Summary

Erika Burkhalter shares her vibrant experiences and captures the essence of the Orange County Fair through photography and narrative, highlighting the fair's lively atmosphere, her personal achievements, and the sensory delights that define this annual event.

Abstract

Erika Burkhalter's visit to the Orange County Fair is a sensory journey that comes alive through her descriptive storytelling and evocative photography. The fair is a whirlwind of color, motion, and sound, with attractions like the Ferris wheel, thrilling rides, and the unique sight of racing pigs. Burkhalter's personal connection to the fair is evident as she proudly showcases her award-winning photograph displayed in the Photography Gallery. The fair's allure is further depicted through the vivid imagery of fried Oreos, funnel cakes, and oversized stuffed animals, capturing the essence of fairground culture. Her experience culminates with the breathtaking view from the giant Ferris wheel, overlooking the fairgrounds and surrounding areas. Burkhalter's multifaceted talents as a yogi, neurophilosopher, and photographer are reflected in her ability to convey the magic and nostalgia of the fair.

Opinions

Burkhalter has a deep affection for the Orange County Fair, as evidenced by her excitement about her photograph being displayed in the Photography Gallery.
The fair is portrayed as a place of wonder and nostalgia, with its vibrant colors, sounds, and smells evoking childhood memories and a sense of joy.
The author seems to appreciate the fair's diverse offerings, from the thrill of the rides to the quirky attractions like the Hip Hypnotist and Alaskan racing pigs.
There is a sense of pride in her work, particularly in her "Judges Award" and "Honorable Mention" for her photograph "Eugenia Likes to Play with Water Droplets."
Burkhalter values the community aspect of the fair, as seen in her reminiscence about her boyfriend winning her a stuffed unicorn in her teenage years.
The fair's food vendors, offering items like fried Oreos and funnel cakes, are seen as an integral part of the fair experience, adding to the festive atmosphere.
She acknowledges the fair's ability to appeal to all ages, with attractions ranging from kiddy rides to the giant Ferris wheel that offers a stunning view of the entire fairgrounds.
Burkhalter encourages readers to support the arts and writing by subscribing to her stories and considering a Medium membership, indicating her commitment to and appreciation for the creative community on the platform.
She is open to selling her photography, suggesting a dedication to her craft and a desire to share her work with a wider audience.

View from the Big Ferris Wheel. Photo ©Erika Burkhalter

Travel, Photography

The Colors of the Orange County Fair

A vibrant evening

Alaskan racing pigs, The Hip Hypnotist, Ferris wheels, crazy rides, the smell of cotton candy — these are the sights, sounds and smells that come to my mind when I think about the Orange County Fair.

It has been a few years since we ventured out to the fair, but I have a photo up on the wall of the Photography Gallery this year (my “Eugenia Likes to Play with Water Droplets” won a “Judges Award” and an “Honorable Mention”) and I wanted to see it hanging there amidst all of the other finalists. It has been a dream of mine to have a photo up on those hallowed walls for years.

So, on Thursday (we thought it would be a bit calmer than on a weekend) we put on our walking shoes and headed to the fairgrounds.

Fairs, at nighttime, just pop with hypnotic colors. First up was the Ferris wheel — the small one. I’ve always loved the views from up there in the sky and the baskets on the little Ferris wheel are open to the air.

The little Ferris wheel. Photo ©Erika Burkhalter

My honey and me on the Ferris Wheel. Photo ©Erika Burkhalter

The motion, the colors, the sounds of chatter and the screams of people on rides, like the one below, where people go upside down….

Yes, they are twirling and going upside down. Photo ©Erika Burkhalter

And did I mention that there were aliens?

There are aliens among us. Photo ©Erika Burkhalter

And kiddy rides with drummers and psychedelic snails….

Colorful “kiddy ride.” Photo ©Erika Burkhalter

And — I have never tried this, but it could be good — fried Oreos.

And funnel cakes.

I’ve seen these every year, and they look yummy. Photo ©Erika Burkhalter

And, all the way across the fairgrounds, is the giant Ferris Wheel. It looms larger than life over the stalls of overstuffed toys. I remember being a teenager, and my boyfriend won me a stuffed unicorn. The stuffed animals from these days seem like they are about 300 percent bigger than back then.

The giant Ferris wheel. Photo ©Erika Burkhalter

The view from the top of this behemoth is the first photo in this piece. You can see the whole fairgrounds and beyond from there.

Erika Burkhalter is a yogi, neurophilosopher, cat-mom, photographer, and lover of travel and nature, spreading her love and amazement for Mother Earth’s glories, one photo, poem or story at a time. (MS Neuropsychology, MA Yoga Studies).

Eugenia Won a “Judges Choice” and an “Honorable Mention at the Orange County Fair

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