100 Things to see at the Fair part 4

I had a unique opportunity at the 2008 Tennessee State Fair in Nashville, TN. There's so much going on all the time that you can't see everything in just one day. I was able to go multiple days with a pass to get into all of the events. It was difficult to narrow everything down to just 100 pictures. I have divided the photos into groups of 20 so that one blog post isn't too long. Like usual, click on any picture to enlarge.

100 Things to see at the fair #61: Pumpkins



To win the pumpkin contest, you have to be able to grow one well in excess of 1000 pounds. The watermelons also have to be sizable.

100 Things to see at the fair #62: Deep Fried Goo-Goos



Deep Fried Goo-Goo Clusters are the official candy of the TN State Fair. Other vendors offered deep fried Snickers and Milky Ways. I think this poster is Groovy and surreal in a 70's kind of way.

100 Things to see at the fair #63: Ventriloquist



The baby was the first of three ventriloquism dolls used by the Funny Dummy show.

100 Things to see at the fair #64: Ride in a monster truck



Before and after the Monster Truck show, fair patrons had the opportunity to ride in the flatbed (and held down by a safety bar) of Carolina Crusher, a monster truck retired from competition. Cost was $10.

100 Things to see at the fair #65: Deer



100 Things to see at the fair #66: Show cows



This class of cows was one of the more populated divisions. After parading around the show arena, they were all lined up

100 Things to see at the fair #67: Copper art



In the same corner of the creative arts building that had the leathercraft, also had art etched from copper, such as The Last Supper seen as the winner here.

100 Things to see at the fair #68: Powersurge at Night



I like how the white lights that are on the bottom of the chairs tear across the picture as if they were claws.

100 Things to see at the fair #69: National Diving Dogs



The National Diving Dogs is a traveling show sponsored by Purina and Oust. The "winner" dog is the one that can jump in the pool the farthest. In most cases the dog's owner tosses one of the dog's toys in the air, times with a running leap, the dog tries to get the toy midair. Those on the front row will get wet. Best I can recall, the winning dog from this show went 28 feet!

100 Things to see at the fair #70: Alpacas



While Alpacas tend to be some of the goofiest looking animals, the one on the right certain has one of the sweetest faces on an alpaca that I've seen. Part of the petting zoo.

100 Things to see at the fair #71: baby goats



While many of this goats siblings were resting or playing, this one wanted to pose for the camera

100 Things to see at the fair #72: Weightlifting contest



This is the contest I probably would have won if I didn't spend my time picture taking. Ha.

100 Things to see at the fair #73: jump rope team



The Hot Shots Jump Rope team did some pretty impressive things. Many of those things just don't look interesting as a photograph, so here's a pic of them all jumping at the same time

100 Things to see at the fair #74: Horse takes a bow



All the Kings Horses is a show of several horses, each trained to perform different tricks.

100 Things to see at the fair #75: Shearing sheep



There's not much to it. You just have to make sure the sheep won't get away. Many put them on platforms so it's easier to reach all over. Then get out the shears. Later, the guy's wife will spin the wool.

100 Things to see at the fair #76: Racing pot-bellied pigs



The final race of Randall's Racing is two adult Vietnamese Pot-bellied pigs. It's a slow race.

100 Things to see at the fair #77: Brandi Thornton Band



She and her band performed on the Purity stage one evening.

100 Things to see at the fair #78: Scarecrows



These decorative scarecrows and jack-o-lanterns were in an annex building between the Creative Arts building and Exhibitors building. These were for sale, along with fall plants such as mums.

100 Things to see at the fair #79: Fairest of the Fair



The beauty pageant lasted several hours as there was many age classes starting with the toddlers and all the way up to 18. This age class was the 13-15 year-olds, I believe. After each contestant was onstage alone, they all came onstage together at the end.

100 Things to see at the fair #80: rides for all ages



So you don't think you can take the PowerSurge? There are other rides that you can handle, such as the Wave Swinger, which is good for children and those who wish to relive their childhood.

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