Each year the small Central Massachusetts town of Sterling, Massachusetts (population 8000) welcomes around 40,000 visitors to the Sterling Fair over a three day period. How fitting that each year the ukulele group I belong to, The Sterling Strummers, gives a concert there.
After the concert, I took some quick captures of the sights on my phone. The brightly colored billboards stood out against the clear blue sky, and later I learned a few things about fast food trends and classic old-fashioned ride decor, as well.
“Fair” warning: Many of the following photos are not for weight watchers!
Deep fried oreos were very popular. You can make them at home with or without a deep fryer.
No fair can be without a classic Ferris Wheel, originally designed as a monument to outshine the Eiffel Tower.
The Silly Symphony Swings are decorated with Venetian scenes, dating back to European designs.
The carousel has ornate jester faces, which have their roots in medieval tournaments and festivals. Decorations served to hide the mechanical work under the roof.
Dubai coffee, pizza, cannoli or candy apples? It’s all here in Sterling, Massachusetts.
Junk food junkie heaven, ha! Luckily yesterday’s weather was so fine, today was quite a bit soggier!
Yes, full disclosure: I had never heard of deep fried oreos or Dubai coffee. The pizza I had was very good, though! 😉
Love small town fairs Julie…and the honesty of that sign Fried Dough. Who doesn’t want that? Have a good evening. Allan
Love your photos and post. As I was reading through memories of the fun times I have had at the fair. We often joked about being able to get any kind of food – on a stick! The deep fried Oreos made me think about it. My favorite – had to find it – snack was funnel cake – Yum!!
Thank you for your photos and. your post. It looks like you had a great time!
So funny you should mention the funnel cake-it was there and I had never heard of it before. My photo of the sign didn’t come out that clear, so I didn’t use it. I might just have to post it anyway. 😀
Glad you liked the pics. I was using my old Samsung phone.
Wishing you a good week!
Hope you have a good week too Julie! 🙂
A fine record, Julie. I like that you play the ukulele
Hurrah for a beautiful blue-sky day at the fair! And hurrah for your uke group being able to play there! I was at a farmers’ market recently which included a lot of these delicious-looking (although perhaps not very nutritious) food trucks. Glad the pizza was tasty. My favorite photos are of the carousel. Such lovely, ornate details! There is a carousel in NYC’s Central Park which I used to love going to as a child… Deep breath in. Deep breath out.
Ukulele performances, jester faces, blue skies, junk food–sounds like the perfect fair, Julie. And I liked that the teacher in you also gave us some background history bits.