If happiness had a smell, I swear it would be fried dough and powdered sugar drifting through the air at the Lee County Fair. The second I walked through those gates, my brain went straight to, “where’s the funnel cake stand?” Forget the rides, forget the animals, I was on a mission. And yes, I ended up with sugar all over my shirt before the night was halfway done. Worth it.
The ride chaos begins
You know what’s wild? Watching kids drag their parents through the midway like tiny drill sergeants. “Come on, Mom, come on, Dad!” Meanwhile, I’m the one holding everyone up because I spotted a deep-fried Oreo booth and couldn’t walk past. Priorities. When we finally made it to the rides, I thought I’d be brave and hop on the Tilt-a-Whirl. Big mistake. About thirty seconds in, my phone almost flew out of my pocket, and I had that slow-motion panic moment of “well, there goes all my photos forever.” Somehow I caught it, but my hair looked like I’d wrestled a leaf blower by the time I stumbled off.
Fair food forever
The thing about fairs is you promise yourself you won’t overdo it, then suddenly you’re juggling corn dogs, lemonade, and a turkey leg the size of your arm. I told myself I’d just have a bite of everything, but let’s be real—I ate all of it. Somewhere between the petting zoo and the Ferris wheel, I was convinced that fried pickles might actually be a health food. Don’t argue with me on this, I was in a state of bliss.
By the time the Ferris wheel lights flickered on and the sky went purple, I felt that fair magic kick in. My kids were sticky with cotton candy, my feet were tired, and my heart was ridiculously full. That’s the thing about nights like this—you leave with an empty wallet, a sugar high, and memories that cling tighter than the smell of funnel cake in your hair.
