Fair 2015 - Visit #1: Away We Go...

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Last weekend Mike and I set up a date for me to join his family on a trip to the great Minnesota State Fair. I’ve been looking forward to it all week and today’s the day!

The weather always changes during the second half of August from the hot and humid days of high summer to the warm and less humid days that are typical now. Evenings have changed from warm to pleasantly cool. When this happens in mid-August, shortly after my birthday, I catch myself saying, “Feels like [State] Fair weather!”

Today had that definite fair time weather feel. I drove over to Mike and Charisse’s house around 3 pm. On the way over I heard MPR reporting that the Black Lives Matter protest near the entrance to the fair was just finishing up. The event was peaceful and went without incidence.

Charisse’s three sisters were in from out-of-town to make the trip to the fair with us. It was nice to meet Cathy, Cindy, and Char after having heard about them over the last few years. Mike and Charisse’s daughter Shay accompanied us as well.

As last year we did the park-and-ride deal again. There are numerous free lots in which to park located all over the metro area. Once parked, chartered, air-conditioned, Greyhound-type busses pick you up and deliver you to the gates of the fairground. The bus ride is free as well. Charisse bought our admission tickets in advance at Cub Foods (a locale grocery store chain) so we didn’t have to wait in line to buy tickets. Slick.

Fair 2015 - Visit #1: Crowds Galore

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Upon entering the fair it was visibly apparent how crowded it actually was. None of that deterred us from doing everything we wanted to do. For such large group we really did a good job negotiating getting around to all the sites/sights we wanted to see. 

Fair 2015 - Visit #1: Blue Moon Dine-In Theater

Saturday, August 29, 2015

My number 1 goal for this trip was to get the chilled bread pudding at the Blue Moon Dine-In Theater. We went there first since it was closest to the entrance. Every year Blue Moon introduces some new wonderful sweet thang. Last year it was the sweet corn ice cream and this year it was the chilled bread pudding. There were different varieties but I went with the chocolate brownie bread asked chocolate sauce, pecans, and whipped cream on top. It was fantastic.

Fair 2015 - Visit #1: The Food Building

Saturday, August 29, 2015

We next stopped at the Food Building to get Shay some cheese curds. I love cheese curds but I can never eat more than 1 or 2 pieces before I’m done-in so I never buy any on my own. There are probably about 15 pieces per order. Anyway, the line was INSANE so we headed off to check out the International Bazaar. There was  lots to see once we got there. Fortuitously, the band, The Good, The Bad, and the Funky was playing on the main stage there. They’re a great local cover band and were doing Purple Rain upon our arrival. A contingent of our group went in search of restrooms and while the rest of us waited I got a phone call from Mom. When I told here were I was she wished us a good time and told me she’s looking forward to seeing A Prairie Home Companion at the Grandstand with Dale and me next week. I can’t wait. I’m guessing it’ll be his last State Fair appearance with the show since he’s retiring from the program this year. 

Fair 2015 - Visit #1: Sea of Humanity

Saturday, August 29, 2015

As we headed up Judson Avenue to look for poutine we got another good look at how massive the crowds were. There’s a spot on Judson where there’s a dip in the street allowing a good view of the sea of humanity.