Story by Miriam Gershenson; photos by Albert Kreimerman
DEL MAR, California – I was 13-15 years old, living in Israel, when my girlfriends and I decided to go to the Luna Park in Tel Aviv. We left Ariel via the bus and headed out. I remember thinking how grand the place was as we walked in. I recall a Coca- Cola commercial being filmed and we were selected to be in it. This allowed us to go on the rides without waiting in line.
I remember having a great time that day and losing complete track of time. I remember that by the time we were heading back home, the bus was no longer running and we ran out of money. We weren’t sure how we would get back when a taxi driver approached us letting us know he would take us home. That is exactly what we did. Each one of our parents paid a portion of the taxi bill and of course, they were all very upset with us. Not longer after, I remember my dad being so proud of me when he saw the Coca- Cola commercial on TV.
Twenty years later on July 7th, I’m in San Diego going to the last day of the county fair with my husband. This time, going by car. Coming in, I thought it was so grand. Honestly, Luna Park has nothing on the set up of the San Diego County Fair.
This time, I didn’t see any commercials being filmed nor was I selected to be in one, however, I was able to still get on all the rides without any lines because frankly, there weren’t any lines anywhere we went.
My husband and I had a great time and lost track of the hours just the same as I did two decades ago. This time, it didn’t matter because when we headed home, we simply went back to our car. There was no taxi bill, which would probably be Lyft or Uber if that happened today. There will not be anything on TV but there will be this article on the internet and the photos and videos we took saved to the cloud.
The county fair gave me a day of pure joy even though I attended with a busted arm that got even more hurt on one of the rides. It was pure joy even though I felt sick after going on the more extreme rides which I usually adore. It was pure joy when I was hanging upside down on one of the rides, hanging on for dear life with one hand while cursing the hurt arm for being useless. It was pure joy when we were in that one ride where my purse kept hitting me in the face and my husband’s phone went flying. Luckily, that ride was caged so we managed to salvage all our belongings. It was pure joy when I went to the first aid office to get painkillers and a sling because the wrist brace was no longer enough to contain my pain.
Eventually, we needed to take a break from the adrenaline fueled-rides, and check out the exhibits. The animals were my favorite part. There was a petting zoo, chickens, llamas, and so much more. This was probably my favorite exhibit. They even had a cow statue where you can learn how to properly milk one. I took to it quickly, Albert ended up soaked. Guess farm life isn’t for him.
We continued to explore the exhibits going through the Retro exhibit which was also the theme of the fair this year. We spent a lot of time in this one reminiscing on many things we saw and discussing items before our time. I have always questioned if there was a time before my husband as I was pretty sure he existed before dirt was discovered. He used this exhibit as his proof.
As we continued to wander around, we went inside one of the buildings that had no exhibit within it. It was just shopping; this was Albert’s least favorite one as he knew I would be shopping. As we walked around this place, I saw a booth selling various items such as jewelry and other random items. Among those, I found a pair of beautiful colorful earrings that had a Star of David on them. Obviously, I immediately bought them to add to my Jewish related jewelry collection that has significantly grown since October 7th.
As I reflect on my recent experience at the San Diego County Fair, I can’t help but draw parallels to that unforgettable day at Luna Park two decades ago. Both experiences were filled with pure joy and a sense of timeless adventure, despite the differences in locations and circumstances. The fair reminded me that no matter where life takes us or how much time passes, the thrill of amusement parks and the joy of spending time with loved ones remain constant.
From filming a Coca-Cola commercial at Luna Park to capturing moments on my phone at the county fair, these memories are etched in my heart. The excitement of the rides, the hilarity of mishaps, and the joy of discovering new things with my husband made this day as memorable as my childhood adventure.
As I continue to add to my collection of Jewish jewelry, each piece serves as a reminder of the journey I’ve been on and the experiences that shape who I am. The San Diego County Fair, with its retro theme and diverse exhibits, provided a day of nostalgia and new memories that I’ll cherish forever. Just as Luna Park left its mark on my teenage years, the fair has now become a part of my adult life’s tapestry of joyous moments.
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Miriam Gershenson is a freelance writer based in Escondido.