Growing up there were two very important dates in our lives . The first was Christmas day and the other the Prince Albert Agriculture fair. We children lived in glorious anticipation of each date. Sister Heather and I planned for weeks ahead what we would wear. In those far away days one dressed in their very best to attend such an important event.
First Nations people played an important role in this Agriculture fair. They pitched their traditional teepees. Dessed in ceremonial costumes and performed ceremonial dances. They were a thrilling part of Going To The Fair.
The Fair was pink cotton candy, jewel red candy apples and fat cobs of corn dripping with butter. It was the heady aroma of onions frying, sizzling burgers and french fries. It was the shouting of the barkers inviting you into mysterious tents. The thrill of the tilt-a-wheel, the merry-go-round, the Ferris wheel.
(the pavilion for horticultural, baking, sewing and 4-H club exhibits)
Best of all the fair was about exhibits; kaleidoscopes of quilts, masses of gorgeous prize wining flowers, and our favorite, mouth-watering baking. Sister Heather and I would patrol the baking exhibits, lingering long over the Blue Ribbon First prize winners. It was butter tarts that captured my interest. Their very rich name BUTTER tarts, said it all. And, so began my lengthy love affair with butter tarts.
The butter tart recipe I used today came from THE HARROW FAIR COOKBOOK. It’s filled with nostalgic photographs and prize-winning recipes. It’s a joy to read. I’ve changed the recipe only slightly. Bake and enjoy. THE HARROW FAIR FIRST PRIZE BUTTER-TARTS. The recipe is on my blog MRS. BUTTERFINGERS.
Bel' Occhio 
Virginia those tarts look heavenly : ) Thanks for sharing your memories of going to the fair….sounds like it left a lovely impression on you. Do they still have the fair? Do you still go? I hope at least you got to take your children to experience some of your happy memories.
Ginny
Ginny I haven’t been for years. I moved away from my hometown but I still get a thrill just thinking about The Fair. They still hold the fair. Virginia
The tarts look so very devine and with each delicatable bite you can enjoy all those marvelous memories! I know in “Virginia’s World” so many wonderful events are going on! Enjoy, my dear and thank you for sharing this recipe and most of all your memories and story. Totally Enchanting……….as usual.
For me The Fair was really about the food. The brilliant red candy apples, the smell of fried onions and hamburgers and most of all the spun sugar. One of these days I am going to try making it at home. I have an army of whisks so will sacrifice one by cutting the ends off. Add a strong right arm and who knows what will happen. Virginia
Sounds delightful. Some lovely memories there.
I love the name; Mrs Butterfingers… I’ll get on over and take a look!
I think you will enjoy the recipe Carolyn. I had a lot of fun thinking that name up. Thank you for your lovely comments. Virginia
Hello! It is Emma that you met at Angus and Cait’s wedding. The email you gave me did not work. Please shoot me an email!
How wonderful to hear from you. I hope you are having a wonderful summer. I will send you my e mail address in a separate communicationl. Virginia
Mmm now I am hungry! My mom had made butter tarts and my dad eats them quickly 🙂
I will admit Christy I have to maintain strong will power not to eat more than one of these little darlings at a time. But if you are going to indulge do it with butter tarts. Virginia
Virginia, I loved your wonderful memories of fair days…we still go to our county fair and it’s fun, even though it’s pretty much the same each year…and your butter tarts look delicious! Thanks for sharing! We just finished dinner, so a butter tart for dessert would be a great closure to our meal! 🙂
These butter tarts are so good they should be illegal. The pastry is outstanding. Oh dear, I’ve talked myself back into the kitchen to bake more tarts Lauren. Virginia
You made me smile, but I hope you enjoy! I’ll try them sometime! Right now, I’m taking a break on sweets, which is my weakness! 🙂
Well, Virginia, those tarts made me gain 2 pounds by just looking at them. I think it’s cool that you collect the small town cookbooks. There’s lots of personality in them. Now I’ve got to go eat something. I’m salivating and hungry all of a sudden.
One of my favorite small town cookbooks was put out by a group of Mennonite Woman. I don’t even know some of the ingredients they use, but I love reading the cookbook. Virginia
I think you will enjoy!
They are almost, just almost too good to be true. Virginia