"We're giving away 20, four-month subscriptions to the paper," I said to a couple walking by the Austin Daily Herald booth at the fair last week.

The man kept walking, the woman turned her head slightly, and mumbled "no thank you."

It's strange being on the other end of the table.

No matter, though. I do the same thing when I pass booths at the fair. Many people don't go to the fair to buy much of anything (unless it's food, of course).

In fact, everyone goes to the fair for a different reason. This year I mostly went for work, either meeting people at the booth or covering a story.

When I was a kid, attending the county fair was all about going on the rides.

The day I knew my parents were buying me a ride bracelet, I looked outside as soon as I got up to make sure it wasn't raining. If it was, the fair was pretty much ruined for me.

For others, it's about supporting local causes. There were many non-profit organizations at booths at the fair. Even kids could contribute to the Salvation Army and get a discount on their ride bracelet if they brought in some non-perishable food items.

Others helped fund raisers like the Wescott Field Project.

While Austin police Capt. Curt Rude was sitting on its dunk tank Sunday afternoon, a teenage boy announced, "I'm going to get the cop."

Rude responded, "I don't think you're man enough."

BAM! The boy hit the target the on the first throw and Rude fell into the water.

But it was all in good fun and for a good cause.

Little things like that make the fair enjoyable.

Like when our own Dee Quam agreed to strap herself into the bungee trampoline after she had lost a bet with our circulation director.

Dee told him that if he sold 50 subscriptions at the fair, she would go on the bungee ride.

She got the call Friday night.

On Sunday she took a break from her shift at the booth and she and her granddaughter flew high into the sky, much to the amazement of the small gathering of people below.

Everyone shouted at her to do a flip, but she shot that request down immediately.

But the part almost everyone enjoys about the fair is running into people they know.

4-H alumni and parents enjoyed reminiscing at the centennial celebration Friday. Everywhere at the fair, people were stopping to chat with old friends or co-workers.

Although the Mower County Fair isn't like that for me (at least not until I get to know more people), it certainly has been that way when I attend the Steele County Fair in my hometown.

At the opening night of the fair, you can't walk two feet without running into someone you know. And of course you have to stop and talk for awhile.

Last night was the opening night of the Steele County Fair and the first time I've missed it. Last Friday, a friend from high school who now lives in Florida, called me. He said he'll be in town this week and the first thing he brought up was the fair.

"I haven't been to the Steele County Fair in two years," he said.

And what better place to meet up with old friends. Even though I have to work Saturday, I'll head up there just to catch up with him when he's there Friday.

And I'll head back Saturday night to meet up with other high school friends I haven't seen since last year's fair.

County fairs are one of the few places where everyone can find something that interests them. Those interests can range from food to exhibits to shows. Or just reconnecting with old friends.

For me, that's what the fair is all about.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at :mailto:cari.quam@austindailyherald.com