Show and Tell Tuesday: Hometowns
It’s Show and Tell Tuesday and I’m talking all about my hometown of where I grew up! I grew up in a very, very, small rural town in Pennsylvania. There is a TON of farmland, endless back roads, and Amish in the mix. I grew up in the first house my parents built, in 1980 and still live in. There are only two main grocery stores, several churches, and so many cows.
There is a fair that is held every year in my hometown. Three days in September of pure joy. I haven’t missed a year since I was a baby and don’t exactly intend to! 🙂 My Grandma used to be the head of the kitchen committee, but after she passed away, my Mom took over. There is a parade on Wednesday that people will put chairs and blankets out for days in advance to reserve their spot. Streets are blocked off, there are too many tractors to count and floats that go on for miles. They have killer barbecue, mouth-watering funnel cakes, and amazing milkshakes! The food in itself will make you want to visit. There is a baby parade, steer show, crowds of people and so much more. I remember bringing friends from college, and eventually Eric and trying to describe it before we went. I struggled to find the words of a place that holds so many memories. I wouldn’t trade that for anything. 🙂
Our school mascot was the brunt of all jokes. A golden mule? Really? Yes. Feel free to insert every joke possible, I’ve probably heard it and cringe every time.
My hometown in Pennsylvania will always be home. I spent 18 years of my life in this town. I went to elementary, middle, and high school there. I learned to swim at the local pool and drive for the first time around town. I have memories of homecoming and prom in this town, and every sporting event possible. I may not live there now, but when I think of my hometown, a big part of my heart will always turn right to that small town in PA. 🙂
Owen Davis
March 8, 2016 @ 8:00 am
I still live in my hometown and never plan to leave! I went off for college which was the perfect amount of time but now I’m so happy to be back. My husband is from a town like your hometown and my in-laws live on a huge farm, we absolutely love going back. It’s so relaxing!
Stephanie Spring
March 8, 2016 @ 6:35 pm
Hey Owen!
That’s so fun! I actually planned on moving to the Carolina’s right before I met my husband! It is one of my favorite places! 🙂
Alicia Kofroth
March 8, 2016 @ 8:50 am
This makes me smile 🙂 Best place to grow up! Love all of our memories here.
Stephanie Spring
March 8, 2016 @ 6:36 pm
I seriously love that you commented and I’m not surprised one bit that it’s on this one. 😉 Love you!
Maddie Butterfield
March 8, 2016 @ 12:23 pm
I love this! I grew up in a farming community too and I loved it! And local fairs are just the best!
Stephanie Spring
March 8, 2016 @ 6:37 pm
I just read yours! So fun! I can’t get enough of fairs! haha
Mel @ The Larson Lingo
March 8, 2016 @ 1:41 pm
I agree, local fairs are the best! It sounds like your hometown was a great place to grow up!
Stephanie Spring
March 8, 2016 @ 6:38 pm
It definitely was but let me tell you…you complete sold me on the San Fran Bay Area! I have wanted ti visit CA for years and I might have to sooner than later now. 😉
Regine Karpel
March 8, 2016 @ 8:47 pm
Love
http://www.rsrue.blogspot.com
Stephanie Spring
March 9, 2016 @ 8:55 pm
Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Mandii
March 8, 2016 @ 8:56 pm
Your hometown sounds a lot like mine. I live near the Amish too, and our county fair is THE place to be the week before schools start back again.
Stephanie Spring
March 9, 2016 @ 8:55 pm
So fun! You can’t beat a good fair! 🙂
Kim Taylor
March 8, 2016 @ 10:58 pm
I lived in Hershey, Pa from 1994-1998. My ex husband is from State College and I have loved Penn State since 1984! I live in California now and have since we divorced and I moved back home, in 1998. But I loved living in Hershey! I miss the east!
Stephanie Spring
March 9, 2016 @ 8:54 pm
I love, love, love Hershey! Although, Cali doesn’t sound so bad either. 😉 Thanks for reading!
Michelle
March 9, 2016 @ 8:49 am
What is your hometown? I had a very similar hometown–Elizabethtown, inLancaster Co. Was an interesting place to grow up for sure. I actually couldn’t wait to escape–haha. When I go back now, I laugh at myself when I am sharing all the unique-ness of rural Lancaster–like the hitching post at the grocery and the post office, and shoo fly pie–to my teenage son. I do have great reverence for that beautiful land, and it is sad to see it gobbled up by suburbia.
Stephanie Spring
March 9, 2016 @ 8:58 pm
My parent’s are in that neck of the woods! Small world! It’s like nothing else, that’s for sure. 😉
Elinor
March 9, 2016 @ 8:51 pm
Sold! We’re trying out your hometown fair this year!
Stephanie Spring
March 9, 2016 @ 8:53 pm
As I wrote the post, I seriously was thinking how you guys need to come next year! 🙂
Marty Greenleaf
July 4, 2016 @ 4:29 pm
Hi ! My mother was co-founder of the fair and was in charge of all the food events for the first 15 years of the fair. I served as president a few years ago and have been a director much of my life. In your picture of the row of tractors, the second and third ones from the left are mine. I was 4 years old when the fair started and my mother would stick me in the corner of the food tent and I was pretty much stuck there 12 hrs a day for 3 + days. Love the fair. Who was your grandmother ?
Stephanie Spring
July 6, 2016 @ 2:27 pm
Isn’t the fair the best?! So fun! My Grandmother was Orpha Weaver! Did your Mom know her? Thanks for saying something!
Marty Greenleaf
July 6, 2016 @ 3:05 pm
Oh I am sure. Was her husband Jason ? Kenny was in my class at school, and I know several of his sisters. Isn’t one of them still helping with the kitchen ?
Stephanie Spring
July 6, 2016 @ 3:17 pm
It was! And the one still helping in the kitchen is my Mom! 🙂