Seven things kids love at Prater’s Mill Country Fair

Published 11:46 pm Friday, October 9, 2009

I have been to the Prater’s Mill Country Fair a whole bunch. In fact, I think I have been every year since I was born. And that is a lot since I am 9 years old.

Every time I go to the fair, I love it. I always have a lot of fun skipping stones under the bridge, walking on the hiking trail, feeding the ducks, canoeing and fishing. But, every time I find something new to do, too.

I like to sit and listen to the story tellers, especially while I’m eating homemade ice cream. Sometimes they tell really funny stories, but sometimes they tell stories that are a little spooky. I don’t get scared, but some of the other kids do. I know how they feel, though, because one year when the Civil War re-enactors were there, I thought they were real. But, I was real little when that happened, maybe 5 or 6 years old. (Like I said, I’ve been going to fair for a long time.) Watching them is kind of like being at the movies, but it’s actually going on around you, not just on the screen with someone’s head in the way.

There are artists everywhere. My mom likes for them to do a portrait of me. It’s funny how each one looks different from the year before. My grandfather says the same thing about his pictures. I don’t know why. He always looks the same to me.

The one thing I don’t like about the fair is that my mother always tries to feed me turnips. I try to explain to her that I am allergic to them, but she doesn’t believe me. I am NOT allergic to the fried chicken, lemonade, fried apple pies or biscuits. In fact, I am not allergic to most things, except turnips.

Someone asked me to say what kids love most about the Fair, and that is a tough question to answer. There is so much to do and see, but if I could only do seven things at the fair I would:

1. Visit the Whittling Man

2. Eat funnel cakes

3. Pet all the animals who are waiting to be adopted at the barn

4. Hike the nature trail

5. Watch the mill grind corn

6. Shell corn with the shelling machine

7. Make sand art with the Sandman

But it’s really hard to pick just a few things to do, since there are hundreds of ways to have fun at the Prater’s Mill Country Fair. I guess I’m lucky I don’t have to choose just seven. I can’t wait to go this weekend and do everything … except try the turnips. I’m still allergic.



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The Prater’s Mill Country Fair is today from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Prater’s Mill is at 5845 Highway 2 in Varnell.

Admission is $5. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Parking is free. For a schedule of events, go to www.pratersmill.org.