THIS IS AMERICA - Agricultural Fairs

THIS IS AMERICA - September 16, 2002: Agricultural Fairs

By George Grow
13 Sep 2002, 20:32 UTC

VOICE ONE:

Every year in summer and early autumn, more than one-hundred-million people visit agricultural fairs in the
United States. I’m Mary Tillotson.

VOICE TWO:

And I’m Steve Ember. This celebration of America’s agricultural past is our
report today on the VOA Special English program, THIS IS AMERICA.

(THEME)

VOICE ONE:

People can do many things at an agricultural fair. They can see animals racing¹. They
can see sheep getting their wool cut. They can watch cows being milked. They can
watch horses jumping like great Olympic competitors. Visitors also can look at new
home products or farm equipment. They can see products made by people who live on farms.

Children and adults can go on rides that go very fast or travel high above the fair grounds. They can play games
of skill. They can listen to people play and sing all kinds of music. Or, people can just walk around the
fairgrounds and eat tasty food.

VOICE TWO:

It is easy to find an agricultural fair to attend. Almost all fifty American states have a state fair. Parts of states
called counties² also have fairs. They take place in August, September or October each year. They last for one,
two or three weeks. Agricultural fairs help Americans remember their nation’s history. One-hundred years ago,
most Americans lived outside cities in farm areas. Today, more than eighty percent of the population live and
work in city areas. Many people learn about animals they would never see except at agricultural fairs. Experts say
such fairs are important because people need to remember that they are connected to the Earth and its products.
They say people need to remember that they depend on animals for many things.

VOICE ONE:

Some people say you are not at a real fair unless you can smell the animals. Most fairs have competitions for the
best farm animals. More than ten-thousand animals compete for awards at the biggest state fairs. People who live
on farms raise the animals. People whose animals win prizes can sell them for a lot of money. Young winners
sometimes use the money to go to college.

Many children and young people whose animals compete at state and county³ fairs belong to a group called the
Four-H Clubs of America. The expression Four-H means head, heart, hands and health.

Four-H offers the largest unofficial education program in the United States. About five-million young people take
part in activities organized by the group. Many of them take part in projects like raising and caring for a cow, pig
or other animal.

VOICE TWO:

Many Four-H members and their animals took part in the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair last month. The
fair was held in Gaithersburg, Maryland, near Washington, D-C.

The Sandwich, Illinois, fair
has re-established an old
contest: draft⁴ horse pulling.
(Photo -Michael
Maroscia/Library of Congress)

Montgomery County
Agricultural Fair
ribbon
In one building, Four-H members prepared their dairy⁵ goats for judging. The goats were entered in milk
production competitions. The physical condition of an animal often shows how long it will be healthy and
produce large amounts of milk. Goat producers use this information to help improve the physical condition and
health of future animals.

((MUSIC BRIDGE))

VOICE ONE:

Visitors to a state or county fair should arrive hungry. Food is as important as animals at
these fairs. Thousands of people take part in competitions to prepare the best foods. For
example, baked goods such as cakes and pies are judged and sold at these events.

Farm families sell breads made at home. They also make sweet jams and jellies⁶ to put on
the breads. These jams and jellies are made from apples, berries⁷, oranges or other fruits.

VOICE TWO:

Many others kinds of food are sold at state and county fairs. One popular food is the corn dog. It is a hot dog on a
wooden stick. It is covered with cornmeal and then cooked in hot oil. Another popular food also cooked in hot oil
is called a funnel⁸ cake. However, it is really a kind of bread.

Cotton candy sold at fairs is especially popular with children. It is made of sugar that is spun⁹ very fast. Then the
spun sugar is gathered around a paper stick. Cotton candy looks like a big pink cloud of cotton. Children always
seem to get it in their hair.

((MUSIC BRIDGE))

VOICE ONE:

Modern American fairs probably developed from fairs that began in the early nineteenth century. Some historians¹⁰
say a man named Elijah Watson first had the idea for a state fair in the United States. He organized a small sheep
demonstration¹¹ in Pittsfield, Massachusetts in eighteen-oh-seven.

Other people say New Jersey¹² and New York held the first state fairs in the eighteen-forties. Other early state fairs
were held in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

VOICE TWO:

Today, the New York State Fair in Syracuse is the biggest one in the northeastern part of the United States. Last
year, more than one-million people visited that fair. This summer, the fair showed the best of New York state’s
agriculture, education, industry, technology and entertainment. There were also water shows with sea lions and
sharks. And there were car races. The New York State Fair also had an Iroquois Indian village to show how
Native Americans lived in the state long ago. In the evenings, there were performances by famous singers and
groups.

