:mattLandia:

Sometimes, I'm so convinced that there's nothing new and exciting to do in Gwinnet County that I almost miss the few new and exciting things to do. Thank goodness Katherine and Michael called to ask us to meet them at the County Fair going just 6.4 miles down the road from us. Umm, lets see... 75 degrees, a light breeze, Friday night.... we grabbed my camera, some Lactaid pills, a wad of cash and bolted out the door.

As far as County Fairs go, this one wasn't too bad. Not as huge as some, but big enough to have the World's Smallest Woman, an armful of make-you-go-puke rides, and a 4H show for highschoolers. Since I've been wrapped up with work nearly all the time these days, I was super happy to have a chance to unholster the Canon and start snapping away. Blinking neon lights in the dark, red necks, and bad hair are all the ingredients for a fun photog outing. I think I took 180 shots, but narrowed them down to 25 shots to share on Flickr. Take a gander. Let me know which ones you like (or dislike).

Even more satisfying than the feast of imagery, was the barrage of fleeting conversation snippets I heard while walking through the crowds. I wish I'd had a mic and recorder. There would have been as much to share as with photos. Redneck women word-smacking their cotton candied mouth kids around, Latinos convincing their latinitos to take a peek at the 300 lb snake, trouble maker teenagers trash talking each other, a blue collar father tongue lashing his daughter for doing what he obviously thought was no good ... I was in audio heaven!

And as if that wasn't enough. French Fries with vinegar. Roasted Corn. Sugar lemonade. Funnel Cake. Airbrushed tee shirts. Was the county fair worth the $5 admission. You're darned tootin'.