(Originally published at SLNN.COM)

MORRILL - Thursday, February 21st, at 9:30 a.m. SLT, the first Virtual State Fair opens in Second Life. The State Fair has been put together by the Cooperative Extension and provides an wonderful State Fair experience.

Upon entering the State Fair, there is a tent providing information about issues that the Cooperative Extension cares about, from fire arts to good parenting. Near that tent, is fair food, cheeseburgers and corn on the cob. The domestic arts building contains; pies, cake and bread with their appropriate ribbons. In the next room are colorful quilts with links to interviews with Appalachian quiltmakers.

The midway has traditional fair food such as funnel cakes, popcorn and even sushi. And of course rides: ferris wheel and bumper cars, for example. The failure of the bumper cars to turn or back up consistently mimics the experiences of any bumper car aficionado.

No fair is complete without the animal barns. The goats, cows, sheep, pigs, horses and chickens are all there. One of the things missing is the vegetables. No State Fair is complete without a giant pumpkin and rows of carefully arranged beans, peas, corn and other produce. Unfortunately, it is still hard to find good vegetables in Second Life. In addition, there wasn’t any antique farm equipment, although there are emergency vehicles standing by.

Perhaps for the next State Fair, residents will be able to bring their vegetables, antique farm equipment, animals and other exhibits.

The ribbon cutting ceremony and reception will take place Thursday at noon, SLT, followed by many great acts on the midway bandstand. These include notable Second Life performers such as Cylindrian Rutabaga, Frogg and Jaycatt, and Kim Seifert.

On Friday, there will be barrel racing, trail rides, and trivia contests, and every night will have a fireworks show at 7 p.m. SLT.

Thynka Little deserves significant credit for putting together the area.