The boys had just finished their first week back at school, and we had also had Thursday night in Denver, at a members night for the Science & Nature Museum, so they were pretty tired. They would have been happy to laze around all Saturday, and when we told them that we were going down to see the parade in Castle Rock at 9am, we were told, 'parades are boring', 'that's not fair', and 'I don't want to go'. Luckily, when we got there, one of the first people we saw was Turner and his mum and dad, Anne and Brian, who bought Luke and Mindy's old house, when they moved to Chicago. So it was a bit better, now that they had a friend.
The Fair had began earlier, but this was the official parade. The streets were blocked off, and it went for well over an hour. There were floats from the local schools with marching bands, cheerleaders and football teams:
Local businesses
Farm machinery and animals
Community groups, churches and local associations
And there are obviously local elections shortly, as there were lots of people vying for the position of sheriff.
There was even a snow plough!
We had a great morning, watching the parade go by. Everyone had something to hand out from water, to drink bottles, lots of candy, and the local tax business 'Liberty Tax', gave out their own version of a visor (see below!)
There were also business along the way giving out free water and icy poles (or popsicles), as it was a really hot day. There was a huge crowd, and streets were closed for the morning, so it was quite an event in downtown Castle Rock! We walked back to where we had parked the car, the boys had bags full of loot (that is, candy!) and declared it the 'best parade ever!'
Sunday was the last day of the fair, and we decided to go along and have a look. We checked out the animals to start with - there was a bull, a Shetland pony and a goat at this little shelter.
And there was much excitement, as we had made it in time for the pie eating competition! The boys were really keen to enter, and wanted to know what flavour the pie was going to be. It was a chocolate pie, and they didn't get to eat the whole pie (much to their disappointment!) but it was the person who could eat a slice of pie, the quickest, without using their hands. Apparently the pies were still frozen when we got there, so there was a bit of waiting around, while the pies defrosted in the sun. Phil was talked into going into the adult competition. Luke, Ryan and Quinn all had a great, messy time eating their pie, and Luke came second.
Then it was time for the adult competition. They all got their garbage bags to wear, so they wouldn't mess up their clothes. Phil had some pretty fierce competition, but got a third place ribbon.
We always knew we had a good family of eaters, but not sure if I should be proud, or not?! They were pretty pleased to have won ribbons from the fair, anyway, and at entering their first pie eating competition. It reminded us of when we were travelling at summer break, and we saw a really big guy at the 9/11 Memorial. On the back of his coat, he had listed all the 'eating' competitions that he had won. I don't know that we will aspire to anything like that!
Next we went over to the pavilion where they had working horses and buggies, and were simulating 'farm' scenes, where they had to manouvere the horse and buggy through a course. They had to back into an area, like a shed, go over what was meant to be a bridge, and through gates. It was fun to watch for a while, and then we walked out the back and saw the horse floats. Like everything in America, it seems, they are bigger and better. Took these photos for Rod and Sharyn, to show them a really big float, and the truck they use to pull it!
Walking through the stables, and looking at the horses, we met the Showgirl Princess, and she was happy to pose for a photo for us. She was only about 14, and decked out in chaps, cowgirl hat and boots - all the gear. Bit different to home, I think. There was also a Showgirl Queen, and these girls could ride!
Then the 'Tough Enough to wear Pink' rodeo started, and we all really enjoyed it. The stadium was packed, and the boys really surprised me by being quite into it, and they were fascinated with all the different events. We saw bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie down roping, muttin bustin' (which was little kids riding sheep) and bull riding. As the bull riding was last, we waited all day - but it was a bit disappointing, as they don't ride for very long. We decided we liked the bucking horses best.
They were so please with themselves at the end of it. Ryan told me that he was thinking of getting off before it took off, but when they had finished, they both thought that it was 'awesome', and they are just getting ready for when we go to Disneyland! Quinn went on a little ride with Phil, and everyone was happy.
There were some people we had walked by earlier, and they were part of a 'Dutch Oven Cookoff'. It is basically camp cooking, but they had to do a starter, a main, dessert and a bread. They cooked all day on Sunday, were judged, and then everyone was encouraged to come by, and sample their food. There were some amazing dishes - a lot different to the food we eat when we go camping! They had roasts, chicken pot pie, chocolate cake, crumbles, it was all really good. So we left tired, dusty and with full tummies. It was a fun day at the fair!
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