Category Archives: Goshen

The Elkhart County 4H Fair is one of the largest county fairs in the country — I’ve heard that it’s second largest but I can’t verify that.  In Indiana, I’m told that the biggest event, in terms of attendance, is the Indiana State Fair, followed by the Indianapolis 500, followed by, you guessed it, the Elkhart County Fair.  Again, I have no proof, but let’s just say this is one big honkin’ county fair.  And we love it. The Dufour family always makes an annual pilgramage to the fair to see the following main attractions: The Baby Animals – goats, rabbits, chickens, lambs, calves, poultry and other miscellaneous.  You can pet the lambs, goats, pigs and calves, but they warn you about the bunnies, because they bite.  Actually, we found the warning sign slightly amusing, but we obeyed it.  They also have warnings posted about handwashing after spending time in the various livestock tents, especially if you have little kids or you’re planning to go buy some finger food like the elephant ears or a hot dog or something. The Commercial Exhibits — exhibitors include everyone from farm implement makers, to car dealers to sunglasses vendors to people selling quack cures to the goofy creationists. Didn’t see the people who were selling detoxifying foot baths this year, though.  They’re always good for a laugh, but maybe the market isn’t good for that kind of stuff. The Pork Chop Tent — It’s not really a tent anymore, but the butterfly pork chop sandwich is definitely one of the best foods of the fair.  I’m partial to the carny corndogs, too, but we tend to buy the food that directly supports 4H or some other cause. This supports the Pork Club of 4H. The Goshen Tri-Kappa Pie Tent — also not really a tent, but this is usually our last stop of the night — after pork chop sandwich, various other treats and plenty of walking around, pie and ice cream is a great way to end things up.  I’m partial to Dutch Apple pie, actually. This year, we didn’t make the demolition derby, which is something of a tradition for us, but my son was out of town and Michele wasn’t feeling well, so enthusiasm was low.  But the Elkhart County 4H Fair is definitely worth a  visit. Or two.