 On The Line -- Issue 603 -- October 6, 2006  Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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On The Line -- Issue 603 -- October 6, 2006 Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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Many traditions flourish in San Benito County and among the most time-honored is its annual county fair held for most of its existence at Bolado Park. This year its 83rd staging, "Fields of Fun," ran from Sept. 28 through Oct. 1.
Any time that an event goes so well, as the county fair has done year after year. You can bet that many people have put a lot of work and time into the details to avoid any hitch that could arise. Kelley Ferreira, who came here 20 years ago this summer, sidesteps praise for the fair's success, putting the spotlight instead on "the number of wonderful board members, staff, department heads and volunteers who assure that it's a hit year after year." Some facets, however, cannot be controlled. Every now and then a heat wave, a storm or exceptionally cold weather can drop attendance. "But even though we acknowledge that it can happen, we go ahead and plan as best as we can so that when it comes off -- and most of the time the weather is fair for the fair -- it's a good job." The Saturday of the fair was indeed overcast and it appeared that its normal attendance was down but whether that was from the weather or because it was the first day of the popular Salinas Air Show, or a combination of both was hard to tell. Among the first people sighted emerging from the parking lot around noon were Elvira Robinson and Kent Child. They have been seen together frequently at functions, including the last county Chamber of Commerce mixer, but it is to call attention to Gavilan College, of whose board they are members. They were on their way to the Pavilion to staff the Gavilan College booth. On the way they talked of several topics, including Child's admiration of Robert Duvall's acting ability. Mrs. Robinson agreed and among his roles liked "Lonesome Dove." They passed a nest of Exchange Club members on their way. The Exchangites, including John Hodges and Leonard Poletti, were gathered around the club's beer and wine booth, whose proceeds will go to toward helping area youngsters. Sonny Flores was on hand as were Bob Stevens and Josh Redmond, busy drawing beer and pouring wine. Sitting nearby were Jason Arballo and wife Frankie Valent-Arballo, who greeted many passers-by as they sipped their drinks. John Arballo arrived about then and was hailed by other club members. Rick Shelton, always willing to lend a hand, fell into conversation with fellow members about politics, both local and national, as well as weather, local personalities and just about anything that pops up during conversations with friends. Farther on down were the number of food-selling booths, the county's answer to the Gilroy Garlic Festival's Gourmet Alley. Many choices of food were offered, ranging from the traditional hot dog to more elaborate items like fried artichoke hearts and Chinese cuisine. Seated at a bench having a hilarious time were Willene Wattis and her soul sister, Jill Monaco. They were enjoying a respite from husbands Paul Wattis and Reb Monaco, apparently out cultivating voters for the Nov. 7 county Board of Supervisors' race. Wattis is not a candidate but gives all his support to Monaco. Whatever the ladies had been laughing about they did not say as a male friend sat down with them for a few minutes. Perhaps it was something that he did not want to hear because the ladies' eyes gleamed even though they did not discuss why they had been laughing. Sitting close by were Tim Gutierrez with Verette Pimentel and her mother, Adele Pimentel, all smiling and prepared to enjoy the fair. Miss Pimentel said that a young friend, Giovani Gastello, was excited about his first-time entry in livestock, a swine. He is a sophomore at San Benito High School and a member of the Future Farmers of America. (Note: The 221-pound swine later brought $9 a pound from Everett Grabeel. A wag, feigning misunderstanding, said, "I thought it was a nine-pound swine that brought $221 a pound.") Also in the area talking with friends were Tim and Gwynne Renfrow, no strangers to the fair as they were born and raised in the county and have seen many of them over the years. Yet, they enjoy every one. Inside the Pavilion, visitors streamed by to see all the booths, and those staffing them greeted friends among them and dutifully handed out literature or explained the sponsors' programs. Many booths had candy or small gifts bearing the sponsor's name, to give away. Jack Markle talked with many people. He is a successful Realtor and a key member of the Hazel Hawkins Hospital board and has donated time and effort to the Chamber and other agencies. Meanwhile in the other buildings and on the grounds, the fair unfolded its many aspects -- from floriculture and canning, livestock and poultry, clowns, strolling musicians, singer, a hypnotist, rides and good fun for all. Its biggest attraction continues to be what it has always been, the people who come to it singly, couples, families, and range from babes in arms to nonagenarians. Most wear smiles for this occasion and those smiles are met by others on the faces of friends. There is Ray Valenzuela hurrying along, likewise Bill Gere. Wolfgang Leitenberger happily demonstrates model trains to enthralled youngsters, and Ruth Ericson finds many subjects of conversation with many people. Kathleen Sheridan flashes her trademark smile, Marv Jones waves and Francene Markle responds warmly to friends congratulating her on her art competition awards. Curtis Hill jokes with a friend and laughs at his joke in return. Larry and Darlene Brown pause for a moment to catch up on local happenings with an old friend, and Art Cantu beams from his Habitat for Humanity booth, while Helen Chouinard smiles sweetly at friends who stop by her photography booth. You sense the awe of city-bred youngsters in the Poultry Building, some seeing for the first time the emergence of new life as a chick breaks through its shell to take its place in a new and amazing world. Everywhere one sees people smiling, talking, laughing together and the feeling of this is what life is supposed to be, good people enjoying each other's company and instilling without lessons that feeling in their children and grandchildren. You see it in the smile of Ann Strickland at her place in front of the park's museum that includes several riatas made by her late father, Russell Hodges, and it is reflected in Dean Croft's happy nod as he grills hamburgers and hotdogs outside the Exchange Club's refreshment stand. The happiness is everywhere and is the fundamental reason for the fair's success and why it will continue its annual run for many years to come. |
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