The fair, some art, and the railroad

The Jasper County Fair officially opened on Saturday night. The carnival rides had not arrived at opening and were still not set up on Sunday night. However, on Sunday the magician who rides an old bike was entertaining people. It seemed that getting onto the bike was quite a feat in itself.

On Saturday I took some grandkids to see the animals. They enjoyed the variety.

The retired iron building has more tractors this year than in the past. One that I thought strange is below. I asked about it and was told that it was used in orchards. The fenders over the wheels was to protect tree branches.

Sunday was supposed to be cooler than Saturday because a front was passing through. The front came through later than forecast, so the day started very hot and muggy, and then mid afternoon we got heavy rain. Fair attendance was undoubtedly affected.

In the evening three of the actors who portrayed people in last year's Weston cemetery walk performed. Below are the modern incarnations of George Spitler, Mary Makeever, and David Nowels. This year's cemetery walk will be on September 21. Last year the availability of golf carts to help those who have difficulty walking was not well advertised and there were some people who would have attended if they had known carts were provided. This year cart capacity has been increased—there will be room for up to 40 people who are mobility impaired.

Below is what the mural on the side of Janet's Kitchen looked like on Saturday and Sunday nights. 

The Rensselaer Parks will have another round of trash-can decorating on July 31 at 5:30. Some of the cans from the first round that were nicely done.

Maybe some of the second round can be their equal.

Late last week work continued on rail replacement through Rensselaer. On Friday a tamper was smoothing the tracks.

Early Saturday morning the crossings at Jefferson Street and Cullen Street were paved but the road-closed signs were still in place. Shortly after I took the picture below the crossing was opened to traffic.

Below is a picture of the old way of joining rail sections. There is a small gap that gives trains the clickety-clack sound. With the new continuous weld rails, there will be no clickety clack.

Enjoy the cooler weather and have fun at the fair.