Today is the last day of the state fair. These photos were taken a week ago on a bright Sunday morning. The carnival atmosphere was in full swing but, the prize winning pigs and cattle were nowhere to be seen. They must have taken their ribbons and headed home. There were plenty of games, rides, fried food, and silly shows.
I think the silliest show I saw was something called the Banana Derby where monkeys served as jockeys riding on the back of dogs. (Click on the photo, it's worth a closer look.) There were two supposed races but, the dogs just sort of sauntered around the course never even breaking into a light trot. After the race, people queued up to have their picture taken with one of the monkeys at $10.00 a pop. That obviously, was the real money maker.
That's a silly race, no doubt. I don't like watching wild animals forced into that kind of show, but people allways make money out of anything...
ReplyDeleteI like the Memorial Hall building, as well as your books clean picture.
Fairs and festivals do tend to make paupers of visitors but still, such great fun! :D
ReplyDeleteSharon, I agree with jm's reservations about the use of wild animals in carnival shows, although I do not know anything about how the traveling "carnies" treat the animals in their state fair shows.
ReplyDeleteAnimals cared from properly in zoos or aquariums are beneficial in promoting education about animals and environmental awareness. I don't think that monkeys riding dogs serves that purpose.
The thrill of watching monkeys and other wild animals in their own habitat in the wild is exhilarating, and that is one of the reasons that people come to Costa Rica, as you know from your visit to our place.
In fact, I think I will post a photo this week on my site that you took on the wildlife viewing raft trip that you took with Julie when you visited.
That monkey and dog shot is certainly one of the most unique photos I've seen on CDP!
ReplyDeletethe monkeys riding the dogs shot is one of the wackiest photos i've seen.
ReplyDeleteI've seen that race before at a fair, and I remember some protestors say it was mean to the dogs...but not the monkeys.
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