By Cindy Johnson

cindy.lexchron@gmail.com

The State Fair was a place of good memories for me as a child.

This year it began with a bang.

On Rosewood Drive, an anxious fair goer bumped my car as I waited at a red light.

Fortunately she did no damage to me or my car.

This year I knew the SC State Fair was a drive through but thought I'd see pigs, cows, a ferris wheel and shows. There was none of that this year.

With no fair music either I realized how vital it had been.

I can’t believe that I missed the muddy, straw-covered ground but I did.

The drive-through waiting time was about 25 minutes.

The food line was marked well and at a kiosk I closed my eyes.

The smells were the same as years before but nothing else was as it had been.

As I waited, I thought about a hot dog with chili, mustard and ketchup but the only thing close on the menu was a corn dog.

By the time I decided I wanted some french fries , I was past that area.

I saw sausages with peppers and onions, elephant ears, funnel cakes and turkey legs.

The turkey legs looked like caveman clubs but a good buy due to their size.

Before I knew it, I was at the end of the line and was overwhelmed with the choices, smells and attendants running to pick up orders and deliver.

The fair workers had been pleasant and pushing traffic through as quickly as possible.

The runners had a tough job, but seemed to get people what they ordered.

I appreciate their effort.

Since I missed my chance, if I wanted something to eat I would have to go around again.

No thanks.

Next year I hope we can get back to the State Fair's good old days.