Ever since my bout with benign vertigo forced me to cancel my trip to eat my way through and photograph the Bloomsburg PA Mac & Cheese Festival I’ve been itching to go there. So for several months I had the annual the Bloomsburg Fair on my calendar, but as things got closer to my planned travel date we got caught up in a couple of ugly weather systems that threatened to scrub yet another road trip. Even though Bloomsburg is one hundred thirty miles from where I live, the town experienced the same non-stop rain. Then work got in the way for the couple of days that were somewhat dry. Saturday was my last chance and also the last day of the fair! I shook off some mild reactions to the covid and flu shots I got the day before and left at nine.
After a two plus hour drive, I was rewarded with a ten minute traffic jam just to get into the enormous field that served as a parking lot. When I finally found a parking place it seemed I was in another state, but after a long walk I purchased my ticket at the admission gate and strolled into the fairground. The Bloomsburg Fair is said to be the largest in the state and it sure looked that way! Not only was it packed with cars and people, but there was more! I’ve seen and had my share of kitsch and junk food, but I’ve never experienced so much of it all together in one location!! I mean it was unreal and as far as the food goes there should have been a sign at the entrance gate stating that consuming this stuff, even in small quantities posed a major health risk!
I know, it was probably all pretty lip-smacking good, even the nasty looking stuff. Unbelievably though, I didn’t even purchase a tacky tee shirt or sample any of the fries, various deep fried meats (I’m a vegetarian after all), bake goods, ice cream, waffle cakes, cotton candy, fudge and so on.
I did manage to run through a role of 120 Tri-X before declaring no mas. The people were interesting and I think I might have gotten a keeper or two. And speaking of interesting people, next week follows up with one of my favorite events of the year, the annual Asbury Park Zombie Walk. Once that’s done I’ll develop all of the negatives and make proof sheets.
Life is good … the journey continues!
Stay well,
Michael