I can't believe so many who love TS4 are so unhappy with the 'fair' in Cottage Living. When the 'fair' is supposedly the reason for all the hard work in this pack. By reading this thread it seems Maxis' devs never actually attended 'country' fairs or know what happens there and or maybe they should have watched Charlotte's Web to get some insight into what goes on at country fairs (farmer fairs).
There are always shows, music, food stalls, cotton candy, candied apples, maybe a few performances like from a magician along with singers and bands, tours of seeing the animals, and omg...rides on at least a a few things for adults and smaller rides of kids.
The contests are only part of the fair and very important and is the main reason for having one but an actual country fair for the farmers where I live happens annually, and has some big name entertainment, lots of rides, lots of food, lots of competitions, lots of farm goods to buy, jam, apple butter, etc. It's almost like Maxis never attended a real one. And they are usually a week long event so people can return every day and night and see all there is to see and do. Different entertainment and contests depending on the day of the week. Geez, Maxis go to a few because you left out a lot.