America’s birthday has arrived, and local citizens are partaking in all the usual time-honored annual July traditions that have been American mainstays for many decades. Fireworks displays, our nation’s flag hanging from front doorways, cookouts, cape cod getaways, camping trips, bonfires on the beach, and, best of all, the Brockton fair.

Prophetically and ironically, even the YouTube ad that was created to promote this year’s Brockton fair accidentally contains a news story about a gang-related stabbing which occurred in Brockton earlier this year.

Surprisingly no one has gotten shot at the Brockton Fair……yet. Unlike last year

This year’s fair also began with some dangerous criminal activity. Despite being charged up to $25 for parking, fair-goers were enraged on Friday night because of a perceived lack of parking-lot security after several cars had their windows smashed and items were robbed from vehicles. Even despite warning signs such as this —

Among the many other complaints fair patrons had, was the lengthy delay of the fireworks display which kept families at the Fairgrounds until the wee hours of the morning.  Originally scheduled for 10:30 pm, things did not get underway until midnight.  Many neighborhood residents opined that the tardiness of the start to the event kept them awake far later than normal, while others feared for their safety as they were unable to differentiate whether they were hearing pops and bangs from the fireworks display or typical neighborhood gunfire.

On night number 2, the fireworks display started a little earlier than expected, as one of the cars participating in the demolition derby exploded and became completely engulfed in flames.  A large portion of the grandstand area was immediately evacuated, and miraculously, firemen were able to put out the blaze before any spectators or participants were injured.

One of the classic staples of the Brockton Fair has always been the people-watching.  It continues to be world-renowned, and well worth the price of admission alone. Among the many other events and sights to behold (aside from the toothless carneys trying to con you into shooting a basketball into a hoop that’s half the size of the basketball), was the demolition derby, a circus, wrestling matches, live music, and a magic show. Despite some confusion however, this chain-smoking pregnant woman enjoying an adult beverage was not supposed to be part of the carnival show.

Sweet baby Jesus. That is the most Brockton thing I’ve ever seen. And she does not appreciate being “stocked”

With two nights down and 9 to go, let’s hope during this challenging summer for Brockton authorities, we can keep crime and drama down and amusement up at this July’s Brockton fair (which let’s not forget is supposed to be a family event).

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