However, the largest state in the United States also has the largest state fair. The Texas State Fair in Dallas starts
next week and continues for more than three weeks. There will be more than sixty rides for adults and children.
There will also be a small farm for children. Visitors will be able to watch a college football game. Every night,
there will be a huge show of fireworks, water, music and light. And every night there will be a parade. Visitors
also will be able to attend a two-day Big Tex Music Festival.

((MUSIC BRIDGE))

VOICE ONE:

State and county fairs are important to many Americans. They provide many kinds of information. Farm families
teach visitors about their way of life. Political candidates¹³ often attend state and county fairs to speak directly to
American voters.


Businesses use fairs to sell products or services. Many businesses and government agencies¹⁴ were represented at
the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair. In one small area, for example, visitors could buy sweet foods,
playthings for children and objects for the home. They also could find people interested in talking about
Christianity, local history and farming.

One area offered many publications¹⁵ from the Maryland Department of Agriculture. For example, the publications
described how to use fertilizers¹⁶ safely or how to raise horses.

VOICE TWO:

Visitors to the Montgomery County Fair had many other activities to choose from. There were animal shows with
live tigers. For something a little more traditional, boys and girls could ride on young horses. The children also
could feed other farm animals, including a llama and a pot-bellied pig. Nearby, children and adults enjoyed a
performance by Chinese acrobats¹⁷. The acrobats demonstrated¹⁸ unusual skill at balancing objects spinning on
sticks.

People of all ages visited an exhibit¹⁹ called the Great American Railway. Model trains may be only a few
centimeters high, but many look real. Several model trains traveled in a big circle through a series of make-
believe mountains, rivers and towns. The exhibit included a small version²⁰ of the fairgrounds, complete with small
rides and animals.

VOICE ONE:

Some non-profit groups raised money at the Montgomery County Fair. Habitat for Humanity²¹, for example, sold
chances to win a prize. The winning ticket was chosen on the final day of the fair. Any additional²² money raised
will help the group in its efforts to build houses for poor people.

As night arrived, many visitors began to feel tired. Some were happy to sit and watch a show in the grandstand
area. On some nights, country music singers performed. On other nights, there were bull-riding competitions and
demonstrations²³ of powerful farm equipment. The crowds also enjoyed three nights of “demolition²⁴ derbies.
”
Tired but happy people cheered wildly as they watched cars crash into each other. As the day ended, people of all
ages seemed to enjoy their time at the county fair.

(THEME)

VOICE TWO:

This program was written by George Grow. It was produced by Caty Weaver²⁵. I’m Steve Ember.

VOICE ONE:

And I’m Mary Tillotson. Join us again next week for another program about life in the United States on the
VOA Special English program, THIS IS AMERICA.

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1 racing   

n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的

参考例句：

• I was watching the racing on television last night.昨晚我在电视上看赛马。
• The two racing drivers fenced for a chance to gain the lead.两个赛车手伺机竞相领先。

2 counties   

郡，县( county的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The deposits spread for 100 kilometers across four counties. 这些矿藏绵延一百公里，跨越四个县。
• The Jinggang Mountains stand where the boundaries of four counties meet. 井冈山位于四县之交。

3 county   

n.县，郡

参考例句：

• When the good news reached there,the whole county rejoiced.喜讯传到那里时，全县的人都欢欣鼓舞起来。
• In that year county after county fell to the enemy.那一年一个又一个的县城沦入敌人手中。

4 draft   

vt.起草，作...的草稿；n.草稿，草图，草案

参考例句：

• He's now revising the first draft of his essay.他目前正修改他的文章初稿。
• The draft of this article has been done。这篇文章已经定稿。

5 dairy   

n.牛奶场，乳品店；adj.乳制品的

参考例句：

• The yogurt sold by this dairy is delicious.这家乳品店出售的酸奶非常好喝。
• He kept a few dairy cows.他养了几头奶牛。

6 jellies   

n.凝胶剂；胶状物( jelly的名词复数 )；（双腿或双膝）（由于紧张或恐惧而）感到软弱；（海滩和海上穿的）轻便塑料鞋

参考例句：

• Mother puts up a keeping [store] of preserved fruits and jellies every year. 母亲每年都要贮存蜜饯和果冻。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• All the strawberry jellies had been eaten. 草莓冻都吃光了。 来自辞典例句

7 berries   

n.浆果( berry的名词复数 )；（葡萄，番茄等）浆果；干果仁；干种子

参考例句：

• Birds feed on nuts and berries in the winter. 鸟类靠坚果和浆果过冬。
• We went here and there looking for berries. 我们四处寻找浆果。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 funnel   

n.漏斗；烟囱；v.汇集

参考例句：

• He poured the petrol into the car through a funnel.他用一个漏斗把汽油灌入汽车。
• I like the ship with a yellow funnel.我喜欢那条有黄烟囱的船。

