The Puyallup Fair Means Fried Food and Fun Times for Three Friends

The Puyallup Fair is a tradition here in the Northwest. As Washington State's largest fair there is so much to see and do, eat and smell, buy and take photos of. This past weekend I attended opening weekend of the fair and witnessed my very first rodeo.

After parking in a huge lot my partners in crime, Tina and Lindsey, and I made note of our row by remembering the yellow house across the street and headed to the gold gate. There are several entrances around the fairgrounds. Remembering which one you entered through is key. My friends and I purchased our rodeo tickets which also included entrance to the fair and made our way to grandstand.

FYI beer and wine are allowed in the grandstand but hard liquor can only be consumed in the beer garden. So with Bud Lights in hand we found our seats about 3/4 the way up and somewhat in the middle. Not too shabby. We arrived just in time for the first event, bull riding. Since it was the finals the best of the best were competing. It was interesting and exciting to watch all of the events including: bare back riding, tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding and barrel racing. For more information on the events click here. My favorite by far was the mutton bustin, where little kids try to hold on to a sheep for as long as possible. So cute!

After the rodeo we went to explore the rest of the fair stopping by the animal exhibits to see the cows, sheep, and mama pig with her newborn babies. We wandering through the pavilions looking at award winning pumpkins and vegetable displays, and photography and fine art exhibits. We watched some of the games but didn't join so luckily no one ended up with a huge stuffed bear to bring home.

No fair experience is complete without the fair food. Some of our favorites: pulled pork sandwich, scones, krusty pup, fried anything, earthquake burger and corn on the cob. After stuffing our faces we headed over to the rides. While this might not seem like a great idea everyone survived without a "Sandlot chew" experience. There was screaming on the Extreme Scream, swinging on the Vertigo, sliding on the Giant Slide and a go around on the Big Wheel overlooking the sparkling lights of fair.

I would say it was another successful year at the Puyallup Fair. Until next year!