This morning at our editorial meeting, my colleague Naomi Tomky told us about her family’s trip to the fair over the weekend. They had a great time. But an expensive one. Which reminded me of this story originally published in 2023. Even these prices from two years ago now feel like a thing of the distant past. (Parking, for example, is now $22 on weekends.)
A few years back, somebody asked me if I was a “fair person.” At first, I didn’t really know what the question meant. Fair in what sense? Then I realized they weren’t talking about fairness as a concept, but the fair as a place. Maybe that initial hesitation was my answer. I didn’t grow up going to the fair. But then I thought about it for a second. I do know some fair people. In fact, I am married to one. Does that mean I’ve become one too?
After all, the good stuff about the Puyallup—ahem—Washington State Fair, is so good. This is especially true on a weekday when you can park your car stress free and wander among the animals and hot tubs and carnival games at will; it’s especially true in twilight when it feels like you’ve gone back in time and the lights from the rides start turning on and the weather cools down and the smells all somehow change at once…