Friends enjoy Senior Day at the Delta Fair

KENNETT, Mo. - Wednesday’s weather here was perfect for Senior Day at the Delta Fair.

Those who arrived at the Delta Fairgrounds enjoyed a fine afternoon filled with partly sunny skies, fresh air and a relaxed atmosphere.

Two friends who’ve visited the fair “for longer than we care to remember” were among the crowd and took time to speak with the Delta Dunklin Democrat.

Carl Ronhilt, 74 of Greenville and “just a big ol’ K” Hamlett, of Hayti are a delightful pair who took the truck to town in order to participate in Delta Fair festivities.

“K and I came down to enjoy the fair today,” Ronhilt said. “And I’m also here to visit my mother, Mable Randall at NHC.”

What lit a fire under Ronhilt that enticed him to jump in the truck and aim for Kennett from Lake Wappapello?

“Well, I texted him and told him, ‘Let’s go to the fair,’” Hamlett said, laughing. “That’s all it took.”

Although Wednesday was the first day they attended this year’s event, it definitely wasn’t a debut for either Ronhilt or Hamlett.

“How many times have I been to the fair in my life?” Ronhilt asked. “Let’s see, I’m 74.

“At least 50 times,” he continued. “When I was a kid we lived just north of town. We’d come on Tuesday nights after the parade, usually another night during the week and always back on Saturday night.”

And that inspired a knowing giggle from Hamlett.

“He used to go to them hoochie-koochie shows and peek through them tents,” she accused with a knowing smile. “My brother told me about them.”

A few denials later came the humorous admission.

“I can guarantee that,” Ronhilt said, and the two friends erupted in hysterical laughter. “Yes, we did. We didn’t want mama to catch us.”

These hoochie koochie shows featured exotic dancers clothed in grass skirts?

“No grass skirts,” Ronhilt said. “Nope.

“Minnie the Mermaid and them didn’t wear no grass skirts.”That round of laughter quelled and just led to more fun.

“We’re gonna ride the Ferris wheel and go look at the exhibits,” Hamlett said. “I don’t really have a favorite activity or ride.

“I just love everything about the fair,” she added. “I love it all. We see people we haven’t seen in a while, but probably not today because it’s Old People Day. There’s not a whole lot of food choices on Senior Day because there’s more to do at night with the music, all the games going and just a bigger crowd of people. But we always have found something good to eat and it’s fun just being here.”

So will the two attend in coming years and continue the fair tradition?

“Sure!” Hamlett exclaimed. “If he’ll go.

“Last year we might have came at night,” she continued. “We came with Caruthersville Nutrition Center. The old people came on the bus when we came over here.”

More laughter as the two friends began their tour of the grounds, toward the Ferris wheel by way of the Ag Barn.

More blue skies for them both.

More fresh air.

More sunshine.

More friendship.

More fun.

More.

That’s what the pair found on Senior Day at the Delta Fair.

“We might come out here again this week,” Hamlett mused as the pair strolled toward the Ag Barn. “You never know.

“You might just see us again,” she continued. “It’s more fun at the fair.”