I wrote an article for Hashtag West Virginia highlighting the State Fair of West Virginia a couple of weeks ago which reminded me of the many charms of the state fairs.

For budget-conscious families, state fairs offer affordable dining and fun close to home, and the fall is one of the best times to visit the state fair. The crisp air carries the scents of fresh-picked, farm-fresh food and the chance of sunburn decreases as you watch the horse, dog, and demolition displays from the grand stands.

Munch on funnel cake and giant cinnamon rolls as you browse the crafts, stained-glass, and needlework of the state’s residents. Take your sweetheart on a ride around the Ferris wheel for a bird’s eye view of the activity and try to win larger-than-life stuffed animal prize at the ring toss.

Give your kids a taste of old-fashioned pleasures such as fiddling, square dancing, and hay rides. And state fairs can be one of the best (and one of the most affordable) places to hear the biggest names in country music.
 
This Labor Day weekend and fall, make time to go to the fair. All over America, the good times are rolling.

State Fairs - Fall 2017
New York State Fair
August 23 – September 4, 2017
Alaska State Fair
August 24 - September 4, 2017
Maryland State Fair
August 24 - September 4, 2017
Minnesota State Fair
August 24 - September 4, 2017
Nebraska State Fair
August 25 - September 4, 2017
Oregon State Fair
August 25 - September 4, 2017
Colorado State Fair
August 25 - September 4, 2017
New Hampshire State Fair
September 1 - 4, 2017
Washington State Fair
September 1 - September 24, 2017 
New Mexico State Fair
September 7 - 17, 2017
Kansas State Fair
September 8 - 17, 2017
Oklahoma State Fair
September 14 - 24, 2017
Massachusetts State Fair
September 15 – October 1, 2017
Virginia State Fair
September 29 - October 8, 2017
Arizona State Fair
October 6 -29, 2017.
Arkansas State Fair
October 12 - 22, 2017
Georgia National Fair
October 5 - 15, 2017
South Carolina State Fair
October 11 - 22, 2017
North Carolina State Fair
October 12 - 24, 2017
Louisiana State Fair
October 26 - November 5, 2017
Alabama National Fair
October 27 - November 5, 2017

Many people who travel overseas are looking for relaxation—to sunbathe on the gorgeous Jamaican beaches, to lounge at a Mexican resort. These are generally safe destinations, right? While I love soaking up the beauty of the Caribbean, I was alarmed to see a popular hotel chain in Mexico had reportedly several incidents with guests involving tainted alcohol.

Considering the recently uncovered information about tainted alcohol by suppliers being sold to resorts in Cancun the Riviera Maya, I cannot recommend traveling to this part of the world now. 

State Department Issued Travel Warning
The U.S. State Department has cautioned travelers in Mexico about allegedly tainted alcohol, and many are wondering if it’s safe to have a margarita or even travel south of the border at all. According to an August 15 article in Time, authorities cracked down on 31 resorts, restaurants and nightclubs in Cancun and Playa del Carmen. They discovered these tourist hot spots were receiving unsanitary alcohol from an illicit manufacturer.

Are the resorts culpable? It sounds to me like they purchased alcohol they believed to be perfectly safe. Should resorts do more testing? Yes, it sounds like they should. After all, they are ultimately the ones responsible for the alcohol being served by to their guests. It also does not appear as though individual resort employees were responsible. While I am not here to blame, I believe the responsibility is with Mexican authorities who need to do more to protect resorts by enforcing alcohol manufacturing and distribution laws. 

A Sobering Reminder
The warning came after a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation about a U.S. citizen who died on a family vacation in a resort’s pool. Other tourists reported blacking out after drinking at other resorts in Mexico.

​Details are still unfolding, but the warning highlights the need for travelers to drink in moderation, especially when outside the country, and to look out for others.
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In the meantime, head to the Caribbean or take a cruise. If you must travel to Mexico, here are a few tips to help keep you safe. 

Safety Tips for Your Mexican Resort Vacation
Knowing what you can do to be alert and safe can help you have a good vacation.

• Research. Before reserving a room at a hotel or resort, consult with other travelers and travel professionals. Check several sources when reading reviews and see if the hotel or resort has an AAA rating, which means the property has been vetted. Make a list of reputable hospitals close to your hotel before checking in, especially as some tourists reported being overcharged. 
• Be aware. If you are suspicious of your drink’s color or taste, don’t drink it.
• Always watch your drink being made. Skip the ice. Ice made with contaminated water or handled with unwashed hands can make you sick.
• Drink bottled or canned beer, or wine from a bottle that you watch being opened.
• Buy your own alcohol at the duty-free section of the airport. Only drink what you brought, even if you need to pay a cork fee.
• Never leave your drink unattended. Be observant of your surroundings, or if you are traveling with a group, ask someone to remain sober and alert.
• If you feel sick, immediately get medical attention.
• Make copies of important documents. Before you travel, make copies of your passport, insurance cards, and driver’s license. Store your copies in your carry-on, not your checked luggage. Keep another at home with a trusted family member or friend.
• Enroll in STEP. The State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service that lets U.S. citizens enroll their trip abroad before they travel. Participants receive safety tips and alerts. The Embassy will contact you in an emergency, whether it’s a family emergency at home or a natural disaster in the country you are in.

You can count on me to write more about this subject in the coming months. Happy and SAFE travels,
 
Erik the Travel Guy