fried dough | River's world…..

I’m pleased to report the giant lemon lemonade stand was operational at the Fryeburg Fair …

And though it cost a ridiculous $8 per ice laden glass, I purchased one…

To accompany the husband’s three $10 chicken fingers and $5 bottle of water. $23 for what amounted to a nibble. Welcome to the price gouging, we know you have no alternative, fair food concession stands.

Trying to make up for it, I made a beeline for my favorite fair treat…

Which sadly was an undercooked, under spiced disappointing piece of fried dough. Boo to that.

I ate said disappointing dough in the grandstand of the pulling ring where the husband likes to watch the draft horses. I don’t enjoy this spectacle as I always feel sorry for the animals. The teams of three are expected to pull double their weight which can end up being 10,000 lbs, and while I know they’re bred and trained for this exact purpose… it still makes me cringe on their behalf.

I did however smile at this happy fellow who started the show in true Fenway Park 7th inning stretch fashion.

If you’re not a Red Sox fan?

Never mind.

This team was amazing. Perfectly matched and working completely in unison.

I may not like it…

But it’s hard not to be impressed with the strength of these magnificent creatures.

Maine has a lot of agricultural fairs every autumn and over the years we’ve visited quite a few. Farmington was one we’d never hit so last week we drove west.

This county’s fair is relatively small and focuses heavily on community involvement. Prize winning pumpkins and homemade jams were in the forefront.

As were school children’s projects.

You have to admit this one made a valid point.

There was an entire upper floor devoted to quilt, knitting, photography and art contests. There was also a large sign stating fair volunteers did not judge or pick the winners. I though that was odd until I saw some of the winners…

I wouldn’t want to be blamed for that either.

As we stepped out of the expo building, food.

I was disappointed not to order a fresh lemonade from the giant lemon concession stand, but alas it was closed.

I did score my favorite go to the fair treat though.

Fried dough with cinnamon and powdered sugar. You only eat these things at the fair and you really can’t explain why… but damn. It was good.

Inexplicably there were multiple fried pickle stands, all boasting to be the biggest and most famous. Bypassing those we wandered around until we found something that wasn’t battered and deep fried and settled on a picnic table with our wraps to enjoy the show.