CONGRATULATIONS to our WINNER, Christina Arrostuto of Auburn, CA!

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Here's her winning memory:

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"In 1965 the Solano County Fair was the most-anticipated event of any kid’s summer. The Exposition Hall, with fresh-pulled taffy, homemade ice cream bars dipped in chocolate and nuts, elbow to elbow with magic crystals, leather goods and pots-and-pan vendors. The Flower Show, Art Exhibit, McCormack Hall’s quilts and jellies, the 4-H livestock, the Rodeo, the gemstones, and oh! the Midway! Bright lights and exhilarating rides, corn dogs and cotton candy washed down with fresh-squeezed lemonade. 

 

Unfortunately I broke my arm the day after school let out, so no Tilt-a-Whirl, Ferris Wheel or bumper cars for me. At age 12, this was a big let-down. Nevertheless, my three siblings and I were deposited by Mom at the Fair gates on a bright Kids Day morning, with instructions to buy a ticket for the Lilac Steer Auction, and with pocket money for ride tickets and delicacies like Steak-on-a-Stake and funnel cakes.

 

I trailed after my older sister and younger brother and sister, growing more and more disconsolate as they enjoyed the rides on the Midway. Hmmm. I realized that my ride money added up to a BUNCH of dimes, which could be pitched for glassware, goldfish and stuffed animals hawked by the carnival barkers that lined the Midway paths. My throwing arm was intact, so I soon had a substantial haul, including several glasses, bowls and platters I thought would be great gifts for Mom. 

 

Suddenly I heard a commotion and my name being called down the Midway. Lugging the heavy bag of clinking glass, I raced down the path to find a small crowd gathering in front of the House of Mirrors. My poor brother, practically hysterical, was trapped inside and was banging on the front of the trailer, while my sisters watched helplessly. I dropped the bag, ran up the steps, groped my way to my brother and led him out, to the cheers of the crowd. 

 

By the time we got back to my sisters, the gawkers had moved on. The four of us were alone amid the swirl of humanity, color and noise of the Midway. As I retrieved my bag, we heard an ominous clinking sound. I looked inside. In my haste to “save” my brother, I’d broken pretty much all of my winnings. 

 

Our disappointment was soon forgotten as we pooled our remaining coins for a last Fair snack of hot dogs and Sno-cones. I looked forward to the Solano County Fair every year of my childhood, but that year in particular entered the family lexicon as the year I broke my brother out of 'mirror jail.'"

 

Christina Arrostuto, 69, of Auburn, CA