Monday, September 10, 2007 - Down on the Farm at the Fair

Today we had a field trip to the TVA&I fair... They host a special couple of days every year where students can take field trips and learn about agriculture, animals, and farm products... So this year my family and some other HS families took the trip...The tour was great... There were several different animals and we learned about each and their role in our environment including what each contributes to our lives...  The had some sheep and showed the shearings and had a girl using a spinning wheel..and we learned that the lanolin found in most lotions is from them also... (which I was completely unaware of)...

There were chickens that the children got to touch and a young heifer that the kids learned about and a pretend cow that they got to "milk"... There was a station with corn, soybeans and wheat... The gentleman at this station discussed the effects of the drought that we have had this year on the production...There was a lady with some bees (perfect for a leap into the "Bee Tree") and she showed the kids the queen and talked about how they produce their honey and that they remove larvae that is sicl or dying... and their was also bunnies (ny DD's favorite) and the final exhibit of our tour was a bull (which no one touched) and the kids were told all about beef and the leather products that came from this animal.

From here we ventured to the East TN Children's Discovery Center...(which was free admission with the fair entrance) .

Here the kids had a blast pretending to be astronauts on the space shuttle and playing with the Lego table and doing all the "kid friendly" science activities they had and the highlight was seeing a show in the planetarium... My DS was fascinated by learning about what other countries and cultures call the "Big Dipper"...

Then we hung out for awile just taking in the sights and scenes, as the rest of our party had left... We waited on DH to get there to spend the evening with us.. The kids go to ride a couple of rides... We tasted different flavors of honey... (everything from peppermint to blackberry)... and then watched the Anastatini Circus... (which to be small and part of the fair was excellent)...

and the highlight of my evening (not including the wonderful corn dogs or the funnel cake I ate) was the concert with "Night Ranger".. a flashback to my teenage years and the hairbands of the 80's...

My DD played air guitar (where she learned to do it at 4yo, I will never know) while my DS just wanted to play video games... It was great!! DH and I were pleased we had stayed the day and took advantage of all the fair had to offer in way of fun and the kids are already planning our trip there next year!!!