Last week we attended the Union County Fair for Kiwanis barbeque sandwiches, lemon shake ups, and harness races. When we were first married, the races went on for two or three afternoons. My in-laws had box seats in the grandstand and it was always a fun afternoon. Like so many wonderful activities, the harness races have dwindled in popularity. Last year they did not have a single race. This year they had one afternoon with seven races.
A couple of the races were only three horse affairs and the horses clearly hadn’t raced for real very much with one coming up in each race at the very very end, long after the one and two place horses crossed the line. The last three races though came down to the wire. You could even pick winners for your chance a ten dollar prize. We didn’t do that but only picked among ourselves – my husband, his sister, her husband and me. It was wonderful fun after so long an absence from the track.
When we got home I searched for a picture I knew that I had. This is it.
This is in the late sixties and it is Daddy driving Roddy Mac in his “silks” an all white outfit. We spent several summers going to county fairs all over Wisconsin and Illinois and Iowa while Daddy drove Roddy Mac or Spendthrift, our other horse, in the races. We didn’t get to see him in every race, but if Mother could haul us over for the race, because it was close and we could get home that night, we went.
My sister Lori and I got to go out to the track and exercise the horses. We quickly learned how to put on the harness and attach the sulky, much to the amazement of the old men who seemed to live out at the barns on the fair grounds. Especially since Spendthrift was supposed to be an outlaw horse. He was never anything but sweet to the little girls who brought him carrots and that he pulled around the track. We decided he must have been badly treated at some point and it made him behave badly, like an outlaw. Daddy got the horses as payment on veterinary bills. They never won a race, but they helped make the summer vacation and weekends in the fall after school started a little more exciting.
It was wonderful to be with family and out to the races- despite the heat. Most of all, I enjoyed pacing down memory lane!
I enjoy your writing so much. I could imagine how things looked even without the photo. I’m enjoying memory lane with you Kim.
A fun day! I love learning these little tidbits of your life Kim. Thanks for sharing.
Loved your memory Kim! That picture is a favorite of mine. Thanks for sharing!
What fun! Love to remember childhood memories and so special to experience them again!
What wonderful memories! Thank you for sharing with us. I can always picture myself tagging along with you as you walk down memory lane. Love your blog!