A Window Into the Delta Fair & Music Festival Come with me on a little trip just around the corner to an event called the Delta Fair & Music Festival The whirling lights and rides are what we see first as we drive into the Agricenter property. We are greeted by friendly parking attendants who guide us to our parking space. The parking attendants are volunteers from a local charity and we make a $2 donation to help their cause…it’s a feel good moment to know our car will be in good hands and we are helping a great cause! We feel safe and secure as we get out of our car and find the parking lot lit up with portable light towers. As we move closer to the fairgrounds we can hear the laughter of children and from the main stage we hear the distant and distinct sound of a band that we heard on the radio on the way to the fair and then the wonderful smell of corn dogs and funnel cakes…our mouths start to water as our excitement builds! Walking through the main gate we easily purchase our wristbands and we find ourselves right in the heart and soul of the Delta Fair and Music Festival…the Midway. We are greeted by an 18 foot tall man on stilts and a happy clown…all kinds of rides await us…from the Grand Ferris Wheel to the ever popular Tilt-a-Whirl! It’s everything a Midway should be from Kiddie rides for the little ones to the Sensational Rides that take your breath away. We decide to get the lay of the land from above on the Grand Ferris Wheel. From high atop the Grand Ferris Wheel we can see all that awaits us…arts & craft exhibitors are set up on the grounds surrounding the Agricenter along with the very best in fair food! We can smell Memphis Barbecue and see the smoke coming from a vendor’s booth. We see the lights from the Main Stage and hear and feel the thump of the bass as a well known country music artist kicks off the night to an exuberant yet well behaved crowd of fans! Over at the Showplace Arena we can see families and young people making their way inside to experience the excitement of the Lone Star Rodeo. It’s awesome! We hear from the Rodeo announcer that later in the week, the Fair will feature a Demolition Derby and a Star of the Fair Talent Competition where the winner will be sent – all expenses paid – to the next American Idol tryout! More people are moving in and out of the Agricenter where we can see hundreds of unique and one of a kind exhibits. As the ride slows…we get off and make our way through the Midway and stop for a funnel cake and lemon shake up…they hit the spot! While we are finishing up our funnel cake and lemon shake ups we are entertained by a roaming magician who is as funny as he is talented. Out of the corner of our eye we see a flash of fire! It’s another roaming entertainer…this time a woman fire eater! We wonder how the Delta Fair is able to charge such a fair price for admission while having such top notch entertainment. In the not too far distance we see a crowd gathered around another stage inside of a large tent. They are sitting in chairs around tables sipping hot coffee. We assume that this is the Story Telling Tent that we read about in the paper and comment that we should stop in later. Further along, we come by an exhibit that is sponsored and staffed by a large local corporation who has partnered with the fair to tackle the challenges of improving education in our city and surrounding communities. They are sharing with fair goers their ideas on mentoring and ways to help resource schools. We are thrilled to find out that this corporation along with the Delta Fair are making huge donations to the school systems of our communities. Squeals of children draw us on. A special area called Kids Zone is packed with kids and parents having fun doing everything from jumping together in giant blow up attractions and moon bounces to painting huge canvases using what look like toilet brushes and mops! Everyone is having a blast as they are surely making memories for a lifetime! In another area we see all kinds of old fashioned contests going on for all ages…we can’t help but laugh as two young people are going neck and neck in a watermelon eating contest. To find some rest for our tired feet we wander over to the Arts Village. A gallery for the visual arts will be a relief for our weary legs. In the distance we can hear the rhythmic jig of a Celtic folk band playing, inviting all who hear their music to dance in wonder and delight. As we wander out of the Arts Village, we are drawn into the story being told by a storyteller under the tent we saw earlier…we sit down, relax and listen. It’s a beautiful autumn night in Memphis and we agree that there is no other place we would rather be. I hope this “little trip” gives you just a glimpse of what Delta Fair & Music Festival is all about. We invite you to join us August 31st through September 9th, 2007 at the Agricenter and Grounds, Memphis, TN. For information concerning Delta Fair & Music Festival for the general public: Call (901) 867-7007 E-mail: info@DeltaFest.com Web site: www.DeltaFest.com