We love hearing how folks from all over find inspiration, practical advice, and community through our publications and our Fairs. Enjoy this story from a longtime reader and MOTHER EARTH NEWS fair-goer, and perhaps we’ll see you at our next Fair! – Mother
Years ago, when I first started farming, I discovered MOTHER EARTH NEWS magazine. I always found the articles interesting but not always pertinent to my activities at the time. As time went on and my life changed, I stopped reading MOTHER EARTH NEWS. But around 2000, I saw a copy on the newsstand, and after purchasing it and reading it cover-to-cover, I decided to subscribe again.
Fast-forward to 2016. I’d retired and decided to travel from Pennsylvania to California via Route 6. I purchased a camper to hitch to my pickup truck and headed out. Because I had no time frame, I was game for side trips and adventures along the way. While reading my MOTHER EARTH NEWS magazine, I discovered Mother was hosting in-person Fairs. There was to be one in Wisconsin, and because I was still east of there, I decided, “Why not give it a try?”
Attending the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fair
After purchasing tickets for the weekend and finding a campsite, I wound my way to Wisconsin. Saturday morning, I was near the front of the line at open time with my pass in hand. I found the number of booths and speakers truly impressive, and as I wandered around, I was able to catch part of a workshop on building a log cabin from the ground up. I was impressed by the lecturer’s ability to explain technical terms to beginner carpenters without boring the professionals. There was plenty of reference material available for the beginner and plenty of technical advice for the professional.
From speaker to speaker and booth to booth, I met knowledgeable, friendly folks who were excited to share their passions. The bookstore was loaded with reference material on just about any subject a homesteader or person interested in sustainable living could want. Whether someone lived in the city or country; in a swamp or desert; or in the North, South, East, or West, there was plenty to interest everyone at any age.
I left Wisconsin determined to attend more MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fairs. Over the next year or two, I was at Fairs in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Texas, Oregon, and Kansas. I visited several locations more than once. Often, I’d meet the same presenters at different sites and was always happy to visit with past acquaintances.
2023 Fair in Lawrence, Kansas
Once again, life caught up with me, and I let my subscription to MOTHER EARTH NEWS lapse as I moved from Pennsylvania to Nebraska (never making it to California). As the dust settled, I decided to again subscribe to MOTHER EARTH NEWS. To my surprise, the Fairs had been on hiatus during the pandemic but were being rescheduled. I’d missed the one in Texas, but the next one was in Lawrence, Kansas. I wasted no time purchasing tickets and booking a camper spot in the nearby state park. This time, I also talked my cousin into joining me. She lives in Missouri, and our travel distances were close to equal.
Saturday morning, we arrived at the fairgrounds to discover the parking lot packed. Even so, with cars in front of us and more behind, we were able to find a parking spot, and I was pleasantly surprised to find the venue was able to comfortably accommodate the large number of attendees.
There were new workshops and exhibitors, but I was happy to see some of my old acquaintances there too. Not expecting to be recognized after all these years, I was thrilled when one of the presenters I’d talked with at several Fairs remembered me.
I didn’t waste any time and jumped into several presentations during that weekend. For years, I’ve been interested in raising bees and enjoying honey from my own hives. MOTHER EARTH NEWS magazine had printed many informative articles about several methods of beekeeping. At the Fairs, however, the workshops were able to provide more in-depth information. I had attended several of these workshops over the course of my fairgoing. Because I wasn’t ready to start any hives at that time, I had listened to others’ questions, made mental notes, and brought home any information available from the presenters. But on Sunday at the Lawrence Fair, I left with everything needed to start a horizontal hive.
Shopping at the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fair
My cousin and I also did a bit of shopping. I’ve kept chickens for years. Normally, I buy chicks from the local feed store, but on occasion, I end up with a rooster. I’ve also hatched a few eggs, both naturally and with an incubator. Right now, I have some hens, an incubator, and no rooster, so I was able to purchase some fertile eggs at the Fair. My cousin lives in the suburbs and not on a farm like I do. At the Fair, she investigated many sustainable products usable in her everyday life. Leaving the grounds on Sunday, her car was packed with a rake, honey, T-shirts, candy, pretzels, freeze-dried snacks, and myriad other items.
While walking through the MOTHER EARTH NEWS bookstore on Saturday, I saw impressive stacks of books. They dwindled to just a few books or disappeared altogether by Sunday. Piles of hand tools and kitchen gadgets met the same fate. Groups of strangers, ranging in age from children to folks in their 70s and 80s (and probably older), stood around exchanging life stories and experiences while making new friends. The Lawrence Fair was just as exciting as the ones I’d attended years ago.
There will be upcoming Fairs in Erie, Pennsylvania, and West Bend, Wisconsin, and I’m looking forward to attending — and I may be able to bring along even more family members next time.
Come visit your Mother at our last two Fairs of 2023: Erie, Pennsylvania, and West Bend, Wisconsin! Register for the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fair now. — Mother
