Almost 30 years ago someone dragged me to Prairie Peddler just outside Butler.
In 2021, I’m the one doing the dragging.
Autumn has always been my favorite time of year. It goes beyond football season. The leaves are changing and there’s a whiff of crisp in the air.
When I was attending Ohio University in the late 1980s, some high school friends and I would have a mini-reunion at the annual demolition derby that capped the Lancaster Fair in October. It was usually cold, but we just enjoyed the sights, the sounds, the camaraderie, and the fair food. One year we brought a deck of cards, took our food up to the grandstands and waited all day for the derby to begin that night.
Prairie Peddler is like that.
I think it’s the smells that appeal to me the most. The smoke from wood burning, the french fries, soups, donuts, and even hot chocolate are all treats for the senses while the trees from the nearby woods provide plenty of shade.
Last weekend there were two bands in action, one on the front stage and one in the food pavilion. I’m not really a bluegrass fan, but as a backdrop to stuffing my face, the beat works. One group broke into a Johnny Cash song while we were there, and that was even better.
There are numerous nick nacks for sale, big and small. One year we purchased a Cedar Chest that still sits at the foot of our bed. My daughter is a sucker for the various hot chocolate flavors. My mom always liked the quilt lot, and this year there was a coffee cake stand that I may visit again this weekendÂ
Colorful mums add to the scenery and if the weather is decent there will be a crowd. This is the perfect place to find a Christmas gift for the toughest person to buy for on your list.
This weekend provides a second chance to attend Prairie Peddler. As the leaves begin to change, and autumn beckons, we’re just about to run out of outdoor activities. You might want to grab the opportunity while you can.
