It is getting to be that time of year when County Fairs are held across the country, highlighting our rural roots and ambitions.
If you want to recreate that experience at home, think about hosting a County Fair themed party. It can be a lot of fun and not that hard to put together.
Invitations
Think outside the norm for some fun invitations. You could send them on blue ribbons, use red or blue gingham cloth to cover the outside of the card or card stock shaped like a barn.
Decorations
Use canning jars filled with sunflowers or wildflowers as centerpieces. Cover your tables in red or blue gingham material. For an extra pop of county fun. Put down bandanas in the center of the table before setting on the centerpieces. You can also use bandanas for napkins if you want to go all-out country. Raffia ribbon is another great choice. If you have kids who are complaining about being bored, have them make sunflower chains by running a darning needle through flower heads and stringing together on plain white thread.
If it is an evening party outdoors, use citronella candles to not only provide some nice lighting, but also keep the bugs at bay.
Games
Create your own carnival area with a variety of fun and easy games.
Pour birdseed in a large pan and sprinkle in a few pennies. Have a contest to see who can find the first penny.
Use canning jar rings and pop bottles for a ring toss game.
Sack races or three-legged races are fun. Do a tug of war game or a water balloon toss.
You can also find inexpensive carnival-like games at Oriental Trading
Shop the dollar store for fun prizes.
Contests
Have your guests bring something to enter in a contest. It could be a vegetable, baked goods or crafts. You could have several categories to choose from. If you do have several categories, select three or so guests to judge each category, splitting up the efforts so most of your guests have an opportunity to judge.
Food
You can keep the food simple and fun. Serve hot dog and hamburgers for the easiest menu. You could also make corn dogs and curly fries, if you don’t mind the frying or the calories! You can find mixes for things like corn dogs, funnel cakes and more.Think about fair foods you have enjoyed. It is easy to buy a few bags of cotton candy for your guests to share. Serve caramel apples of chocolate dipped bananas or bowls of homemade ice cream. Icy cups of strawberry lemonade or sweet tea are great beverages everyone can enjoy.
However you decide to plan your County Fair Themed Party, remember to have fun with it and enjoy your guests!
She Who Needs an Elephant Ear!
