Fairs, fairs, fairs

Fair entrance

Oregon State Fair

Mrs. Batey came down to visit this last weekend. On Saturday we went to the Oregon State Fair.

Prize-winning orchids

There are always plenty of sights to see at the Fair.  We spent a good while admiring photos, arts, and crafts.  And we took a stroll through the animal pavilions to see the various livestock.  Mom likes to go see the big horses:  the Clydesdales, Belgians, and Shires.  This year, there were no Percherons.

Believe it or not, this is a cake.

Oregon has a wealth of talented bakers, artists, and crafts-people as we saw from the exhibits for cakes, and photographs, and quilts. 

Piglets with momma

This year, Maty had to work and couldn't join us, which broke a 6 year tradition.  The State Fair was one of our first dates.  But Mom and I had a good time, nonetheless.

Colorful Hawthorne folk

Hawthorne Street Fair

Then, on Sunday, the Hawthorne Street Fair was on, so Mom got a good taste of my quirky neighborhood. 

Unicycling bagpiper

The freaky Hawthorne folk did not disappoint on Sunday.  They were out in all their freak regalia.

Peruvian chess set

Mom seemed to have a good time in the morning, talking to the merchants and meeting my neighbors.

Mom and Maty clowin' around

Maty got home in the middle afternoon and the three of us took another spin through.

Heading for home

I found it serendipitous that the Hawthorne Street Fair coincided with Mom's visit. She got to see the neighborhood at its best. An excellent late-summer episode.