J.J. Fair Blog: Day Five - Healthy, what?

August 27, 2007

12:30 p.m.

Weather: Cloudy, cool, calm.

Parking spot: Purple people eaters.

Admission lines: Vacant.

Trail pace: Mine, all mine.

I got a tip from the State Fair web site that it was Healthy Living Day at the fair.

Confused, naturally, I looked a little deeper for information. Healthy? The fair?

Arriving at the seemingly empty parking lot, I expected to see nurses, people in veggie costumes or SOMETHING that advertised healthy living, but to no avail.

The Purple entrance at the fairgrounds was empty and I was reminded how nice the fair is without lines and screaming little heathens running around. All is quiet and I love it.

First stop, the information booth. The girl working is happy I'm asking her anything, cause she looks pretty bored.

She tells me all the Healthy Living Day stuff is beyond the white and red tent at the Yellow entrance. Well, no wonder.

I stroll towards the Pioneer Plaza where a man is singing about the fish he lost one day on the river. Two ladies stand and slurp their smoothies looking at this poor performer as if he had the chicken pocks.

I walk past the farm exhibits and further past the enormous barbecue that's shaped like a train. It boasts how it can grill up an entire pig. Healthy, indeed.

Just beyond the mammoth B-B-Q stands a lonely little white tent next to a propped up wooden sign that reads: 3 days of exercise, 5 fruits and veggies and 0 smoking.

This must be it, the Mat-Su Regional Hospital booth, promoters of Healthy Living Day.

I extinguish my cigarette and walk up to the gentleman in charge, who's handing out lime green and electric blue wrist bands, promoting a healthier lifestyle.

First question, where's the healthy food at the fair? He laughs nervously as if I'd just his age.

I knew the answer to this question, as I'd seen veggie wraps and salads at some of the vendor booths over the past week, I just want to hear him say it.

&#8220You have to dig, but there's good food to be found!” He boasts.

I'm partial to fair food that is dripping with grease and decide that when I'm done here I want a smoked salmon quesidilla with ranch dressing. Ranch goes with everything and is so delicious it deserves an entire booth devoted to it's rich goodness. It's probably the worst thing for you too.

The kind man from Mat-Su Regional is explaining the benefits of healthier living and I'm actually riveted. I need to listen, this is something I've been contemplating for a while now. Quit smoking, quit eating heart-palpatating inducers and begin working out.

Yes, this is what I'll do, start a healthier lifestyle and become a mall-walker, or something. I'm ready, let's do it!!

after the fair, of course. There's too many temptations for me on this island of sin, so today I'm taking Healthy Living Day seriously and having a deep-fried halibut sandwich, corn on the cob, a diet soda and dip-n-dots. Ta-da!

Did I mention I walked up and down the fair, for what felt like three miles? I can feel the pounds shedding already.

Contact J.J. Harrier at 352-2269 or valleylife@frontiersman.com.