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At the heart of Dixon on a hot Friday afternoon, the May Fair buzzed with the unmistakable rhythm of small-town fun — laughter from the midway, the scent of funnel cakes and corndogs in the air, and the proud gleam of prize ribbons inside exhibition halls.
Inside Denverton Hall, 11-year-old Elora Boswem of Vacaville darted from photo to photo, her eyes lighting up as she pointed out her own blue-ribbon winners to a visitor. With her mother, Michele, and younger brother, Byron, by her side, the young photographer had four blue ribbons to boast — each one tied to a slice of her world captured through a lens.
“That’s my brother with all of his fishing gear,” Elora said, pointing at one of the images. Another showed a snail in perfect detail. “We saw it on a walk,” Michele explained. “She laid down on her belly to take the photo, all zoomed in.”
Nearby, Elora’s other winning entries — gulls caught mid-flight and a rocky Bodega Bay seascape — spoke to both her talent and the quiet beauty of family outings. “I like doing photography because it’s just fun,” she said simply. For Michele, it’s more than fun — it’s a journey the whole family embraces. “We’ve always encouraged her to pursue her passions,” she said, getting just a little emotional. “Whatever she’s into, we’re going in full bore.”
Across the fairgrounds in the Interior Living building, the celebration of creativity continued. Quilts, pies, handcrafted items — each item told a story. And for Glenda Riddle and her daughter, Michelle Rabanal, the ribbons were hard-won and a source of satisfaction.
“I have five blue ribbons, two second-place, and one third,” Riddle said. Michelle added, “And I got Best of Division for my homespun wool.”
But behind the bright ribbons was a deeper story. Riddle had taken a five-year break from fair competition — one forced by tragedy. “Our home burned to the ground in the LNU fire,” she said. “It’s been in a rebuilding process to get back to where we are now.”
Now, back in the rhythm of the fair, their family’s legacy continues with Michelle’s son, Ethan, showing his 4-H-raised lamb in the livestock area. “It’s a family affair,” Riddle said with a smile.
Wander further down the fairway, and it’s not just ribbon-winners who make the Dixon May Fair a community cornerstone. Vacaville resident Thaty Yoder brought her daughter, Madison, to join the festivities — and give back.
“I’m in Rotary, and I help with special needs kids who are here today,” Yoder said. “It’s nice and everyone here is so friendly. I love that this event is about community. It’s wonderful to see all the kids from high school and middle school — this is a place to come together.”
And so it was. Under strings of lights and the shadows of the midway rides, the Dixon May Fair has become more than a showcase of talents. It’s a celebration, a moment to pause and recognize the people, young and old, who make the community shine.
The Dixon May Fair continues Saturday and Sunday with the annual May Fair Parade kicking off events Saturday morning at 10 a.m.
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