We went to the Haardman Tradin' Daze in Green Creek (pronounced 'Crik').
Since Robert and I hadn't known anything about it, we hadn't brought anything to trade (That's kinda the rule, you have to trade, you aren't supposed to buy and use money.)
The history is that 10 years ago a few folks got together after the Effingham County Fair to trade animals (chickens, ducks geese, dogs/puppies, cats/kittens, rabbits, pigeons, etc. even cows and horses, although the last two aren't brought to the event) because you can't really do that as you're showing them at the fair.
It's grown and expand to like a giant swap meet. This was first I had ever heard about it, or even been there.
So getting back to the beginning, Robert is willing to trade his bag of (illegal in Illinois) Indiana fireworks, with one caveat. He can't trade for anything that eats and poops. I decide to go all out and borrow a paperclip from my cousin. I'm going for a house.
So we get there. I trade the paperclip for a candle, then the candle for 2 jars of canned cherry's. For those I get an antique milk can. I trade that for 3 folding lounge chairs (those bag chairs with the footrest) and turn around I trade the 3 folding lounge chairs for a brand new horse saddle. I should have stopped there as Robert will be taking horseback riding lessions (a family friend is willing to pay for them). But I went and traded the saddle for 3 hangon deer tree stands, a trolling motor, Homelite Chainsaw (with 2 bars and 3 chains) and an electric trailer brake device. At that point due to the heat and lack of fluids, I was done. I could not believe that no-one thought to setup a booth selling bottle water and pop. I think I see an opportunity.
Anyway, Robert managed to trade some firecrackers and a few bottle rockets for a Lee 20 ga Shotshell EZ stacker. He then traded the rest of the bag for ride on electric scooter (like a Vespa) and $10.
A pretty good day.
So anyone need some treestands, or a trolling motor, or a chainsaw? They all work.
