Corn Roast Stand

Didn't make it to the Corn Roast stand for corn-on-the-cob this past trip. I'm obviously craving it since it's been on my mind this past week. I will say when I was there last Friday I ate reasonably although that's not to say that I didn't eat some pretty heavy food. I stopped eating well before I hit my limit so I guess there's always a first time for something at the Fair. 

State Fair 2013 - Mike's Story

State Fair 2013 - Summing It Up

I love the Fair. It is a connection to my past and it allows me to draw upon many pleasant memories and warm feelings to go along with them. This was one of my favorite visits as I don't know that I remember a time that I felt so fully in the present and being conscious of what a great time I was having. Hopefully we'll be able to squeeze another visit in this season.

State Fair 2013 - Almost Full Moon

The moon was just a few days past full and it was big, round, and orangish in the sky. I tried to photograph it as Dale and I were walking back to our car. It's the upper small dot to the right in the top photo. I created a graphic to try and show what it looked like which is what you see in the second image.

State Fair 2013 - Skyride 2

A view of the merry-go-round and the Giant Slide from the Skyride.

State Fair 2013 - Skyride

This is a most amazing ride and I've always loved it.  As a kid it was fun waiting in line and trying to predict which color car you would end up in. This year I noticed a car or two that were painted white with black patches to look like the hide of a cow. I was kind of hoping for that one but I think we ended up in a green one. I love quickly hopping in when your car is ready as the attendants hold the door open for you and then shut you in. They hold your car until they're ready to let you go to start your climb to join the other cars. It's magical to listen to the hum as you ride and watch everything that's going on beneath you as you make your way over the Fair. Dale and I always hold hands.

State Fair 2013 - Midway 2

So much fun to take in the energy of the Midway.

State Fair 2013 - Midway

Next we took a rather thorough tour of the Midway. We didn't play any games. We didn't ride any rides. We just watched. It was crowded and noisy but, oh, what a good time people were having. It was really quite fun to watch. I remember being at the Fair when I was little. My younger brother Sam was in a stroller  which would have made him one or two and me four or five. Grandma Alice and Grandpa Louie were in town from up north to go visit the fair with us. We were just outside the midway because I remember looking in at all all the bright lights. Grandma had gotten a little stuffed toy somewhere at the Fair and I remember her handing it to Sam in his stroller. It don't recall us going in the Midway but I do remember the appeal and excitement that it seemed to offer. It was dark and probably just about time for us to leave so Sam and I coulc get to bed. It's still a lot of fun - even if you just watch.

State Fair 2013 - Minnepumpkin Pie

I found the second item on my food-quest list - the Minnepumpkin deep fried pie at the Minneapple Pie stand.  I got it with cinnamon ice cream. Heaven!

State Fair 2013 - Poutine

Dale had to get his ever-lovin' poutine. He tells me it's Canadian hangover food. I wouldn't know as I've never had a hangover in Canada.

State Fair 2013 - Crop Art

After Mike and family had departed, Dale and I faced the Fair on our own. Our first stop was the Ag/Hort Building to check out the crop art. I alway get a kick out of it.

State Fair 2013 - International Bazaar

When we stepped out of the Food Building we found ourself nextdoor to the haunted house. Kids dressed up as Michael Jackson, Jason Vorhees, Freddy Krueger, and an evil clown, etc. were doing the Thriller dance in the front yard of the haunted house.  When they finished dancing they tried to act fierce and  scary to lure people in.  There was something comical about seeing these monsters boogie down and get their groove on (which they did quite well, by the way) and then quickly transition to fright mode. We next headed to the International Bazaar where I noticed these Day of the Dead figurines. Charisse found a chartruese Scandinavian sweeter and Shayla stocked up on a few mermaid dolls at the Hmong booth. Mike, who recently picked up an additional job, joked that he now knew where his extra money would be going. Shortly After this, Shay and her friend conked out so Mike and Charisse had to get them home. It was fun spending time at the fair with them for a second year in a row.

State Fair 2013 - Lobster Mac

We next headed to the food building. Part of my food quest this trip involved getting the lobster mac and cheese at Oodles of Noodles in the Food Building. I scored some and it was delicious. Dale and Mike tried some of it and agreed that it was quite good.

State Fair 2013 - Butterhead

We next headed to the Dairy Building for ice cream for Charisse and Shay.  While they were in line I got a picture of a butterhead sculpture. She looks great, don't you think?

Sate Fair 2013 - Meeting Up with Friends

We found Mike and Charisse and their daughter Shay, who had brought along a friend, at the Fine Arts Building and decided to get some beverages. We stopped by O'Gara's. I got a Grain Belt Nordeast for Dale, white wine for Mike, and a hard lemonade for myself. Charisse got herself some water as she was quite dehydrated.

State Fair 2013 - Sunflowers

We also walked by a lovely patch of sunflowers. I love summer afternoons in late August. I'll bet the bee you see (look closely) in the bottom photo loves them too. I say with all seriousness that I hope her colony hasn't collapsed by the time she gets home. That is one scary problem these days.

State Fair 2013 - Machinery Hill

On our way to meet Mike and Charisse, Dale and I walked through Machinery Hill and found some charming retro tractors.

State Fair 2013 - Arrival

All the old anticipation was there. I had a professional development meeting today downtown and was thinking about the fair throughout the whole thing. They let us out a little early so I headed home and got Athena on a walk. When Dale got home we fed Athena earlier than usual and then left for the fair around 4:30. We drove city streets throu downtown and then eventually connected with Larpenteur Avenue and then parked in the Larpenteur Avenue lot. I texted Mike and Charisse to let them know we had arrived. They said they were at the Fine Arts Building so we headed that way.

Dale's Anticipation

Dale blogged today about the running and biking he's doing lately. He said:

"And I need to get these runs in, as well as the bike rides so I can shed as much weight as possible because the State Fair is starting on Thursday and, well, you know, there's poutine."

"And beer."

Yup, It's On the Way...

The fair starts on August 22.