MOFGA

Common Ground Fair happened. This was the first time I'd been since I was very very little, and the first time I'd been able to make it since I'd begun gardening, so it was grounds for some excitement. Unfortunately, wouldn't you know it, my camera died right when we arrived on the fairgrounds, so I was unable to capture any images.

Just imagine: dozens of tents, tens of thousands of people ((22,000 in three days)), cows, sheep, ducks, pigs, horses, more cows, sheepdogs, alpacas, rabbits, chickens ((and other assorted poultry)), vendors, veggies, chiblings, crafts, jewelery, musicians and a variety of empty animals.

Mix in equal parts: Lectures, demonstrations, classes, workshops and chibling crafts.

Top with: Food. Ohmygodsfood. Common Ground food vendors must supply items that are at least 50% ((by weight)) Maine grown products. Which in this case meant a vague lack of noodle product, but resulted in local lamb, fried Maine shrimp ((regular shrimps cannot compare)), Give Peas a Chance soup, deep fried veggie and cheese pods, dumplings, fried onions, crab and lobster rolls, cider, switchel, lemonade, Cranberry Boog Juice, smoothies, fritters, fried dough, ice cream, fruit and cheesecake pie cones...oi.

The other thing about the fair is that there is a ban on coffee products, chocolate and black tea. While these things can now be found organic and fair trade, fair organisers felt it would defeat the purpose of the fair's local focus. There was also a frown on refined sugars, so most everything there was sweetened with honey. Whole wheat fried dough with maple powder, cinnamon and honey? Yes, please!

But what really brings the fair together are the workshops and classes. Opening up the CGF three day schedule, my first thought was, "How on earth am I going to be able to fit this all in?" TOH and I compromised, though, and we went to the "Canning 101" workshop and "Organic Vegetables in Self-Watering Containers" lecture. Very interesting, both, and the former helped assuage my fear that I'm going to kill us both with botchulism. Who knew apples were high enough in acid to water bath? ...everyone? Oh. :D

The lecture on the energy status of the world was disappointing, though. Mostly, he was preaching to the choir and the whole thing boiled down to "There is a problem, people need to realise there's a problem, and then we need to fix the problem." I had expected a little more from them, I guess.

Most important lesson learned: If you are traveling with other people in one car...make sure you know where to meet your driver if you get separated!. My friend G and I lost TOH ((who was driving)) at some point, and we had zero idea how to find him. The place was packed and no cell reception, so we wandered to all the places we imagined he would be and hoped. Through some miracle, we found him before panic set in. Whew.

What an exhausting weekend. I really wish I had pictures. I think I'm going to put in for a new camera this Christmas :)