YOUR Kids

WITH KATHLEEN DAVIS From AboveFeathers

Navigating life is hard. To say that the past few years have been filled with changes and uncertainty is simply an understatement. We have all had to learn to adjust; to look at things differently and adapt. Our children are no different. They have been riding this ship of unpredictability and, in many cases, know no different. However, occasionally, fears and anxieties can creep in. It may be a new school, a new house, going to sleep at night or a simple change in routine, but sooner or later, our kids will show fear towards something.

Night-time fears were a giant hurdle in our home, and we would always fall back on the premise that God was with us. That God would always be with us – an idea that I firmly believe. The idea that no matter the problem, God is with us. This does not necessarily stop bad things from happening (cue Jesus and John the Baptist), but He will be there to help us through those bad things. I am a children’s book author, and my first book, BRAVE, was inspired by my children. My kids were terrified to go to sleep and would wake me up throughout the night. I decided to triumph this issue by illustrating and describing my kiddos as children who were in fact, not scared of anything and, in the end, could always rely on God to be with them. It worked. Of course, my kids would go in and out of their night-time fears, but we would always return to our book and remind ourselves that we are safe.

My second book, Feathers From Above, is also by my children. My daughter would find feathers around the house and outside. Then, with childlike innocence, she would run up to me, declaring that her “Guardian Angel must have dropped their feather!” I loved this. She believed she was protected by God through an angel, and the feathers were little reminders of their existence. It was beautiful. I knew right away this must be a message for all children: Finding solace in feathers fallen from the wings of our angels who are messengers and protectors from God.

As my children grow, I have noticed their fears continuously transforming. Our kids are just like us, and with each new day, we will inevitably find something to worry about – probably mostly them. I cannot shield them from their worries any more than I can shield myself from my anxieties. They are a part of life. However, I can reinforce the idea that God is with us even when we are scared. I can remind my children that not only are they protected throughout the night, but they are also protected throughout their entire life.

THE BGA CLASS OF 2022 9 %7

ACCEPTED

TO AT LEAST ONE OF THEIR TOP THREE COLLEGE CHOICES, INCLUDING

Arizona State University Auburn University Belmont University Boston College Brigham Young University Centre College College of Charleston College of Wooster Dartmouth College Eckerd College Elon University Furman University Georgia Tech Middlebury College New York University Northeastern University Northwestern University Occidental College Samford University Savannah College of Art and Design Sewanee: The University of the South Southern Methodist University Tulane University University of Alabama University of California, Berkeley University of Georgia University of Miami University of Michigan University of Pittsburgh University of Richmond University of Tennessee, Knoxville Vanderbilt University Virginia Tech Wake Forest University Washington University in St. Louis Yale University

GUIDE TO THE

AUGUST 5 - AUGUST 13

The 2022 Williamson County Fair has returned for its nine days of family fun. Be in the know of what activities are taking place this year and what new attractions there are to see. Here is your guide to the Fair, helping to make planning a breeze! Learn more, get your tickets and see the schedules at williamsoncountyfair.org.

TICKETS

Online ticket purchases for admission and Midway rides offer the best deals this year. Admission tickets are $9 for adults and $5 for children (ages 6-12) online, and $12 for adults and $7 (ages 6-12) for children at the gate. Children ages five and under are admitted free. Also available online is a one-day “Family Fun Pass” that includes admission for two adults and two children (valued at $38) for $28.50. Online ticket buyers have the advantage of using the “Fast Pass” lane to scan the tickets, which can be printed beforehand or displayed on a mobile device upon arrival at the Fair. All shows and attractions are free with admission unless otherwise posted. There are daily admission specials that can be found on the Fair website. Admission tickets will be available for purchase online throughout the Fair at williamsoncountyfair.org. CROWD FAVORITES

Piccolo Zoppe Little 1’s Farming Jurassic Kingdom Chainsaw Artist - Roark Phillips MTE Hotline Safety Demonstration

HERE’S WHAT NOT TO MISS ON OPENING DAY!

□ 5:30 PM Ribbon Cutting □ 6:00 PM Doors open □ 6:30 & 8:00 PM Piccolo Zoppe Circus □ 6:30, 7:30 & 8:30 PM Sea Lion Splash □ 7:00 PM Honey Extraction Demo □ 7:15 & 8:15 PM Xpogo Stunt Team □ 7:00 PM MTE Hotline Demonstration □ 7:00 PM Mike Oldham and the

Tone Rangers on Nissan Stage □ 8:30 PM Rockland Road on Nissan Stage □ 10:00 PM Fireworks

Complete daily schedules are available online at williamsoncountyfair.org.

NEW

SEA LION SPLASH

Sea Lion Splash is an entertaining and informative presentation that showcases the relationship between an “adopted family” of rescued sea lions and their handlers. The sea lions you will see have been assigned to Sea Lion Splash LLC by the National Marine Fisheries Service (informally known as NOAA Fisheries). This federal agency is a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Sea Lion Splash LLC is fully licensed by NOAA Fisheries, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission!

NEW

MEGAMORPH CAR

It is a full-size automobile capable of transforming into a huge robot right before your eyes. As the crowd gathers, they are treated to the musical sounds of robots and machines. Then, with all eyes, cameras and phones locked on what seems to be a normal Chevy Camaro, the music suddenly changes. As smoke creeps out of the car and luminescent lights accent the interior, the car begins to transform and within moments morphs into a robot standing almost fifteen feet tall. Spectators, young and old alike, are introduced to Megamorph and insist their friends and neighbors experience this TERRIFYINGLY TERRIFIC TRANSFORMATION!

FAIR TIPS & RULES

• No refunds for admission for rides will be given • Closed toe shoes required on rides • Clear bags are not required in 2022 • Bag checks may be randomly conducted • Hand sanitization strongly encouraged • No alcohol allowed • No open cups, containers, bottles, cans or coolers allowed.

PARKING TIPS

Free parking will be provided by NISSAN North America. Please note that, during Fair hours, private vehicles must remain in the parking areas and will not be allowed in the pedestrian areas within the ticket gates. Gate 1 is the main entrance for parking. Courtesy Carts will run continuously throughout the parking areas providing drop off and pick up at the ticket booths, until fifteen minutes before closing time each night, except Sunday–Thursday carts will run until 10pm. Guests who need to drop off someone at the Fair entrance should proceed down Long Lane to Gate 2, pull into the front parking lot, drop off their guest and then return via the same route out onto Long Lane. Livestock trailers should proceed down Long Lane to the third Fairgrounds entrance, Gate 3.