The annual Santa Clara County Fair is coming up soon: August 4-7, 2011. Maybe I'm old fashioned, or maybe it's because I grew up in the country, but I love this yearly event. I can't wait to see the cows and rabbits, the quilts and knits, the jams and pies. And getting into the fair on Thursday and Friday is FREE! Free parking AND free admission! Now, how can you pass that up? I want to see the exhibits, eat some cotton candy, listen to the live music, eat a candy apple, ride the rides, eat a corn dog, see the exhibits, and then eat whatever’s left!

This year all of the county fairs across the country are celebrating 200 Years of Fairs. According to the fair website, the first recorded modern county fair was held in Pittsfield, Massachusetts in September, 1811. Panels depicting that first fair, the history and highlights of fairs since, and the future of fairs, will be on display in Gateway Hall as an exhibit titled "Made in America - The Story of the Modern Fair."

And, of course, you can read about fairs at the library, too!