City Kids Exploring the Pioneer Town at the LaPorte County Fair, 2014. Summer Bucket List Item. Part I

Pioneer town is a fantastic set up of turn of the century life in America at the LaPorte County Fair, in Indiana. The fair is an annual summer bucket list item because we can experience so much rural traditional fun, less than two-hours from our Windy City home. We experienced a school house, post office, ol' fashion wood games, and chores like laundry.

After feeding the animals, bits of corn from a quarter machine, we headed to the next game area. Simple spinning tips, a wooden Sliding gingerbread man and catch the strung ball in a cap ol' fashioned games kept us going for another 30 minutes.

Pioneer Town at the LaPorte County Fair, 2014 City Kids Exploring, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

The volunteer teacher truly embraced her role! My children sat in the hard benches, and experienced using a small chalkboard to practice their penmanship.

Pioneer Town at the LaPorte County Fair, 2014 City Kids Exploring, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

Here my older son is experiencing classic ol' fashion corporal punishment: the classroom volunteer teacher said put your nose on that dot on the chalkboard. "mom, this is hard!"

Pioneer Town at the LaPorte County Fair, 2014 City Kids Exploring, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

More punishment...
It's the dunce hat. You could be expected to sit here for the entire class period, or stand facing the wall. Torture!

Pioneer Town at the LaPorte County Fair, 2014 City Kids Exploring, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

Pioneer Town at the LaPorte County Fair, 2014 City Kids Exploring, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

Make mistakes, breathe, reflect. And Laugh.Out.Loud

Chicago City Kids at the LaPorte County Fair, 2014 - Summer Bucket List must do. Part III

We love the LaPorte county fair! It's rural fun at it's finest. Apart from the junk food joy my kids like we also really like the nature centered and REAL life learning for us City Kids. Entry is $5 for adults, kids under 12 Are free. Carnival rides And games are extra.

Chicago City Kids at the LaPorte County Fair, 2014 - Summer Bucket List must do, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

1st stop is the gold fish fishing challenge. If you fish in the morning, you're guarenteed to carry around your $1 goldfish winning catch all day.

My younger son didn't like the authentic smell of the animal Showing Area

Chicago City Kids at the LaPorte County Fair, 2014 - Summer Bucket List must do, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

Fun ol' fashion games

Chicago City Kids at the LaPorte County Fair, 2014 - Summer Bucket List must do, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

In the back of this 1st stall were some crafts. Exit the back door into the carnival OR we turned right and walked the Prarie flowers and explored the path. And look at this great bee identification sign, helped with IDs for our recent burrowing beetles found in evanston, and the all black worker bees found collecting earlier this year.

One of our first stops was the 4H fair. Here younger son discovered the Lego builds that kids made.

Chicago City Kids at the LaPorte County Fair, 2014 - Summer Bucket List must do, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

It was one of his highlights of the day. He's our Lego monster! We also found over 50 boards dedicated to bug collecting... Moms spent 30 minutes exploring :-)

Make mistakes, breathe, reflect. And Laugh.Out.Loud

Summer Fun: July 4 Holiday in Chesterton, Indiana. The day before theLaPorte County Fair

We enjoy visiting Indiana towns, walking, exploring and enjoying. Downtown Chesterton has some great shops with fun signs. The Dog Days ice cream shop has yummy homemade gelato - trust me when I say it's worth a visit!!

The owner is of Polish Heritage, and Very Proud

July 4 Holiday in Chesterton, Indiana Part I, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

Then, exit there back door and walk down to the nature center boardwalk (some parts elevated above swamp like marsh land), a part of the coffee creek conservation.

Great signage along the strip:

July 4 Holiday in Chesterton, Indiana Part I, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

July 4 Holiday in Chesterton, Indiana Part I, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

It ends at a park with rubber mulch for the kids!! It'll only be two blocks over to the main Indiana Blvd., and 2 blocks North back to Dog Days.

We often visit the Texas coral steakhouse for some family restaurant fun. While it's probably a germ town, we do love to dig into the peanut barrel and throw our shells on the ground, as do all the patrons here.

July 4 Holiday in Chesterton, Indiana Part I, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

We frequent the Michigan City location. Highland Indiana's is nice too with deer antlers for door knobs.

Our visit was planned around the LaPorte county fair, which we try to visit every year!! Elephant ears, farm animals, animal contests, cowboy keepsakes, and car derby included. It's loads of authentic rural fun. There's a carnival that is attached and a great pioneer town we discovered this year for a flavor of authentic Pioneer life. The kids spent over an HOUR at the pioneer town alone!

July 4 Holiday in Chesterton, Indiana Part I, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

More posts from our holiday fun to follow.

Make
Mistakes.
Breathe!
Reflect.
And Laugh.Out.Loud