Mrs.Cheest and I took 3 of the 4 grandkids to the Kendall County(IL)Fair last week.
It's a true agricultural fair. No midway with rides or carnies with rigged games. Just farm stuff. First thing out of the oldest grandsons' mouth when we said there were no rides-"So this isn't a fair?" Me-"Yes it is. This is what county fairs used to be." GS-"Oh. You guys must have been bored." Me-(under my breath)"JHC!"
First thing that did get their attention is we were approached by a County Sheriff officer who introduced their 'Comfort Dog" to us. What a calm sweetie she was. Owen and Lauren made a new friend. The kids also visited some craft booths and played in a sandbox full of corn kernels. Before the sandbox, though, we saw the farm animals. I grew up surrounded by dairy cows, sheep, hogs, and chickens. The youngest granddaughter's home is bordered by farms. She was fine. The boys, though, you'd think we'd thrown them in a zoo cage. They whined about the smell and got vocal about the cow pies. I told them, "Why don't you two tell everyone here you are town kids without telling them you are town kids." We left shortly after that.
I mentioned the animal episode to the boys' Mom and Dad. They sighed and shook their heads. They don't get it either. Our SIL grew up in the sticks and our daughter, who grew up in the suburbs, worked summers at the farm in a local amusement park. She helped deliver lambs and groomed ponies.