The Fair and a little family history

Today Paw Paw and I went on a little field trip to Franklinton. After visiting the nursing home we got a little lunch and then went to the fair. Now if you walk the main you will hear someone saying, Welcome to the largest free fair in the South. Or something of that sort. It had been awhile since Paw Paw had been-and since he has family connections to this place it was time for a visit.

I just had to get a picture of this. See the man walking with something thrown over his shoulder?
It is the skull and polished horns off some sort steer I think. Hmmmm-just wondering where it is going to end up? Only in the south.

These guys are someones prized possession. I almost entered a raffle for 1/2 a cow. But I think our freezer will be full pretty soon with deer. So I had to leave my half for some one else. ;)

Next, the antique tractors. Paw Paw has one that I think might fit in just fine with these.
And it is still working!

Here is one of the booths selling our traditional food in the south. Notice one of the items is GATOR sausage on a stick. Hmmm...no thank you. But the rest looks great. And I can pretty much guar-an-tee, it taste great too.

What is in the pot? Ever had fried pork skins? Maybe that is a southern "thang" too.
This is how they did them in the olden days.
They do taste good by the way--sure to clog your veins!

Now for the family history part. Our fair has a little section called Mile Branch. It is filled with old homes that have been donated by families. Above is a little church. Inside is a dirt floor and pews made from logs that have been split. Imagine sitting on that for an hour or more. Ouch!
Not to mention the heat and the clothes they used to wear. I would say most of these places are from the mid to late 1800's.

The picture above is the Sylvest House. My father in laws family was raised here. It was on property in Franklinton until it was donated to the fair for the village. Each year my sister in law dresses in period clothes and sits in the front room (pictures following) and welcomes those coming through.

One the front porch of the house there was a little band playing hymns.Their voices were harmonizing and the breeze was blowing--it was beautiful. I was out of my house, and singing along to the good ole songs --it was a Soul filling experience.

See the above dress? It is a 97 years old wedding dress. One of the grand daughters wanted to make a sign for it-- so if you enlarge the picture you can see the "lovely" sign. :)
It is a beautiful dress and it is in pristine condition.

The picture above is Paw Paw, my sister in law and Paw Paws first cousin. This was the first time I had seen Paw Paw smile and have a good time in a long time.
He used to dress and sit up at the Sylvest house with both my first mother in law and his new wife. His first wife passed away when I was expecting our son.

And of course I could not end this post without proof that I was there. I was sitting next to a fan so my hair was a little wind blown. Notice the picture above the fireplace? That is a picture of Paw Paws grandparents. He is 92----the picture is pretty old.
Thank you for following us along on our field trip. :)
Have a great weekend.
Thank you guys for walking through this rough week with me.
You are my sisters and I love you.