Parade kicks off the fair

Under warm, sunny skies Wednesday, tractors, bands, floats and fire engines paraded through Franklinton and into the fairgrounds, ensuring that everyone’s attention was on the hot spot of activity for the week. Louisiana Technical College-Sullivan Campus, captured first place in the float competition with their down home front porch theme.

When the first marchers got to the front gates, Washington Parish Fair Association dignitaries cut the big ribbon and released a huge bag full of fair-colored balloons to celebrate that the 95th annual fair is now in full swing.

The fairgrounds were already teeming with men, women and children, eager to check out the year’s offerings. But at both Mile Branch Settlement and the Adult Fine Arts building people waited, peering in, until the parade had passed and the doors were opened to the public.

By late morning, people were everywhere. Men walked through the crowds gnawing on smoked turkey legs, women and children picnicked on green lawns outside historic cabins and other buildings in the old settlement, children squealed and laughed as they rode big, colorful “birds” in a bright circle, young adults stood in lines for more gravity-defying rides and people of all ages rested on benches, fanning themselves, watching those who passed and visiting with friends both old and brand new.

The Washington Parish Free Fair offers something for just about everybody. Each moment offers lots of opportunities, all within a few paces of the others.

There is history and simple living in Mile Branch. There is natural beauty permeated with sweet smells in the Flower House. There are examples of healthy local produce and abundant local talent in one building after another on the high grounds around the main stage where talented performers demonstrate their skills in a variety of genres. Nearby, other musicians sing and play in the comfort of the creek bank as people sit and eat and listen.

Fair-goers can see birds and beasts, both great and small. They can pet a cow, scratch a sheep and talk to a goose nose to beak. They can spin and soar and bounce on a giant rubber band in the midway, watch a cowboy try to stay atop a bucking bull for just a few seconds, and eat cheese, funnel cakes and a whole lot more.

Crowds of carefree students, free of the obligation to go to school for the day, jammed the bright and bustling midway, on Thursday. Some proudly carried big stuffed animals they’d won through prowess or presentation.

Meanwhile, thousands of people of all ages, some from as far away as Alabama, Philadelphia and Maryland, continued to arrive at the Washington Parish Fairgrounds. The fun was just getting cranked up. And it goes on. Tonight Percy Sledge will take the main stage at 7 p.m. and Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. and the Zydeco Twisters will follow at 9 p.m.