Fun At The Fair

By Erin Colton

Ok, I'm going to get a little nostalgic and maybe even borderline corny in this blog. So bear with me.

One of the best feelings I think I've ever had is giving back to my community. (No, I'm serious.) It just makes me feel good to show people how much of a good influence my town and the people in it had on me. I grew up in Wantagh, so stopping by the Bellmore Fair to meet and talk to people in my neighborhood was something I really wanted to do.

But when I was there, I think I experienced an even better feeling than giving back when someone said they were proud of me. (I know, I know, break out the tissues.)

I'm lucky that my first on-air job is in the area where I grew up. The stories and the people just mean all the more to you. So being able to sit at a booth at the Bellmore Fair (an event I started going to  when I was probably around 2 years old) talking to people in the community -- was great.

But since I don't want to put you to sleep in this blog, going on and on about how great I feel, I figured I'd just let you know about some of the funny things that happened.

Let's start out with my gigantic face. On my way to the News 12 stand I ran into a former classmate of mine from Wantagh High School. He said, "Erin, there's a huge picture of your face over there!" Then, a Nassau County police officer passed me and screamed my name. No, I wasn't getting arrested, turns out he was a former classmate too. He also commented on the fact there was a life size picture of my face right in the middle of Bellmore Avenue. Turns out I didn't need directions to where our booth was, I just followed the face, and found it. (Note: The picture above does not even remotely come close to how big my face actually was.)

 So after everyone got over how enormous my face was, we had time to focus on how cold and windy it was. Note to anyone planning a fair, high winds and rain -- no good. At times I felt like I was in a car wash and I was the car. It was a good thing I was surrounded by a group of awesome people. Madeline kept me company under the tent, while Ryan and I cracked jokes all day long. I especially liked Ryan because he was decked out in all News 12 gear, and I'm not sure if he even knew there was a News 12 Long Island. He was from Optimum and we share a tent because we also share companies. But that's ok because he was wearing a "LI Challenge" hat. (Scott Feldman's game show.) I liked it because I sometimes sport the hat myself around town. (But don't tell Scott that, it might go to his head.)

I'm going to be honest, sometimes the fair was a little bit boring. I was seated in one spot and because not a lot of people showed up because of the weather, nobody was around us at times. So I drew things on my face. One time a little boy walked up and I didn't see him and he goes, "what are you doing?" I responded by saying, "Oh, just drawing on my face. Do you want an autograph?" He goes, "Why?" That may have been the best line of the day, but he took one. He'll probably find it 5 years from now and ONLY remember the fact that some idiot anchor was drawing on her face. 

Our competitor's booth, Verizon, was directly across from ours. (Like THAT was some sort of coincidence.) I thought I'd have a little fun with it. Unfortunately nobody at the Verizon booth was nice enough to hold up the nice sign I made to the left there. Oh well, there's always next year. (Cablevision's better anyway.)

All kidding aside, the day meant more to me than I thought it would. Getting out in the community and hearing people tell me they appreciate the work I do, really made me feel good. I don't think hearing "I watch you every morning" from someone with a huge smile on their face will ever get old to me. So when you do watch me, know that this hometown girl appreciates where she came from and the people who surround her.

 

(No, these people are not fighting for my autograph, we were giving away a free TV.)

Comments

[John]

What a huge coincidence. I have an enormous picture of your face in my living room!

OK, no. But I do hope you saved your defaced face for the office. Maybe "Evil Erin" can handle the morning sports next time you take a vacation.

[Bob]

Erin, good to hear that you appreciate where you came from. As they say, don't forget the little people. And you do not have a big head. You look absolutely beautiful and stunning in those photos and on air every day.