The State Fair, we like to say, is a fair to remember. Poets and versifiers from around the area gave us dozens of ways to remember the fair in response to our invitation.
Some rhymed, some didn't. Some fit the 50-word limit, some didn't. Most created mental images, and one created a picture on the page.
Not all of our five categories had entries, so we created a new one so we could still have five blue-ribbon winners.
We're also including two other verses we liked, even if they didn't get the blue.
Enjoy!
Category: The fair is summer
Blue ribbon: Megan Lent, 15, Folsom
state fair
rooster greets the day –
It begins.
smell of sheared sheep
of long-eared rabbits
cuts through the
oil, frying up the
midway.
music wafts through trees.
hay crackles.
someone's ice cream spills.
a balloon escapes –
Someone laughs.
Someone cries.
Nighttime,
rides light up –
fireworks.
We are all young
It's never-ending summer.
Category: Fair animals
Blue ribbon: Jereth Slack, West Sacramento
ANIMAL FRIENDS
I love the cows I love the pigs
I don't see how anyone could eat these.
They live and breathe just like us. How can
they stand it in the heat? Walk into the barn
and the smell is so strong from all their
poop and pee but I plug my nose
and continue through
just because
I LOVE
THEM
SO!
Category: Fair rides
Blue ribbon: Sarah Cuevas, Citrus Heights
Rides of the State Fair
Colors whirl in dizzying abundance,
Lights that flash in rhythmic tones of
Yellow,
Red,
And orange.
Jolly music that reverts you back
To younger years.
Machines created for your fun
Rides that flip you,
Turn you,
Spin you,
Make you feel like you can fly,
And even touch the endless sky.
Category: Fair food
Blue ribbon: Nancy J. Wiklund, Sacramento
Fair Food
The food may be unhealthy
however, that is why I come.
To eat cotton candy, dogs on a stick,
gee, I hope I don't get sick …
Category: Miscellaneous
Blue ribbon: Lee Snelson, Chico
Come on over
All you lovers of
Livestock and
Interesting fun and
Flowers!
Stay and play
Till you laugh so you
Ache with wonder and
Tiredness and
Elation!
Foods galore
And drinks
Into a cup are a
Respite 'til you holler MORE!
Honorable mentions
Fair poem (If I do say so myself)
Cindy Burch, Lincoln
Usually hotter than blazes
Cotton candy stuck in braces
Horses and dachshunds have races
Toddlers tripping on shoelaces
Stokes your consciousness erases
Acrobats bend in weird places
Foot rubs and misters oasis
Goldfish are swimming in vases
Midway stuffed animal crazes
The fair just always amazes.
Memorial
Stacie Evans, Sacramento
Blue sky backdrop, temperate day,
Iron stubble on display.
Bent and burned, tightly turned.
Right below like a gallery show,
Iron paintings in a row.
Burgundy, brown, ocher, and black,
Spotted and patterned, scratched from attack.
Welded to railcars from New York to Sac.,
Painterly script, never to go back.
