Through Our Lens: Traditions continue at Chesterfield County Fair

The merry-go-round offered a few minutes of shade while others kept cool with cold lemonade, soda and other fair fare. Honey the cow enjoyed the air conditioning in her trailer, where she resided during Megan Day’s milking demonstrations for Southland Dairy Farmers.

The energy was high at the foam zone, and dozens danced together while being blasted with music and refreshing foam. A few yards away, a blacksmithing demonstration made the dirt path to the heritage village even hotter.

As temperatures cooled, the fair heated up and security lines snaked halfway along the block. The colorful twinkling lights of the rides began to shine against the purple and pink sky, no longer overpowered by the bright afternoon light.

Adults and children alike shrieked with a mix of delight and thrills, while the wind whipped through their hair as they were spun, lifted and dropped on various carnival rides. From the top of the Ferris wheel, the swarms of people marched like ants between games, live music and vendors.

At ground level, the excitement was palpable as people’s arms filled with corn dogs, cotton candy, stuffed prizes and live goldfish.

The Chesterfield County Fair, which began on Aug. 23, runs through Saturday.