Lift Off! – Blue Ribbon Winner Marin County Fair

County Fair Winners, Poems from the book Dragonfly Tomorrows & Dog-eared Yesterdays 0

Lift Off D.L. Lang Blue ribbon Marin County Fair

“Lift Off!” won a blue ribbon for First Place in Fair Themed Poetry. “Let the Funshine In!” was the 2017 theme for the Marin County Fair. As I was preparing my entries for county fairs this year, I wrote this poem to capture the magic of attending the fair which celebrates both long held traditions and new technology. County fair season has become one of my favorite yearly experiences. I am grateful to the 2017 Marin County Fair for awarding a blue ribbon to this poem. This year the my first year where I received a blue ribbon at the Marin fair. In fact, I received two, so please, after you read “Lift Off!” check out “The Sixties” as well.

 

Lift Off!

Mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons
romping around in the sweet summer sun,
gazing at paintings and sculptures that won,
and creating memories for years to come.

Faces erupting in huge, silly grins,
wrapped in the awe of experience,
exploring centuries old traditions,
and trying fascinating new inventions.

Preserving the artistry of yesterday,
quilting and canning is here to stay.
Decked out in ribbons of red and blue
farm animals happily call out to you.

Couples walk the fairgrounds hand in hand,
enjoying the notes flowing from the bandstand.
Fried food fragrance fills the air,
informing your nose that it’s at the fair.

Glowing rides illuminate the midway
as families unite in fun for a day.
Fireworks ignite a summertime sky,
as the Ferris wheel turns, oh, so high.

Kids try their luck at games of chance.
Winning toy prizes sparks a joyful dance.
Folks cheer loudly as the animals race.
There’s something so magic about this place.

Yes, it’s that amazing time of year again,
when you can let the fun shine in!
Why are you just standing there, son?
C’mon! Lift off! The fair has begun!

D.L. Lang is the current Poet Laureate of Vallejo, California. She is the author of ten books, and one spoken word album. Her poems have been published in the Benicia Herald, Jewish Journal, Poets Are Heroes Magazine, the Benicia First Tuesday Poets anthology Light & Shadow, and in A Poet’s Siddur: Friday Evening Liturgy through the Eyes of Poets. Lang has been a featured act at several events including the Vallejo Man March, Unity Day, Solidarity with Charlottesville, and International Peace Day. She is also a regular at Poetry by the Bay and leads the Poetry in Notion poetry circle. She has won ribbons and rosettes at the Alameda, Marin, San Mateo, and Solano County Fairs. Her poems have been transformed into songs, liturgy, and used as a means to advocate for causes.
About D.L. Lang 58 Articles
D.L. Lang is the current Poet Laureate of Vallejo, California. She is the author of ten books, and one spoken word album. Her poems have been published in the Benicia Herald, Jewish Journal, Poets Are Heroes Magazine, the Benicia First Tuesday Poets anthology Light & Shadow, and in A Poet’s Siddur: Friday Evening Liturgy through the Eyes of Poets. Lang has been a featured act at several events including the Vallejo Man March, Unity Day, Solidarity with Charlottesville, and International Peace Day. She is also a regular at Poetry by the Bay and leads the Poetry in Notion poetry circle. She has won ribbons and rosettes at the Alameda, Marin, San Mateo, and Solano County Fairs. Her poems have been transformed into songs, liturgy, and used as a means to advocate for causes.