Country Living in Columbus

     Middle-age white moms are toting bags filled to the brim with their treasured finds, you can hear the twang of bluegrass music in the background, and the air smells like sweet buttered popcorn; the Country Living Fair has returned to Columbus, Ohio.
     While most of the shops have a similar array of glitter-encrusted pumpkins and overpriced "vintage" finds, if you search through the madness, you can really find something magical. Furniture pieces always go quickly and decorations can disappear equally fast if they're in high demand. Although there are many stores, there's always something special for each shopper. A small porcelain doll might be just as meaningful for one person as a handmade baby outfit might be for another.

Vintage campers at the Country Living Fair (Elizabeth Doll)

     There is also an area set up to showcase both vintage and new campers; Go RVing sponsors the area and even has raffles and giveaways throughout the fair. Some of the prized items? A new iPad, Go RVing materials, and more. Although some people still use their vintage trailers to go camping, others have taken to converting them into mobile shops that can travel from fair to fair. While this Country Living fair did not have many of those, at other fairs, such as the Hobnob Market in Danville, Illinois, they are very common.
     After searching for fun clothes, crafts, and housewares, a fair goer can relax and listen to some music while snacking on an apple fritter or some kettle corn, washed down with fresh squeezed lemonade. The lines are long, but they move quickly. This year a new vendor, Sweet Carrot Casual Cuisine, had guests lined up at two locations in the fairgrounds. From pulled pork to their signature "Grown-Up Mac & Cheese," Sweet Carrot drew in huge crowds.

Edited to add photo 2:14 p.m. September 14th