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A recent trip to the Arlington County Fair—my first in many years—delivered a welcome surprise. My husband and I found an event that had grown considerably and become far better organized since we took our daughters there as young children.

The visit also revived memories of the fairs I attended growing up, when county and state fairs were late-summer fixtures. State fairs were essentially supersized county fairs and once loomed so large in American culture that Hollywood produced “State Fair,” starring Pat Boone.

As children in southern Indiana, my friends and I eagerly awaited the Knox County Fair each year. Farm children were among its most enthusiastic participants, especially those in 4-H who raised cattle, sheep and pigs for exhibition. Winning a blue ribbon was their equivalent of receiving an Oscar. During fair week, the local newspaper typically placed at least one photograph of a child with a prize-winning animal on its front page.

I also belonged to 4-H, although my entries went into the exhibition hall rather than the livestock area. Over the years, my yeast rolls and cakes earned a couple of ribbons. Awards came in several colors—not only blue and red, but also white, yellow and green—so more participants could receive recognition.

The midway held the greatest appeal for me. Because I was not especially daring, I favored the Tilt-a-Whirl, Bumper Cars and Ferris wheel while avoiding the roller coaster and a ride known as the Salt and Pepper Shakers.

The games changed as I grew older. As a small child, I selected floating ducks from a stream. Later, I threw darts at balloons and was satisfied even when I won only a consolation prize. The dish booth’s coin toss continually defeated me, though cookware held little value for a 10-year-old anyway.

One year, my mother bought me a souvenir that remained with me for years: a kewpie doll suspended from a slender green bamboo pole. With feathers, spit curls and an enormous smile, she resembled Betty Boop on a stick.

Fair food completed every visit. A corn dog was essential, followed by cotton candy and a snow cone—an assortment that sounds less appealing to my stomach today. Other fairs may have sold funnel cakes, but either the Knox County Fair did not offer them or I somehow overlooked them.

Perhaps children of that era were easily impressed. Whatever the reason, we anticipated the fair every year, and it never seemed to disappoint.