"Oh, what a beautiful day for the fair," said the brightly colored pair of socks. "I wonder what we'll see."

If it sounds like I might have lost IT and am a bit more loony that usual, well you might be right. But it won't stop those socks from telling their story. Nothing will stop the socks.

It'll be another scorcher of a day here in Texas, claimed the radio announcer. Expect a high of 102° F and the Air Quality is level 'orange'.

But this didn't mattered to the brightly colored socks. Not even environmental and health concerns due to the dwindling ozone layer could discourage this pair. No, they had been planning for far too long this trip to Fair Park, and today was their day!

"Wake up! Wake up!", exclaimed left sock. "What an exciting day!"

"Come on!", said the right sock. "We need to get our bath." And with that, both socks jumped into the temperate water.

"No splashing!", scolded the right sock. "We don't want to be fulled for our day at the park."

"No way", said lefty. So they quietly soaked and soaked, whispering adventures and plans for the day to each other. Oh what fun they'll have.

Finally, it was time to get out of the bath. "Is it time yet? Can we go to the park?", questioned righty. Left sock chimed in, "Can we go? Can we go?"

Before we go you need to dry, socks. You want to look great for Fair Park, right? The socks conceded and were shooed outside to dry on their blockers in the sun.

Clinging to the wire blockers, the socks conformed to the well-shaped feet. Tiny double-pointed needles picked up their picot edges and held them aloft. The bath left them soft and clean; the curve in their pattern showing off the fun colors.

"You look GREAT!", said left sock to right. "YOU look great!", replied righty.

You both look great. I'm so very proud of you both. The socks beamed. Now are you ready to go?

The pair of socks shouted with excitement how very ready they were to go, indeed.

"Don't forget our paperwork.", said right sock.

"Do we have the map?", questioned left sock. "We don't want to get lost. That would be sad."

We double and triple check the map and their paperwork. It's all here, I say. Are we ready to go? I am just as excited as the socks to go to Fair Park.

The ride down to Fair Park is uneventful. We glide through traffic and construction with ease. Excitement builds as we spy the downtown skyline and whip through the mix-master. "Ooh, what yucky traffic", says right sock. Left sock agrees, "and what shitty signage. Jeez!"

After a quick scolding about how this is a nice family blog, and how 'I will turn this car right back around, mister!' if they don't watch what they say, we're back on track and exiting the highways. The excitement for Fair Park returns along with a happier attitude adjustment.

"Lookie!", exclaims lefty. "Fair Park!"

"We're here!", squeaks righty. "There's the sign."

And sure enough, there was the sign. Not for Fair Park, although that sign was spotted, too. No, the sign was for something bigger, something more important. The sign was for the State Fair of Texas.

The state fair is still a month or so away, but that is why we have come today. We quickly find the Creative Arts building, and catch our collective breaths before we go in.

"Are we sure this is the place?", asks righty in a hushed tone.

"Look at all the handmade stuff.", lefty says with awe. "Are you sure we belong here?"

I take a moment to reassure both the socks and myself. Piles of handmade goods sit on tables that line the walls. The friendly faces of the volunteers sit at stations around the room, accepting crafts and projects which the maker hopes will be good enough, if not the best.

It is intimidating, I whisper.

I walk up to section I, Needlework and Sewing, at which sits three very nice ladies. They confirm my entry and accept our paperwork. For a moment, I hold on to the socks, wishing them the best and knowing that they did well.

Then they're gone. Into the pile of hand knit objects of original design. And we're back out into the bright sunshine.

It's up to the judges now. I say to Matt, as we head out into Fair Park.

Catch up with the socks for the rest of their adventures at the state fair in September, when we all find out what the judges thought. Will they show or won't they?

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