Sometimes you just have to leave things up to chance. And there’s nothing better to personify that notion than a moment at what was the Grab Bag Booth at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair.

Back in the day, like the late 1960s, getting what you got instead of playing a wheel game of chance to attain possibly nothing was the consolation way at the fair.

Commandeered by my mom, Sally Van Develde, and Jeanette Choma, the booth offered that little surprise of something instead of the nothing gamble at the fair.

The cheer-on by these ladies was the extra prize. And, of course, you could buy and inexpensive visible prize to cap the kids’ night or a balloon with which to wander.

A styrofoam hat was always a great bonus, too. But those paper bags filled with mysterious somethings were just plain fun.

So, we dedicate the Retro Pic of the Day to the Grab Bag Booth spirit of grabbing life’s little surprises. Of course, mind you, Mom was looking a bit surprised about the snapshot being taken; but, nonetheless, always ready to ham it up and mug for the camera.

Cheers to getting a little something of a prize in life! For instance, look at that fabulous bee hive hairdo on Jeanette Choma!

What was your favorite little surprise in life or that brown bag in fair times?

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• In Memoriam: Red Bank-Raised Longtime Rumsonite Ted Leddy, 87

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