And Best Idaho State Fair Award Goes To...

On our way back to Boise we stopped at the Eastern Idaho Fair. I had heard ENDLESS stories about how the EIF was THE BEST FAIR EVER on the PLANET and that is SMASHED the Western Idaho Fair. Seriously, I think I have heard about how awesome the EIF was from my in-laws at least 20 times since joining the family. I was always skeptical...so far Boise had proven to be better than anything East Idaho. Why stop now? Well, here is the rundown:
1. Rides: A Tie. While the WIF may have a few more, they both have the essentials, including The Zipper. So they tie.
2. Livestock: A Tie again. Both have about the same amount and the same animals.
3. Local art/crafts/etc: Another tie. A ton of mediocre art and crafts everywhere you look winning awards.
4. Food: Clearly the EIF is the winner here. Way more food and local booths, not the standard fair crap you see at the WIF. Amazing food.
5. Entertainment: The WIF wins here...but who really goes for entertainment? Not me. Unless the Beastie Boys are playing the fair, I could care less.

So in the end the EIF wins, mostly based on food. Also, it has a more local feel than the WIF. I like that local vibe...its what fairs should be all about. So you win Judes and Lynn. You win.
This is the first thing we found at the fair...and you know Max spent hours in this kids land of cars. He was in heaven. Best fair ever!I mentioned the food. Well, I got me a fresh prime rib sandwich from Doug's Meats in Shelley, Idaho. Unreal and delicious...covered in fat and juice and wow.Other delicious possibilities.A place that sells bread...you see what I'm saying about more local food options?Max had been begging all morning for some "frensh fries", so he got them and loved them. Jonathon got one of those glazed donut burgers. I think it did a major number on his stomach...but it was worth it in the moment.All the delicious sugar and fat and salt can sometimes make kids go Coo Coo!Kristin shows off the gigantic slab of meat she was consuming off the bone. Then it was time to see livestock! This was another reason for coming to the fair because Max is obsessed with animals right now. It was as expected...he was transfixed, hypnotized, enthralled (you get it) with all the animals.He got to pet bunnies!Little Ryan was just happy when someone gave him some attention, especially attention from his dad. Real cute kid.Butts. Max kept saying "mooooo" to the cows. He wanted to talk to them so bad.Hello sheep...my name is Max. Will you let me pet you? I so very much want to.Hello goat...you kind of scare me with your horns. Enough animals, it was RIDE TIME! The rest of the cousins had been eagerly awaiting their turn on the rides.Abigale, Lidia and Ben went on the boats...Max freaked out and we had to take him off. Sorry kid, just not ready for that one I guess.But he was ready to go on the "big cars" with his dad, which he loved.I'm not kidding, he loved. "More big car?" he questioned when I took him away. I guess he doesn't understand how expensive those ride tickets are.

Well EIF...you are something special. I will visit you again and proclaim your glory to others (but not with as much vigor as some other people I know)