Circus Maximus and other fair lore

Prompted mostly by Lucy's begging and also by our own sadness that this would be our last Mississippi State Fair, we hit the midway again last night. This time, it was the free circus we were in pursuit of...Circus Maximus, to be precise. The free circus has come a long way since our first introduction to it some 7, maybe 8, years ago when we first attended with Mike and Sarah, sitting around an outdoor ring at the fair as the Amazing Justino wowed us with his circus prowess (not sure exactly what he did...it all sort of runs together for me), little poodles pranced around in ridiculous costumes, with a cannon sitting at the ready (alas, no ammo showed, but we had hoped...). But the dry wit of the circus conductor along with the backyard-honed talent of the travelling circus was quite a combo. We have laughed about it for years.

Fast forward to 2007 and Circus Maximus. Under a big tent this time, the crowd multiplied greatly, vendors hawking outrageously priced Coke and lightup gizmos for kids, and a suspicious- looking clown as circus conductor. Same "amazing" stunts and tricks (sans cannon). Lucy was transfixed, of course. She wants to be the "lovely Carmen" who twists around mid-air with a hoop suspended from the ceiling and dazzles us all with her ability to contort herself.

We stayed as long as Lucy's attention lasted, then wandered off in search of the anti-gravity deal for Lucy...see picture below. Michael rode a ride with Lucy, managed not to vomit, and Annie ate a corndog and a funnel cake. We ended the night with a family ride on the ferris wheel. Erin taught Lucy that at the top of the ferris wheel, you kiss someone you love, so I got lots of kisses. And Annie sat in Michael's lap with eyes big as saucers, as still as she could be, just taking it all in.


Lucy bouncing around at the end of big rubberbands..."like an astronaut!"

Michael & the girls on the ferris wheel.

Me & Lulu in line to ride the Crazy Mouse roller coaster.
She is my partner in thrill-seeking. She doesn't
flinch even when I'm a little scared (like when I am at the top
of the ferris wheel with both of my precious children and realize
that this thing folds up into a semi truck...).

Annie lovin' her some corndog. Makes my stomach churn, but whatever...it's the fair.

Lulu & E on the ferris wheel.