While this past year has been a wild ride, it was clearly not as much fun as the carnival rides offered up at the recent Indian River County Firefighters Fair, which had been among the first major events to be canceled last year due to the pandemic.
The air was filled with the shrieks and laughter of the brave souls on rides, the oohs and aahs elicited during the live entertainment and the always enticing aroma of festival foods, all a welcomed attack on the senses as fairgoers took in the sights at the Indian River County Fairgrounds.
There may have been slightly fewer rides and vendors this year but, were it not for the wearing of face masks, the crowds were reminiscent of previous years.
“We may be down a little bit from 2019, but it’s definitely better than 2020,” said Wayne Howard, general manager, an understatement as the 2020 fair was shut down the Friday night it was due to open.
For the past 40 years, the Firefighters Fair has provided thousands of families with wholesome family fun, all to benefit the Indian River County Burn Fund and other charities, high school scholarships and fairground improvements. This year’s featured nonprofits were the American Red Cross, United Against Poverty, the Salvation Army and One Blood, by way of blood donations.
The biggest change this year was with vendors, said Howard. “A lot of them have gone out of business because of COVID, and some just aren’t ready to come back yet.”
Many of the programs and shows offered education as well as entertainment. The Firefighter Training Show, always a hot ticket, had children literally stepping into firefighters’ boots to learn how to put out a fire and what to do when there’s smoke.
Other distractions included hypnosis, blacksmith demonstrations, variety shows, wild west revues and Vero Beach Recreation Department Aerial Antics performers, who wowed the crowd with their acrobatics and tumbling.
The fair also provides the backdrop for the annual Indian River County Youth Livestock and Horticulture Activities Show, promoting and encouraging the work of agriculturally focused clubs, including 4-H and the Future Farmers of America.
Howard said there appeared to be more project entries this year than ever before, crediting the increase to the extra time off when schools were shut down.
“Their parents were probably looking for something to keep the kids busy, so they decided to do 4-H projects,” said Howard.
Students, who crowned a barn king and queen to reign over the festivities, showcased their expertise in a whip-cracking contest and were judged on their citrus trees and baked goods as well as during swine, poultry, rabbit, goat, sheep, steer, cavy and breed stock shows, concluding with an auction of their projects.
“There are still shows and fairs around the country that aren’t open, so we feel blessed that we were able to put on a full-scale show,” said David Flynt, president of IRC Youth Livestock and Horticulture, the organization that oversees the agricultural exhibits and auctions.
There was even a sold-out goat yoga class, with more petting and cuddling than actual yoga poses, as it is understandably difficult to concentrate when being stared down by a furry kid.
Photos by Kaila Jones
