A Fair Day in Memphis

September 5, 2009 by jcollins.

When we found out that the Delta Fair was going on in Memphis, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to enjoy some fair food and fair craziness. We got there in time to catch the first heat of the Demolition Derby, a wild event where cars bang into each other until they can’t move. The last one moving is the winner.

It was pretty neat, but when they stopped the cars for a several minutes because of an illegal hit (not sure how that’s possible, but evidently there are rules), we left to get to the Banana Derby in time to see.

The Banana Derby may be the entire reason we went to the fair, instead of one of the other plethora of options in Memphis. This contest pits monkeys riding on the backs of dogs against one another. What a site.

The dogs had all been saved from dog shelters. There was one that is retired and no longer races, but when he hears the music he still runs out and goes around the track. After the races you can have your picture taken with the monkeys, or tip them and receive luck for $.25 or a postcard for $1. It’s definitely a gimmick, but they were so cute. Watch your mailbox, you may be the recipient of a monkey distributed postcard.

The heat was starting to get to us, so we visited the expo center, if you are thinking about the expo at the Florida State Fair, divide by about 20. There were booths for all types of things from knives to Memphis State (or is it the University of Memphis now?) shirts. Our personal favorite had bumper stickers and buttons that say, “Is it 2012 yet?” Don’t worry there were the standard hot tub dealers and cooking mixes that we Floridians have come to expect at the fair.

We ran back outside just in time to see the Ostrich Races. The big birds come out of the shoot with jockeys on their back, the jockey’s last about 2 seconds, then fall off. Unfortunately for one jockey his bird also took the opportunity to use the bathroom, the entire length of the race, not to be crude, but it wasn’t liquid. The second race proved to be very similar, without the bathroom activity, the jockeys last about 2 seconds and the birds run to the end of the track. I’m not sure I can recommend the ostrich races if they come to a fair near you.

At this point, we could resist the fair food no more. Two corn dogs later, we remembered why we typically eat before the fair. We didn’t stop with the corn dogs though, we also sampled chicken on a stick – at least we opted for the grilled version instead of fried. The medieval jousting sounded like too much fun to skip, so we headed back to the dirt track to see it. About the time it was suppose to start they announced that the final heat of the Demolition Derby would be getting started in a few minutes. Evidentially the track was too muddy for the jousting so they moved it to the rodeo arena on the other side of the fairground, we decided to stay and watch the final demolition derby. It was exciting, at least until there were only two cars left and it took about 30 more minutes for one to win.

On our way out we stopped at watched aging rocker Eddie Money for a few minutes. There’s just something not right about a 60 year old man singing “Take Me Home Tonight” and ripping his shirt open. Afterwards he said, “I promise I’m going to lose some weight for you guys this year.” Too late for that one, we almost tossed our corn dogs.

One last stop by the food carts for deep fried Oreos and a funnel cake, I guess it’s a good thing someone else is going to be responsible for my health care bills in the future, I could feel my arteries clogging as I ate.

Overall it was a great day as a family at the fair.

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