9 spun   

v.纺，杜撰，急转身

参考例句：

• His grandmother spun him a yarn at the fire.他奶奶在火炉边给他讲故事。
• Her skilful fingers spun the wool out to a fine thread.她那灵巧的手指把羊毛纺成了细毛线。

10 historians   

n.历史学家，史学工作者( historian的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Historians seem to have confused the chronology of these events. 历史学家好像把这些事件发生的年代顺序搞混了。
• Historians have concurred with each other in this view. 历史学家在这个观点上已取得一致意见。

11 demonstration   

n.表明，示范，论证，示威

参考例句：

• His new book is a demonstration of his patriotism.他写的新书是他的爱国精神的证明。
• He gave a demonstration of the new technique then and there.他当场表演了这种新的操作方法。

12 jersey   

n.运动衫

参考例句：

• He wears a cotton jersey when he plays football.他穿运动衫踢足球。
• They were dressed alike in blue jersey and knickers.他们穿着一致，都是蓝色的运动衫和灯笼短裤。

13 candidates   

n.报考者( candidate的名词复数 )；申请求职者；攻读学位者；最后命运或结局如何已显然可见者

参考例句：

• Employers must consider all candidates impartially and without bias. 雇主必须公平而毫无成见地考虑所有求职者。
• one of the leading candidates for the presidency 总统职位的主要候选人之一

14 agencies   

n.代理( agency的名词复数 )；服务机构；（政府的）专门机构；代理（或经销）业务（或关系）

参考例句：

• There are many specialized agencies in the United Nations. 联合国有许多专门机构。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The project is funded by the World Bank and other multilateral agencies. 这项计划由世界银行和其他多国机构资助。 来自《简明英汉词典》

15 publications   

n.发表( publication的名词复数 )；公布；出版；出版物

参考例句：

• The related publications are far too numerous to list individually. 相关出版物太多，没法一一列举。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• A detailed list of our publications is available on request. 我们的出版物有一份详细的目录备索。 来自《简明英汉词典》

16 fertilizers   

肥料，化肥( fertilizer的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• the long-term effects of fertilizers 肥料的长远影响
• Crushed bones make one of the best fertilizers. 骨粉是最佳肥料之一。

17 acrobats   

n.杂技演员( acrobat的名词复数 )；立场观点善变的人，主张、政见等变化无常的人

参考例句：

• I was always fascinated by the acrobats at the circus. 我总是着迷于马戏团里的杂技演员。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The acrobats' performance drew forth applause from the audience. 杂技演员的表演博得了观众的掌声。 来自《简明英汉词典》

18 demonstrated   

举行示威游行（或集会）( demonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )； 示范。展示； 显示； 论证

参考例句：

• All of those demonstrated the correctness of his analysis. 这一切都证明了他分析的正确性。
• The fireman demonstrated great courage in saving the child. 那位消防队员在抢救孩子的过程中，表现了极大的勇气。

19 exhibit   

vt.展览，展出，陈列；n.展览品；陈列品

参考例句：

• Next week those goods will exhibit in that shop. 下个星期，这些货物将在那家商店展出。
• The economy continued to exhibit signs of decline in September.9月份，经济继续呈现出衰退的迹象。

20 version   

n.版本；型号；叙述，说法

参考例句：

• His version of the events is pure supposition.他对这件事的说法纯属猜测。
• What is your version of this matter?你对这件事情的看法 怎么样？

21 humanity   

n.人类，[总称]人(性)，人道[pl.]人文学科

参考例句：

• Such an act is a disgrace to humanity.这种行为是人类的耻辱。
• We should treat animals with humanity.我们应该以仁慈之心对待动物。

22 additional   

adj.添加的，额外的，另外的

参考例句：

• It is necessary to set down these additional rules.有必要制定这些补充规则。
• I think we can fit in an additional room.我想我们可以再加建一间房子。

23 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

24 demolition   

n.破坏,毁坏,毁坏之遗迹

参考例句：

• The church has been threatened with demolition for years. 这座教堂多年来一直面临拆毀的威胁。
• The project required the total demolition of the old bridge. 该项目要求将老桥完全拆毁。

25 weaver   

n.织布工；编织者

参考例句：

• She was a fast weaver and the cloth was very good.她织布织得很快，而且布的质量很好。
• The eager weaver did not notice my confusion.热心的纺织工人没有注意到我的狼狈相。