows, pictures, paintings. Quilts, jams, produce. Clothing, posters, wood crafts. So many great ideas.

The food entries were interesting by the 9^th day of the fair. Alas, all of the banana bread, including Anna’s, had already been tossed. Most of the other culinary items that were still in the case needed to meet that same fate. And soon.

Then I walked through aisle after aisle of vendors. They were selling EVERYTHING. Things I didn’t even know existed. Things I didn’t realize I needed until I saw them.

Splat balls. Dips of all kinds. Grilling accessories. Mattresses. Hot tubs. T-shirts. Hair bows. Chair massages. You name it, it was there.

Off-handedly, as I was still walking, I asked the Star Mop guy how much they were. He answered and I prepared to keep walking. But he kept talking. And before I knew it, I had a microfiber mop in my hand and was scrubbing away at crayon marks on a tile floor. Crayon! And it came off with ease. I was being reeled in.

I’m a pretty savvy person. Frugal. Cynical. Not one to be suckered into buying something I didn’t need.

But this was different. I NEEDED this mop. Actually, it was a SYSTEM. Not just a run-of-the-mill mop. A SYSTEM. You could use it as a dry mop for dust, dirt, tiny crumbs. Or you could spritz it with just a little bit of water and remove scuff marks, dried food, spills. Did I mention crayon?

Then you just rinse it in the sink or toss it in the washer. It will save me hundreds of dollars in cleaning supplies.

I did walk away. Reluctantly. But in my heart of hearts, I knew I would be back. Our booth was across the aisle and a few feet away.  And I hadn’t purchased anything for Josh and Anna yet. This was going to make their lives so much easier.

I raved to my co-workers about the benefits of The System. They were interested.

So one of them approached the guy and asked what he could do for fellow vendors who were interested in purchasing three Systems. We negotiated. He threw in a mitt each, as well as a microfiber cloth. Sold.

As he was swiping my credit card, he whispered conspiratorially to me, begging me not to tell anyone else about the great deal he gave us. I know, I know. He was making sure we didn’t have buyer’s remorse, and that we walked away thinking we had really cleaned up. Get it? Cleaned up?

Anyway, I’m not one of those folks with the QVC number on speed dial, and I always wave away the people in the mall wanting to spray me with perfume or sell me a copycat version of Ray-Ban Wayfarers.

But I really think I’m going to like The System. Anna has already tried it out on the kitchen floor. She said it was easier to use than the Swiffer. I enjoy seeing my children smile. And you just can’t put a price on that.