A County Fair in Arizona

Sedona's ST.com contributing writer, Hollywood Jim, and fan

Hi Folks! I don’t know about you but for me summer isn’t summer without a trip to the County fair.

Not that I’ve been to that many county fairs, okay once, but it isn’t summer without a trip to the County fair, or so my editor said when I was handed this assignment. My editor should know. He grew up in Miami. On South Beach. In a condo.

The Coconino County Fair was held in Flagstaff on an early September weekend.  In most places, September heralds the end of hot summer days. In Flag, it heralds the beginning of long johns, cords of firewood and tire chains.

But I live and work in Sedona, so I adjusted my dashing straw hat and began to envision writing about the stuff of county fair legends–paper cones of cotton candy, buckets of salted curly fries with scads of malt vinegar, fried dough slathered with canned cherry pie filling and 10x sugar, and it all washed down with a cool draft beer. Of course, it being Flagstaff, I planned to partake of these gourmand delights while lounging under a shady pine tree but  it being Flagstaff, I grabbed snow shoes just in case. Oh the anticipation of it all!

I’m a New Yorker and my family rarely ventured into the “wilds” so our trip upstate to Erie County’s fair is remembered, forever. I remember dad threatening to turn the car around and go back home if we didn’t stop fighting in the backseat, I remember mom worrying that her high heels and silk dress might get dusty at the fair, and I remember we three kids throwing up in unison when the Ferris wheel stopped.

Just how often, Peeps, do we get to have ooohhh ooohhh so much fun, and re-live it? I’m talking the smell of grass-fed beef through hand-covered-nostrils kind of fun! So call for the limo because it’s time to head north on the 89A to the Coconino County fair in Flagstaff.

Since no Out and About piece is complete without a travel hint, here it is: Going UP 89A was way better than coming DOWN 89A on Labor Day weekend.

Every park was clogged with cars and the roadside pull-offs were jammed-packed with photogs which was fine with me–lifted my spirits about the local economy. I was tempted to have my driver pull the shiny limo over to ask if the photographers wanted a “Red Rock Scene with Hollywood Jim, Local Celeb” but no need to tie-up traffic in both directions!

Here are words to the Sedona-wise: If it’s a Major Holiday, choose the All American Road, Scenic Hwy I-17 into Sedona, then park and use public transit.  Bell Rock is major fantastic when seen from this direction! Once in town, park your car for free; then ride the local trolley for free; then spend your time and money shopping and eating like a civilized person because lugging a cooler from the limo in 90 degree heat for a couple of miles (only to find that your spot on the vortex is already claimed) that is not my idea of fun.

A Roundabout Point of Sedona-interest: When my driver approached the intersection where 89A meets the I-17 roundabout, a brave Sedona policeman was directing traffic and keeping everyone going round in the right direction. Hallelujah! I overheard someone from a car offer the policeman a bottle of water, and it made me realize how Arizona peeps are nice and generous. Of course, my driver slammed dunked the roundabout and it was Coconino County Fair game on!

After paying five bucks for parking, we snagged a great parking space close to the gates. On the horizon I saw a Ferris wheel and another carnival ride that looked like people were spinning upside down. My friend asked if I was going to attempt the rides later? Of course, I answered!

Never, I knew. I wasn’t about to ruin my much anticipated County fair day by asking if she knew CPR.  Inhaler, please! Got Tums? Way not, peeps!

After paying 8 dollars each to get through the gate and into the fair, my first thought was “I gotta hit that curly fry station first thing” followed by “Then we’re off to take the quick tour.”  So we did.

We walked the area with all the carny rides, and I quickly chickened out when asked which one I was getting on. To calm my nerves, I settled for a cool draft beer. The thought of getting on that Ferris wheel had me breathing hard, but bless my watch, it was time to head to the Pepsi Stage to see the Cat Black Band perform. Who knew time could fly by so quickly?

People danced and cheered as this popular Flagstaff band took on the crowd. One guy yelled from the stands that he was in love with Ms. Cat Black and aren’t we all, Les Argoff, husband and lead guitarist?

Later, we checked out the display buildings and admired talented artists showing their work….artwork with lots of blue ribbons awarded by the people attending. We discovered a building called, according to my friend who loves to shop, “The Good Stuff” place. In this building you could buy anything from a candle holder to pots and pans, and a timeshare.

My friend bought a candleholder but also bought aloe vera cream that, according to the woman selling it, was great for any type of dry skin as well as acne, stretch marks, uneven skin tone, and wrinkles. SOLD! to the highest bidder named Hollywood Jim! When I heard that the cream was great for wrinkles, I didn’t care if it cured cancer because at that point I had to have it, and since my friend liked the sample, we got the two-for-one discount. I’ll keep you posted on the results.

Sorry no animal building report–I steered away from the buildings with animals: No offense, but chicken and beef are best seen on a dinner plate, not strutting about wearing feathers or furs.

All in all, my friend and I had the best summer time at the County fair. The September weather in Flagstaff could not have been better, and it was nice seeing families out and about with the kiddies enjoying an awesome time. Beaming smiles everywhere!

It was also nice that the County fair remains an affordable Out and About for families and couples. How cool that a family of four can spend an entire day having fun together for less than a hundred bucks including rides, cotton candy, corn on the cob, ice cream, prizes, music, and shopping? Did I mention fried dough and beer? 

I’ll be back to the Coconino County fair next year for sure! Okay driver, skip the 89A because we’re going down the I-17 please. By the way, you got Tums?