State Fair/Lassiter's Mill

When the State Fair came to Raleigh, it was pretty close to the best time of the year for us. Of course it was nothing like it is today, but it was plenty for us. Back then, at the fair, there were all sorts of contests, as well as the rides, cotton candy, etc. We never worried about getting separated from each other in the crowds because everyone knew where to go, and to stay, until we were located. The Waterfall. The waterfall has long since been demolished, why I don't know; I think there are more buildings where it used to be.
There were different colored lights behind the falling water that constantly changed, making it look like a magical place. You could sit there and listen to the falls, watching the colors transform from one to another and almost go into a dreamlike stance. It was beautiful. Seems to me sometimes, that too many  beautiful things are removed from this planet. Reminds me of an old song, 'They Paved Paradise and Put up a Parking Lot'.

When the circus came to town, it was also held at the Fairgrounds. I remember one year, our dad came to take us to the circus; don't remember much about it except that he took us.
Little did I know, that many, many years later, my husband Harold and I would know those grounds by heart, working there year after year with our kids. What fun life is!
If I were to put the bad/sad times on a balancing scale with the good/fun times, the bad times would pop up and just diminish into the atmosphere.
 There were many places we loved to go to. Lassiter's Mill was one of them. We toured the Mill, we swam in the long creek bed there and jumped off the bridge into the water. A great place to have fun.
 When we reached the age of twelve or so, Mother would get us a summer pass to Hayes Barton swimming pool. We'd walk down there (about 8 blocks) and swim the afternoon away, walking back home thinking about food, all the way.

 We'd go to Devereaux Meadow ballpark, either to play or watch a baseball game. Sometimes, on Saturdays, we'd go to the all day movies at the Capitol Theater, depending on what was playing. Our favorites were the westerns or Tarzan. For a dime, we could get in, a nickel for a soda and the same for popcorn. The Ambassador Theater downtown is where I went to see the musicals when I was older, again, riding the bus or walking.
 Photo above: Old Lassiter's Mill