A Fair to Remember
Hugh Neeld is a freelance photographer for TylerPaper.com.
Well, another September, another East Texas Fair, and of course another Senior Day.
The last East Texas Fair I attended was in 2001. Maybe things would have been different in the intervening years had I not gone on Senior Day. I understand the meaning of Senior Day and its purpose, and I’m sure the intentions of the person who coined the name were good, although misguided. It’s just not my bag.
Even having been a senior citizen for several years, I didn’t realize (and still hadn’t acknowledged) that I was one. I’m never comfortable with any activity designated for seniors, and rarely participate. It’s bad enough to be classified as one, much less have young people smile benignly when they see a bunch of us totter around in the same arena.
I always thought it degrading to be in attendance at some function where they had special events, contests and other activities just for seniors. Seems like there’s always a king and queen voted on and selected by their peers, usually posed with cardboard crowns and styrofoam scepters for a newspaper photographer.
And the contests? Have mercy! Things like the 50-yard cane hobble, best-healed open heart scar, limp and lob crutch toss, and others equally demeaning. Prizes, too, for Oldest, Youngest and Furthest Away. And what prizes! King-size bottles of Maalox, a six-pack of Sea Bond, adult diapers, and if it’s a really big event, a Little Rascal scooter for the grand prize—even consolation prizes for everybody who can remember where they parked their car.
In case you think I’m judging Senior Day at the East Texas Fair too harshly, let me just read the story in the paper about the one I attended. Then you can form your own opinion.
“Hundreds of seniors are expected to come to the East Texas Fair Monday to take part in a day full of special events just for them,” it began. “There are two special shows in the Convention Center at 9:00 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. Each will include music, entertainment and presentations including the crowning of a King and Queen,” the article continued.
“During the morning show, entertainment will include the Stepping Stone Elementary Choir and the Hide-a-Way Lake Cloggers. During the afternoon, Rice Elementary School Choir and the Joy Group Choir will perform. At both shows entertainment will include the TJC Apache Belles & Band, as well as TV anchorwoman, Johna Fitzgerald, playing her fiddle, and Hoss Huggins on guitar.”
For those of you who do attend Senior Day at the East Texas Fair September 20th, my hope is that you enjoy the festivities. But for me, ladies and gentlemen, I rest my case.
A question to ponder:
What good is it to have seen and done it all if you can’t remember most of it?
putterhugh@suddenlink.net
Hugh Neeld is a freelance columnist for TylerPaper.com.
The last East Texas Fair I attended was in 2001. Maybe things would have been different in the intervening years had I not gone on Senior Day. I understand the meaning of Senior Day and its purpose, and I’m sure the intentions of the person who coined the name were good, although misguided. It’s just not my bag.
Even having been a senior citizen for several years, I didn’t realize (and still hadn’t acknowledged) that I was one. I’m never comfortable with any activity designated for seniors, and rarely participate. It’s bad enough to be classified as one, much less have young people smile benignly when they see a bunch of us totter around in the same arena.
I always thought it degrading to be in attendance at some function where they had special events, contests and other activities just for seniors. Seems like there’s always a king and queen voted on and selected by their peers, usually posed with cardboard crowns and styrofoam scepters for a newspaper photographer.
And the contests? Have mercy! Things like the 50-yard cane hobble, best-healed open heart scar, limp and lob crutch toss, and others equally demeaning. Prizes, too, for Oldest, Youngest and Furthest Away. And what prizes! King-size bottles of Maalox, a six-pack of Sea Bond, adult diapers, and if it’s a really big event, a Little Rascal scooter for the grand prize—even consolation prizes for everybody who can remember where they parked their car.
In case you think I’m judging Senior Day at the East Texas Fair too harshly, let me just read the story in the paper about the one I attended. Then you can form your own opinion.
“Hundreds of seniors are expected to come to the East Texas Fair Monday to take part in a day full of special events just for them,” it began. “There are two special shows in the Convention Center at 9:00 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. Each will include music, entertainment and presentations including the crowning of a King and Queen,” the article continued.
“During the morning show, entertainment will include the Stepping Stone Elementary Choir and the Hide-a-Way Lake Cloggers. During the afternoon, Rice Elementary School Choir and the Joy Group Choir will perform. At both shows entertainment will include the TJC Apache Belles & Band, as well as TV anchorwoman, Johna Fitzgerald, playing her fiddle, and Hoss Huggins on guitar.”
For those of you who do attend Senior Day at the East Texas Fair September 20th, my hope is that you enjoy the festivities. But for me, ladies and gentlemen, I rest my case.
A question to ponder:
What good is it to have seen and done it all if you can’t remember most of it?
putterhugh@suddenlink.net
Hugh Neeld is a freelance columnist for TylerPaper.com.
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