Since it’s Labor Day Weekend, the Upper South Carolina Fair must be in town. I decided to wait until Sunday evening to make a visit so I could get pictures of the lights and possibly some long exposure shots.
As I drove over to the fairgrounds it started dumping rain. This did not bode well, but I drove out of it and the skies started clearing a bit. However, just as I got parked the rain caught up with me again. Huddling under my umbrella, I bought my ticket and headed for the exhibits. It looks like others had the same idea, as crowds gathered under the little shed.
One part of the exhibit has flea market-like vendors, and the other half has the same display of antique autos and farm equipment that we saw when we were here two years ago. There was a slot car track set up, and for $2 for twenty laps you could race your favorite NASCAR car around the track. It amazed me how much people were getting into this, and getting upset when things didn’t go right.
The rain abated and I wandered out onto the midway. The first thing one encounters are the food vendors. It was tempting, but I’d just had dinner at home.
The midway seemed a bit dark. I took a few photos and wandered around the rides listening to the carnies hawk their games and rides. One ride looked particularly insane . There was one armature, but it swung back and forth while spinning its riders upside down. Vomit inducing comes to mind.
I also paused to catch some of the other lights from the rides.
I heard music and went to see what was going on. A trio was performing on a small stage, doing bad covers of Mother’s Finest. Looking back at the livestock area, however, I saw LOTS of crowds gathered and walked that way. The rodeo was in full swing, and it was the finals of the bull-riding event. The crowds prevented me from getting a decent shot, and quite frankly the riders didn’t stay on the bulls long enough for me to even focus the camera.
The sideshows were on the way back. There was a petting zoo, you could feed elephants, see a giant albino python, and watch tiger tamers.
Not too many people wander around a fair with a DSLR, external flash, and monopod. I guess folks thought that I was with a newspaper or something, because they kept asking me to take their pictures. I saw lots of interesting characters, but unfortunately, none of them were the ones that asked.
It was an interesting evening out. The rain started back up, and I decided it was time to go. I still want to catch a little county fair and possibly the state fair. I’ll have to see if I can keep my schedule clear for those dates.
Really engaging photos, particularly of the rides. That Ferris Wheel shot keeps drawing my eye. That’d make a nice wall poster or large image IMO.
Great images, as always, Tom.
Tom,
What! You went to the Upstate fair without backup – have you lost our senses? Great pics though.
Steve – you needed to come along, too! I think Laura would have freaked out with my stopping to take pictures of everything.
The SC State Fair is October 8 – 19 in Columbia. We need to meet there and catch some shots!