Looking for the best indicator of Arkansas' political health? It may not be the usual political-science studies or commentaries like this one, but in something as basic as the gate receipts of the State Fair. And this year's won't set any records.
Ralph Shoptaw, the fair's general manager, says he expects a decrease in the number of people this year in the neighborhood of 4 percent. The rainy weather at the start of the fair didn't help, but the nice weather at the end did. The weather is still beyond man's control, thank goodness, or our species would probably screw up that imponderable, too. Some things rightly belong in the hands of a Higher Authority.
In the meantime, why not settle back and enjoy the show? Or even try to experience it with the wonder and joy of a toddler experiencing it for the first time? "She likes the helicopter more than anything," says Zaria Malik's dad, Zakaullah. They were both at the fair the other day. She's got the right idea, the little one does. For what's not to like? Safe in her mother's arms, little Zaria was clearly charmed. May we all be.
Folks had their choice of fair foods to check out--like cotton candy, turkey legs and gen-you-wine salt-water taffy. The Hines, Anthony and Yolanda, went again this year. (They told our reporter that they have been faithful fans of the fair since their courting days.) Politics may not last but true love does. And so does romance.
Susan and Don Kinney were there, too. Don, who's been going to the fair for decades, says the jumbo corn dogs are not to be missed while Susan is more a fan of the animal zoo. To each his own, so long as love conquers all.
Editorial on 10/26/2016