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Congratulations to the 2008 Wisconsin State Fair Memory Contest winner, Sharon Thims! Sharon's Fair Memory:
"To me, the Fair is like going back home to see an old friend. In almost 60 years, I have never missed going to visit this old friend. Just like me, this old friend has gone thru some changes and yet, it still remains exciting and memorable. When I was little, sleeping out on the porch, by my grandma's house, and listening to the sounds of the animals at the fair, was absolutely the best. Grandma lived across the street from the fair, and every year, our family would get together, to help grandma and grandpa park cars, for those eager fairgoers. Then again, going to the Fair, with my mom, aunt Nancy, and my sister every year, was very memorable. One time, my little sister Karen, ate 6 strawberry shortcakes, in a row. Back then, they were only 25 cents, and my aunt Nancy, would always treat my sister and I, to just about anything we wanted. How much better could it get? Then again, the year that my dad, took me on the big white wooden roller coaster, was very memorable. When that roller coaster would shake, and we were at the top, right before that first dip, I thought that there could never be anything more exciting than this. Then again, sitting on the porch, with grandma and grandpa, eagerly waiting to see mom and dad, across the street in the Fair by the fence, holding the most beautiful big stuffed animals that dad had won at the games at the Fair, was very memorable. Then again, what could be better, in a young girl's life, then going to the Fair, for the first time with your boyfriend. After all, my mom and dad, who have now been married for sixty years, met at the Fair, on a blind date. She too, grew up across the street from the Fair. Then again, taking my own children to the Fair for the first time, was very memorable. My date at the Fair, was now my husband, Terry. Now I would share with my children, all the memorable sights and sounds of the Fair. Watching the bakers make those sweet, creamy, fluffy cream puffs and the smells of roasting corn and the sounds of music floating thru the air, and the tradition of not going to the Midway until the bright lights were on. Of course it took all day, just to see all the animals and all the exhibits. The most memorable exhibits, I thought, were in the women's building. All of those sweet, delicious , wonderful baked goods, reminded me of watching my grandma and my mom baking some of the most wonderful pies and cookies, I have ever tasted. Even though the women's building is now gone, I can still remember vividly the first time I won a blue ribbon. How excited I was. I actually did it. I won a blue ribbon. Yet I still think that my grandma, mom, and now my little sister can bake better than me. However, having my recipe printed in the State Fair cook book, was very memorable. It was my grandma's recipe. I shared with my children all the memories of growing up at the Fair, and how I had never missed a Fair in my whole life, even when I was 8 months pregnant. I told them the story of how I had become ill at the Fair, from the heat, and how wonderful the fire department at the Fair was. I had a ride thru the Fair, in one of those old ambulances, with all of those big windows around it. Then again, the first time, I took my grandchildren to the Fair, really stands out. Telling them all the stories of the past, of their great grandparents, grandparents, parents, aunts, and even great aunts, at the Fair. Then again, watching my daughter enter at the Fair and win ribbons was very memorable. How time flies. Even now, even though, the women's building no longer stands, and the Pine Hut is just a memory, each year, like an old friend, the Fair continues to make memorable moments. For instance, standing in front of a glass case with your children and grandchildren, looking at an exhibit of beautiful Christmas ornaments, with a big blue ribbon next to it, and seeing your "little sister's" name on it, is a moment in time, I will never forget. I was so overwhelmed with a feeling of love, pride and family, it will forever remain in my heart and mind, as one of those "Great Moments" in time. Yet still, I only wish there were pictures of my mom being chased by a horse thru the Fair, when she was a little girl. That sounds really funny, but it is true." - Sharon Thims |
The Grand Champion Patio will encircle the Central Mall Fountain and contain over 5,000 sq.ft. of bricks that are available to be engraved with a personal message to commemorate a special occasion or to share a favorite Fair memory. The site was selected because of its interesting history related by the Fair Park Historian, Jerry Zimmerman, “The Central Mall Fountain was built for the 1961 Wisconsin State Fair, the first Fair after the permanent midway was removed. It was an open fountain until the ‘hippie’ generation decided it was a great place to congregate. The fountain was turned into a flower bed giving a new meaning to ‘flower power’ and it remained as such until it was rediscovered in the 1990s and return to a fountain” This slice of Fair history and a time capsule will be the theme of the Grand Champion Patio dedication on July 30, 2008.