Ahhh…county fairs. A slice of Americana that just drives me insane.
My dad called me the other day and wanted to take the kids, so I agreed…to make him happy. My friend called me on the way there, and when I told her where I was going, she said “You? At a fair?” and proceeded to laugh hysterically.
I know some people love fairs for various reasons. I shudder because I think about the horribly unhealthy foods, the germs and dirt (our feet were black by the time we left!), the poor animals going to slaughter…(insert frowny/pouty face here!)… and the waste, waste, WASTE!
I almost walked in with more optimism than ever because there was a sign posted at the entry that said: “The Fair has gone green!” Whoa! Quite cool.
Little did I know that the sign meant there would be about four very small can & bottle recycling bins around the entire fairgrounds. There were, however, HUGE trash cans about every 25 feet. Not exactly what I would call green, would you?
Green, to me, would mean tons more recycling containers and vendors that were required to take a little more care in the serving items they 
choose…can anyone say NO STRYROFOAM?!?!? It’s so discouraging. I also saw people grabbing stacks of napkins, tossing recycling in the trash, dropping trash on the ground and just being all-around wasteful.
I’m getting to the point where I want to stop going to places like this that don’t seem to care at all…even though they claimed that they’ve gone green! This is much to my kids’ dismay, because if that actually happened, I think I would be boycotting a whoooole lot of places they love. (I have already put an eternal ban on circuses… HATE THEM! Not for ‘green reasons’, but I just can’t stand the thought of animals being carted around the country in small trailers, and they are either penned up, practicing or performing. I adore elephants and wonder how anyone could ever be surprised when one occasionally flips out and goes on a rampage…hmmm…maybe it doesn’t like its JOB!)
Anyhow, it just reminded me that we have so far to go. Baby steps are okay, but for pete’s sake…if you say you’re going green…then GO GREEN! Don’t make big claims, make signs announcing it and then do the bare minimum, like they did at the fair. Please.
My daughter looked at an overflowing trash can and said “Mommy, why would someone do that?” I have no idea, honey…I have NO idea.
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Frankly, I’m sick of the “greenwashing”. I used to go to our town fair every year, but you’re absolutely right. There are plenty of simple things they can do during planning to make the fairs more carbon neutral (or closer at least).
Contain all food vendors to one area, with PLENTY of recycling bins (and signs reminding people to USE them). Ask vendors to think about their packaging before arriving.
Charge enough for parking to make people think twice about driving their large trucks and suvs onto the grass instead of walking/cycling to the fair.
It just takes some planning and care…
Robert Rowes last blog post..Why Tweetup? (post-meetup post)
Because they’re stupid. And because they’re lazy. The last time I went to a county fair was with you. And it was at least 20 years ago. And I remember that we almost got our asses beat by people who had 5 teeth among them.
Kevin Charnass last blog post.."I Kevin, Take You Will, To Be Seven Letters…"
Robert – yes, planning, care and EFFORT! Just a show of effort would be great, but a few little recycle bins… really?
Kev – ahhh, memories of the Trumbull County Fair!
Keep in mind that we resembled Bananarama and Wham! at the time, so we are lucky we DIDN’T get beat by the country kids…and their 5 teeth!!!
I know how frustrated you get. We see the same here in our area – zoos that proclaim to be earth friendly, etc. It is the “in thing” to do – proclaim to be environmentally friendly but few back up their claims.
Don’t get discouraged though – just keep doing what you do and hopefully the tide will soon turn. I always take a backpack with me to take home any aluminum cans or plastic containers that I can recycle. It may seem extreme but at least I know I am doing my part despite everyone else’s laziness.
Oh and if I haven’t told you lately, I love your blog!
Kimberlys last blog post..Well chuffed!
I’ve just stumbled on your blog, which I love. Not sure where you live but you should come to the Oregon Country Fair if you can! 2nd weekend in July every year. There are tons of recycling bins all over, plus silverware is provided at the fair and you just put them in bins located with all the recycling bins when you are finished. Bringing your own water bottle is encouraged, and there are locations where you can refill them for free.
Lees last blog post..Amazing Jake
Kimberly – Yes! It’s soooo frustrating when certain words get thrown around so frequently – claiming to be eco-, green or environmental. And I am the same as you… I bring all of my recycling home if receptacles aren’t available…I can’t imagine doing it any other way! And I am SO glad you enjoy my blog. Sincerely…it’s why I do what I do!
Lee – SO glad you love my blog too! I’m glad you found me! And I would love to support a Fair that IS truly environmental, but being in Cleveland(!) it would be quite a haul.
I am so impressed though. Using actual silverware…That’s fantastic!
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