Imagine two masses of muscle each standing eight feet high and weighing at least two thousand pounds apiece suddenly charging in front of you pulling a pallet of concrete blocks behind them. As I’m sure some of you have already guessed, I am talking about horse pulls. For those unfamiliar with this term, horse pulls are competitions where teams of two horses, generally Clydesdales or other breeds of draft horses, pull a pallet of massive concrete blocks, the number of which increases as each level is completed by each team, for a set distance until only one team is able to pull the pallet to the set distance or pulls the pallet farther than any of the other teams. This was the main attraction at the 154th Belchertown Fair in Belchertown, MA which commenced on September 23 and concluded on September 25 despite muddy grounds and a temporary cancellation due to rain. Like many other fairs, the Belchertown Fair included rides for kids and a few for adults as well, items for purchase (shirts, jewelry, pictures, etc.), and the typical food expected at such an event including corn dogs, fried dough, ice cream, and so on and so forth.
Personally, I had an enjoyable time going to the fair with an old friend of mine. The grounds on which the fair takes place every year are not vast so with all of the booths, rides, and people, it was a bit crowded but nevertheless, I was able to move around pretty easily. The only advice I can give if you decide to go is don’t wear a good pair of shoes. I was unaware of the location of the fair before I went and I paid the price. My sneakers are still caked in mud and emanate a smell which reveals that I have been around horses and other farm-type animals. In my case, that’s not a huge deal but to someone else it could be an issue.
I am not huge on clothes shopping but in the case of the Belchertown Fair I did leave with a tan t-shirt declaring the Native Americans to be America’s first Homeland Security. Other reasonably priced t-shirts along with earrings, sweaters, wallets, etc. filled a number of tents. What made the items stand out, though, was that there seemed to be Native American influence in all of them. Many of the shirts and sweaters portrayed images and messages relating to Native Americans or to Mother Earth, the earrings had different feathers hanging from them, and the wallets were painted in differing colors. Plus, the vendors were obviously of Native American descent so that could explain everything.
As I said previously, the food at the fair was standard for such an event but it exceeded my expectations. I indulged in strawberry/pineapple twist ice cream, a foot long hot sausage with peppers and onions, and a basket of cheese fries all of which I was very impressed with and highly recommend. Other food choices which I grew too full to try were burgers, hot dogs, fried dough, corn dogs, ice cream sundaes, and more.
All in all, the fair provides a safe and fun time for people of all ages. I would recommend going at least once just for the experience. For a good number of people, seeing events like horse pulls in such a rural community may be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Also, there are things to do for both children and adults so there is little chance that you will be bored. And if you need any more incentive, the fair is free to get into so you can’t possibly waste your money by just entering the grounds.
Personally, I had an enjoyable time going to the fair with an old friend of mine. The grounds on which the fair takes place every year are not vast so with all of the booths, rides, and people, it was a bit crowded but nevertheless, I was able to move around pretty easily. The only advice I can give if you decide to go is don’t wear a good pair of shoes. I was unaware of the location of the fair before I went and I paid the price. My sneakers are still caked in mud and emanate a smell which reveals that I have been around horses and other farm-type animals. In my case, that’s not a huge deal but to someone else it could be an issue.
I am not huge on clothes shopping but in the case of the Belchertown Fair I did leave with a tan t-shirt declaring the Native Americans to be America’s first Homeland Security. Other reasonably priced t-shirts along with earrings, sweaters, wallets, etc. filled a number of tents. What made the items stand out, though, was that there seemed to be Native American influence in all of them. Many of the shirts and sweaters portrayed images and messages relating to Native Americans or to Mother Earth, the earrings had different feathers hanging from them, and the wallets were painted in differing colors. Plus, the vendors were obviously of Native American descent so that could explain everything.
As I said previously, the food at the fair was standard for such an event but it exceeded my expectations. I indulged in strawberry/pineapple twist ice cream, a foot long hot sausage with peppers and onions, and a basket of cheese fries all of which I was very impressed with and highly recommend. Other food choices which I grew too full to try were burgers, hot dogs, fried dough, corn dogs, ice cream sundaes, and more.
All in all, the fair provides a safe and fun time for people of all ages. I would recommend going at least once just for the experience. For a good number of people, seeing events like horse pulls in such a rural community may be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Also, there are things to do for both children and adults so there is little chance that you will be bored. And if you need any more incentive, the fair is free to get into so you can’t possibly waste your money by just entering the grounds.
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