Awake in the Dream

  "Thank You For Being Us."  Those words, stitched in colorful cloth banners, have greeted all who enter the front gates every July for decades, reminding us that inside the eight we are welcome, accepted and connected. Like so many generations, I grew up going to Fair. I have gone from being a barefoot toddler with dusty feet on the path to holding my own baby in my arms while dancing at the drum tower. The Fair is in my bones and I hold it and my Fair Family deep and tenderly in my heart.  When I was made aware of your Facebook post from November, which has since been removed, stating that proof of vaccination will be required to be on the site as of January 1rst, I was crestfallen and completely flummoxed.  While I respect the size of the event that you are organizing and acknowledge the unprecedented challenge that a global pandemic presents in holding such an event, I am confused about the logic that led you to this decision. Vaccinated ...