October 2011. From the humble surroundings of that first event a century ago, the Washington Parish Free Fair has grown into the largest event of its kind in the nation.

By now, the yards and porches are decorated with scarecrows and cornstalks and blazing clumps of red and gold mums. Children are adding the last dabs of glitter to their artwork. The RVers have begun trickling into their usual spots in the shady campgrounds. Show calves are being groomed. Guest beds are being fitted with fresh linens for faraway family members. Tractor-trailers bearing disembodied dragon heads and gigundo fiberglass snowcones are rumbling through the streets. Every beauty shop in town is booked solid.

Don't ask us what the rest of the world does in October—we're too busy too notice. Here in Franklinton, there is really only one thing on anyone's mind: The Washington Parish Free Fair.

The Washington Parish Free Fair is famous for being North America's Largest Free Fair. The "largest" part refers to attendance over the four-day event, which takes place the third week of every October.  I have heard that, in some years, as many as 100,000 people from far and wide descend on our quaint town of just 4,000. (If nothing else, the fair is the only time we get to feel worldly enough to complain about traffic.) The "free" part, meanwhile, refers to the cost of admission. (Disclaimer: getting in may be free, but rest assured you will not get out quite so affordably, especially if you have kids.)

To say that the fair is a big deal to us locals would not do it justice. Around here, the fair is bigger than Christmas. Christmas is when we rest.

This year, North America's Largest Free Fair is an even larger deal than usual. It's the 100th anniversary of the first fair, which was held in a local livery stable (a barn where horses and carriages were kept) in 1911. It began as a simple harvest celebration, a rare opportunity for the hard-working farm folk of that time to socialize and make merry.

The fair is still the premier event of Franklinton's social season, but the merry-making has far surpassed the humble diversions its founders envisioned. Now there are carnival rides, rodeos, photo contests, parades, art exhibits, livestock competitions, commercial booths, homemaking displays, hog-callers, politicians (the only time I ever saw Gov. Bobby Jindal or Sen. Mary Landrieu up close), homemade crafts, non-stop stage entertainment (including a few big names),  fireworks, food vendors and a living pioneer village.

So forgive us if we're a little distracted in Franklinton this month. Company's coming and we've got to get ready!

Washington Parish Free Fair
October 18–22, 2011 in Franklinton, La
www.freefair.com

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