Expensive and greasy, but good entertainment. They’d really promoted the food in the weeks leading up to the fair, and it was certainly different. The unifying theme was fat. Everything that could be fried, had been fried. (E.g. fried peaches.) Everything that could have bacon in it, had bacon in it: chocolate covered bacon, bacon wrapped… well just about everything. Ian and I shared kebabs of cheese-filled, bacon wrapped portabella mushrooms. Nearly as tasty as they were costly. Rodrigo had chocolate-dipped chocolate chip cookie dough. At least we got plenty of exercise; the fairgrounds are big, and free parking off of Reno meant walking a long way, and having to stop at a train crossing:
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| Notice the midway in background |
We had agreed to watch Xtreme Bulls today rather than do the rides, but the selection was pretty impressive, so next year we’ll buy armbands in advance. We can go to a cheaper, and more varied, rodeo in the Stockyards. Don’t get me wrong; bull riding is always fun to watch, and tonight’s bulls and riders were world-class. The problem with world class bulls is that they are almost impossible to stay on for eight seconds, and they know the game: buck the cowboy off, stop, turn, run out of the ring. Only a few decided to go for the clown seriously (one little guy did play for a bit), and only one made a serious break for freedom at the other end of the ring. Less experienced bulls make for lower scores but greater audience entertainment.
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| My cell phone was useless for pictures, but you can see the set up of the chutes in the arena. Most riders did not make it that far out from the chute. |
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| I liked the feathers on that near team, but they were second-to-last. |
Walking through the barns was just as impressive. I did not get a shot of Rodrigo standing next to a Percheron gelding, but I did get one of the harnesses below. There were six total. I really should have taken a better camera!
signs.
. In most cases there were still a few smokers, so it’s probably safe to assume there were also a few guns. Not as much smoking as one would see at a horse show, though… unless horse shows have changed greatly in the last twenty years.