Day 344: The Puyallup Fair is now officially the Washington State Fair, and naturally, some change was bound to occur to accompany the "rebranding." The last several years' disturbing trend toward catering to commercial vendors is even more pronounced, but in one way, it has had a good effect on the Fair overall, at least in this viewer's opinion. The enormous Showplex building which once was shared by Grange displays, the Sheep-to-Shawl demonstration, flower exhibits, honey farmers and various purveyors of things no one really needs is now entirely devoted to the latter, making it easy to pass by without a glance. The carefully wrought artworks of vegetables and fruit, giant pumpkins, massed dahlias and bonsai now have a building all their own, a more cramped space perhaps, but at least one which is tied together by the theme of cultivation. The Granges' panoramic creations are better lighted than they were in the forgotten corner of the Showplex, and ranks of single stems of flowers in simple vases give an open, airy feel to the building which the claustrophobic confines of the Showplex contrast radically. Visitors no longer need to elbow their way through rude crowds ogling hot tubs, pan scrubbers, cosmetics guaranteed to take twenty years off your face, air purifiers, magnetic bracelets, cutlery sets, dog-grooming tools and glow-in-the-dark beer glasses to reach the prize-winning pumpkin of the season. If you want electric hair straighteners, foot rollers, kitschy ceramics, a gutter brush or cheaper car insurance, the 'Plex is your place, but you'll find me down among the kohlrabi, admiring the farmers' finest products and taking pleasure in the treats afforded by a good old-fashioned county fair.
