There is nothing like it: our Oakland County Fair!  It's a  lively mix of agricultural and farm events and 4-H kids beaming with pride. You will find serious livestock auctions and wilder side carnival rides. It's a place to spy on cows in labor, cheer on racing pigs, and watch horse shows, grandstand events, monster trucks and even view diaper derbys and pickle eating contests.  Of course the first rate burping contest has returned. Don't forget the  MSU extension programs including great info on weather and storms! And for people watching--this place is full of  humans of all sorts wandering about. Watch them wander and talk and eat, but remember --others are watching you and your ways and antics as you trek the fair grounds! And of course the fair grounds  are the new home of historic Ellis Barn. Look up under the barn  rafters and you may spot  swallows looking down at fair madness!  For details on the fair and all the events go to http://www.oakfair.org/. but here is the bottom line: Fair runs from July 13th through the 18th and its $10 per vehicle or $5 per walk in. Location: Springfield Oaks County Park at 12451 Andersonville Road in Davisburg.  Go there on July 13th and you just may find me ( I am an emergency room paramedic and an active member of the Wilderness Medical Society when not trekking woods and wilds or scribbling words for editors) with the fair medic/first aid team from Brandon Fire. And yes, that is me getting cozy with the goats at last year's fair.