Starting yesterday in Gering, Oregon Trail Days began. This is an annual event held every year and is supposed to “recognize the people who settled this  region.’” Oregon Trail Days has parades, concerts, a classic car show, and an international food fair. Most of these events hold very little interest to Irene and I, but we do go to the international food fair and the classic car show. Both these events are held together at the same time so they are easy to attend. We also attended last year and, after wondering whether not to bother going this year, we went again.

When someone tells me that an international food fair is being held, I assume that food from many different parts of the world will be available. Of course, I should have realized that this is Gering, Nebraska and there is not much demand for what I consider real international food. Still, I would have thought that the organizers of the Oregon Trail Days would have made more of an effort. What passes for international food here consists of mostly Mexican food and Native American tacos. It has been like this for the last two years and for me is a big disappointment. In the end, I ended up eating a hot dog, drinking a bottle of water and wandering around the food stalls to make sure I was “seen” by people in the local community (remember this is a small community). The only interesting thing that happened was that I got to meet an elderly gentleman who told me all about his career in ranching. It was actually quite interesting hearing him talk about his life and how ranching has changed over the years.

Although I do not think much of Oregon Trail Days, we will probably go to the international food fair again next year. Not so much for the food, but to make sure that as a Gering Public Schools teacher that I am seen participating in community events.