Iowa State Fair 2015 (part 2): Making Friends Edition

I like to watch the 1945 musical "State Fair" at least once before we head out to the Iowa State Fair. I'll freely admit that is nerdy, but I like to brush up on the melodies before walking around the fairgrounds humming the songs. 

And sometimes life imitates art.

Isn't it kind of fun holding hands?
According to a sweet and corny custom? 
                                   "Isn't Kinda Fun?" State Fair soundtrack

We bought Charlotte a one-day wristband that would allow her on as many midway rides as she wanted. 

This ride is the fair's midway version of the Frog Hopper at Adventureland.

Well, that's what we thought. What we didn't know is that this ride bounces the kids harder and higher. In a word, it was scary. Somehow Char and the girl sitting next to her locked hands as they screamed together. The two had bonded by the time the bouncing was done. They then walked off the ride's platform holding hands, and as they ran to the next ride Char exclaimed, "We're friends now!"

And so they were. For the next hour the two girls were inseparable. And by default, so were their parents. This was a new wrinkle.

I don't want to sound like a jerk, but, "Dang it!" I was hoping I'd only have to follow our daughter around the midway as she waved from one ride to the next; I wasn't planning on 60 grueling minutes of small talk with strangers. I know the secret to small talk is asking questions and keeping the other person happy while I pretend to care, but that's a lot a work, and I didn't feel like exerting myself. I'm socially lazy.

But I did it because Char was having so much fun:

Isn't it kind of fun making vows?
Admitting that we both intend to bust 'em!
                                   "Isn't Kinda Fun?" State Fair soundtrack

By 11:30 both set of parents were ready to do their own thing, but the girls weren't. The other mom suggested that her family would walk up the hill to meet friends, and then she'd text us when they were ready to do more rides. The girls seemed happy with this solution, but as the moms were exchanging numbers the other Dad started showing me his back and quietly walking away. I could tell he had no intention of contacting us again...

What a relief! Thanks, guy!

But using words less diginified, Isn't it kind of fun to be together? 
                                 "Isn't Kinda Fun?" State Fair soundtrack

Then, after lunch, it happened again. Char made friends in a twirling apple. Friend #2 was visiting the fair with her grandmother who seemed genuinely relieved that she wouldn't have to ride anything now that granddaughter had a pal. AND she wanted to talk less than I did. Score! Char's good times continued to roll, and the three adults quietly followed.

After another hour's worth of rides it was time to call it a day.

A few days later we returned to the fairgrounds, but Char only had a "one ride" coupon to spend. Charlotte and this young lady decided to be partners while waiting in line for the "Wacky Worm". I managed to get a picture of their joy as they went streaking by.

This friendship was destined to last only as long the Worm traversed its track, and Charlotte pouted after the two of them had parted ways. She got over it, though. She had discovered something about the Iowa State Fair. The fair offered more than food and entertainment. It was also full of friends! And that's pretty cool, even if those friends would eventually fade into the crowd.

Maybe you're not a girl to have and to hold,
Maybe I'm not a boy who would stay.
But isn't it kind of fun carousing around the town
Dancing the night away? 

                                 "Isn't Kinda Fun?" State Fair soundtrack