Cape Cod - Index

Cape Cod - travel_guide_2008 - Index

cart, walkie-talkie close by, “putting out fires,”
she says.
During the fair, she is around from dawn to
sometimes past midnight. She knows all about
the fair’s tradition and history, but she’s eager
to see first-hand what works and what may
need changing. She talks to fairgoers, probing,
asking questions, solving problems. She
delegates, letting directors and other volunteers
do their jobs.
She offers high praise for all the hard work
she sees. “Some of these folks have been here
for 12, 14, 17 straight days,” she says. “They are
amazing. Everyone works together and
somehow this all comes together. Even though
we are starting now for next year’s fair, this is
great to see. It truly is Cape Cod’s biggest
summer party.”
And maybe that’s the bottom line: The fair
works because the fair is fun. It’s one big, nineday
spectacle.
Debbie Williams of Oneida, NY, kicks
back on a blanket with her boyfriend before the
start of the Oak Ridge Boys concert on the nextto-last
day of the fair. “This is a fun way to spend
the day,” she says simply. She came earlier in the
week to watch the opening night fireworks and
returned again for Championship Double
Figure 8 race.
Over at the carnival, Cody Donovan, 14, and
his brother Billy, 12, are sizing up the Zipper,
arguably the scariest ride at the fair, daring each
other to be first. They return to their home near
Eau Claire, Wis., in a few days, so this is their
last chance for a thrill.
“It’s cool,” says Billy. “I can do this, no
problem.”
“You’re scared, admit it,” bellows Cody.
In the end, both ride.
And at Nerger’s Tiger and Lion Show, Polly
and Geoff Carnowe of Hamilton, Ontario, take
in the poses and jumps of the big cats with their 5year-old
son, Jacob. “Jacob’s never seen anything
like this,” Polly says, speaking for her wide-eyed
son who keeps pointing to a tiger. “We’ll
remember this day for a long, long time.” ■
Top: Pharaoh’s Revenge delivers.
Bottom: The Barnstable County Fair is all about family fun.
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