GEORGE AND I went to the Erie County Fair in Western New York today. Generally, it’s the same as the year before. The rides, the concessions, the fair games and the FOOD! Doesn’t everyone get to the age where you only go to the county fair to eat? Yes, you can play the games or go look at the livestock, even go to the 4H building to see who won ribbons this year but come on. The real reason you’re there is for the FOOD!

Granted, I can get pizza and Italian sausage anyplace but let’s not forget the cannoli. After walking in and out of all the exhibits and watching the Erie County Police demonstrate what their K-9 pals can do we decided to get something to eat.

Let me tell you there’s a science to this. You have to peruse all the food kiosks to find that one that sells the best French fries. I knew it was around here someplace. Was it this one . . . no. It was near the place that sold corn dogs. Yes, there it is. Okay, all set with the fries, now the panini. We travel up and down the fairway until we found the one and only best panini at the fair. For those interested in tasting it, it was called Chicken in the grass. Chicken, provolone cheese, garlic spread and spinach. It was very good!

Now to find a place to sit. Settling into a spot out of the sun we were treated to a traveling piano man. I’m not kidding. This guy had a piano on wheels that was motorized, and he sat there playing, wait for it . . . Piano Man by Billy Joel. See photos below.

We spent about 3 hours at the fair, which seemed like 6 hours. I guess I must be getting old. I could go from morning to night shopping at the mall, back in the day. Alas, my body isn’t what it used to be. All in all, it was a great afternoon, and we will do it again next year. To see the exhibits and the livestock and the vendors. Who am I kidding, it will be for the food.