What I Learned From the SC Drive Through State Fair

There is no argument that 2020 has been, above all things, just weird. Virtual everything, from school to VBS to camps to church. New phrases like “social distancing” “unprecedented”, and new accessories like masks and face shields.

 

When I heard that the SC State Fair would be a “drive through” this year, I confess that I scoffed at the whole idea. Nice try, right? I’m sure everyone wants to sit in a long car line just to buy overpriced French Fries. 

 

So when my husband reminded me that Wednesday was the last day to see attractions, and for us to plan to get up early enough to beat the lines, I again scoffed at the whole idea. I had heard of people sitting in line for over an hour on Tuesday. Surely we had better things to do with our time today. 

 

My husband is ever the optimist and a great one for tradition. Besides, he reminded me, this is unprecedented, very likely (hopefully) the only time we will ever have a drive-through fair. How can we miss it when we have the opportunity? Our kids are homeschooled, not virtual schooled, so we have the flexibility – why not?

 

So we did. We got there right at 10 a.m. and to our delight, the line at the gate by the Rocket was minimal. A cheerful Fair employee in a cow face mask greeted us and offered us some printed maps showing what we would encounter on our ten-minute drive around the fairgrounds – examples of art and agriculture, various sponsors from the field of health, modern and antique fire trucks, livestock and flowers, even blacksmiths working in a “heritage village” exhibit, as well as a few displays reminding us of what was coming in the 2021 State Fair. For each exhibit, we could read about the history. 

 

When we were done, we drove around the fairground to Gate 6, and got in line for the food. Again, we had no significant wait and were ushered into one of many identical drive-through lines where we were could get a variety of traditional fair food – French fries, turkey legs, corn dogs, sausage, and our personal favorites, funnel cake and cotton candy.

 

Funnel cake and cotton candy in hand, we decided to drive through the fair again. And then one more time, just for good measure. My kids wanted to make sure they could see some of the fun artwork, and driving made it hard to catch everything the first time.

 

On our way home, I gave my husband a sheepish smile and thanked him for getting us to go to the fair this year. It was fun, after all, and actually taught me some important lessons.

 

I learned that sometimes you just need to take a chance on something. I called it lame without giving it a chance, partly from frustration with a year that has left so many disappointed about so much. I’m glad I didn’t let my low expectations keep me from enjoying a fun family outing.

 

I learned that my kids have missed out on more than I sometimes realize. Kids are resilient, after all, and mine are traditional homeschoolers, so the pandemic closings have not impacted our family the way they have others, but seeing my kids light up at the idea of a family outing and at the idea of super fried foods and seeing the fair exhibits reminded me that we need more of this, more fun and relaxing times. This year has been stressful for everyone, kids included.

 

I learned how much the State Fair benefits our state. I was cynical about the State Fair wanting to recoup its losses, like so many businesses this year, but as we waited in line for Fair Food, we read signs letting us know about the significant role agriculture plays in our state, and how much agriculture contributes to those yummy fair foods – soybeans for oil, apples for candy apples, how many jobs are impacted by agriculture. The State Fair is not just about having a crazy fun time, but about celebrating a significant part of our state economy.

 

I learned that Fair Food tastes amazing even in 2020. That funnel cake was delicious, all seven dollars of it. And my kids said that Fair cotton candy is better than anyplace else.

 

I learned to give grace – that everyone is trying to make the best of a bad situation. The year 2020 has been like no other, and we are all trying to save as much of normal life as we can. Whether it is the State Fair or holiday traditions or virtual music lessons or trying to figure out how to do education safely, even if our efforts fall short of what we want, we are all trying to to make the most of an unprecedented year. I’m thankful for the Drive Through SC State Fair helping me take another look at myself, our wonderful state, and the year we will never, ever forget.

 

The State Fair exhibits ended Wednesday at 8:00 p.m., but the fair food is available through Saturday, October 24.