State Fair 2018 (First Visit) - Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum

Saturday, August 25, 2018

The following is from the State Fair walking tour brochure:

"Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum"

"Opened 1951; renamed in 1975 and 2006"

"Then: State Fair livestock competitions were held in large tents until 1906, when the Livestock Amphitheater became the home to horse shows and livestock judging in summer and an ice rink during winter. It was known as the Hippodrome, named for the ancient Greek stadiums used for horse and chariot racing. After being used as a military aircraft propeller factory during WWII, the buildling became structurally unsound and was razed. The present building, which opened in 1951, is designed like a military armory, strong and sturdy with two beautiful carved reliefs on the north side that depict the state motto, l'Etoile du Nord (The Star of the North).

"Now: The 5,200-seat Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum is a popular destination for fairgoers, particularly to watch the Supreme Six-Horse-Hitch class. For many, the Coliseum will forever be associated with ice hockey. The building's indoor ice rink closed in 2014 due to increasing maintenance costs, but it had been the place to see high school, college, and semipro games for decades."

State Fair 2018 (First Visit) - CHS Miracle of Birth Center

Saturday, September 25, 2018

According to the according to the State Fair walking tour brochure:

"CHS Miracle of Birth Center"

"Opened 2001, moved to current location 2006"

"Then: Oohing and ahhing over baby animals has been a fair tradition since 1956, when the Future Farmers of America (now the National FFA Organization) created the Children's Barnyard. The Miracle of Birth Center exhibit joined the Children's Barnyard in 2001 and gave fairgoers a chance to reflect on the importance of four-legged creatures to Minnesota's well-being. Quickly outgrowing its space, it moved to its current location and was renamed CHS Miracle of Birth and FFA Chapter House & Leadership Center."

"Now: About a million visitors come to see 150 to 200 calves, goats, piglets, and lambs being born during the run of the fair. Animal species are chosen based on their tolerance for people watching their birthing process. The Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association coordinates over 150 volunteer veterinarians to staff the center, as well as University of Minnesota interns and FFA members who feed and care for the animals."

State Fair 2018 (First Visit) - J.V. Bailey House

Saturday, August 25, 2018

According to the walking tour brochure:

"Built in 1911, restored 2006"

"Then: The State Fair's green thumbs once 'planted themselves' at the J.V. Bailey House. From 1916 to 2004, greenhouse superintendents and groundskeepers resided year-round at the 1911 American foursquare-style home. They watched over the greenhouse and took care of the iconic canna, the beautiful red-and-yellow tropical flowers growing by the thousands throughout the fairgrounds. The house is named for J.V. Bailey, founder of Bailey Nurseries, Agricultural Society superintendent of horticulture (1912-1932) and board member (1924-1934)."

"Now: Since 2006, the Bailey House has been home to the Minnesota State Fair Foundation. Founded in 2002, the foundation preserves and improves the historic Minnesota State Fair's buildings, the fairgrounds, and educational programs Stop by to learn how you can become a Friend of the Fair."

State Fair 2018 (First Visit) - Fairchild the Gopher

Saturday, August 25, 2018

My next stop on the walking tour was Fairchild the Gopher. 

The sign reads: 

Fairchild the Gopher 
Introduced 1966
Then: Fairchild has served as the State Fair mascot since 1966 when he was named in a statewide contest.
Now: Come see this friendly Minnesota gopher and his sidekick and nephew, Fairborne, in the daily fair parade.

According to the walking tour brochure: 

"Then: With his pinstriped jacket, straw hat, and buck-toothed grin, Fairchild has served as the State Fair mascot since 1966, when he was named in a statewide contest. Fairchild's name pays tribute to Henry S. Fairchild, a prominent St. Paul citizen who lobbied for the fair's current location. During the fair's early years it traveled to various cities, and both Minneapolis and St. Paul vied to be chosen as the permanent home. In 1885, it was Fairchild who persuaded the battling burgs to choose a permanent site between the two - on 210 donated acres of the Ramsey County Poor Farm in Hamline, today's Falcon Heights."

"Now: This twenty-four-foot tall, fiberglass Fairchild sculpture depicts our favorite gopher dressed as a carnival barker. Other versions of Fairchild through the years can be seen at the History & Heritage Center in the West End Market. You too can spot Fairchild in the daily parade, accompanied by his sidekick and nephew, Fairborne, who was introduced to the fair in 1983."

State Fair 2018 (First Visit) - Space Tower Part 2

Saturday, August 25, 2018

The Fair's website describes the Space Tower as such: "A State Fair staple since 1965, the Space Tower is your ticket to see breathtaking views of the fairgrounds and beyond! This slowly circulating ride provides a 360-degree look at the Twin Cities."

I'm curious to know exactly how many miles away one can see.

State Fair 2018 (First Visit) - Space Tower Part 1

Saturday, August 26, 2018

This was the year for a couple of firsts for me: one, going to the fair by myself, and two, riding the Space Tower. I've been meaning to do it for years and just never got around to it. Well, it finally happened and what a thrill. I felt like a kid again as it began its ascent to the top of the needle. The only thing that would have made it better would've been some sun. 

There wasn't much of a line which, in part, influenced my decision to give it a try. Slightly cooler temps and lack of having to wait in the beating sun didn't hurt either. 

State Fair 2018 (First Visit) - International Bazaar & Siama Part 2

Saturday, August 25, 2018

I found the following on Siama's Facebook page:

State Fair 2018 (First Visit) - International Bazaar & Siama Part1

Saturday, August 25, 2018

Decided to head next to the International Bazaar and it was here I committed to doing the walking tour of the Fair.

The sign says: International Bazaar. Built 1970, renamed in 1984 and 2008. 

Then: The Mexican Village opened in 1970 and was instantly popular. It was renamed the Bazaar in 1984 and the International Bazaar in 2008.

Now: The International Bazaar features food, products, music, and art from many cultures.

While at the Bazaar I noticed an awesome fanny pack at the Vagabond Imports booth. I bought it with the intention of using it right away. 

A group called Siama, named after its leader, was playing on the stage so I sat down to listen for a bit. They were quite good and the rest of the crowd seemed to agree with me. 

I walked around the Bazaar some more and made mental notes about what I might like to purchase next time I'm here.

State Fair 2018 (First Visit) - Arrival

Saturday, August 25, 2018

I was excited to find myself on the grounds by about 10 a.m. On the way I came across the sunflower patch. This one was above my head but I got a pretty good shot of it anyway:

After being stuck in the car and then walking 8 blocks to the grounds I was in desperate need of a potty break and food. I found a bathroom and then made a beeline for the Tom Thumb mini donut stand. I was so hungry I ate the whole bag. Often times mini donuts are my final food item at the fair so I'm usually not quite able to finish the whole bag.

State Fair 2018 (First Visit) - Getting There Is Half the Battle

Saturday, August 25, 2018

Dale's on the Island this weekend and a good number of my friends are not fans of the fair (at least not go-every-year fans like I am) so I decided to try the fair on my own for the first time ever. Getting there was a challenge. I decided to use the Fair's north lots for parking figuring if I left early enough I'd be fine. On the road by 8:00 a.m. I took East Hennepin Avenue to Larpenteur and found myself stuck in line for an hour and a half. Welcome to the mania that dwells in my brain for the Minnesota State Fair. At Cleveland and Larpenteur the light turned red before I made it through the intersection. The man in the lane next to me pulled up and into the crosswalk and I noticed he had his turn signal on. When the light turned green he zipped ahead of me and cut me off. I made it through the intersection but was sticking out into traffic. Another car pulled up behind me but was in the intersection when the light turned again. The man who cut me off had half a car length in front of him. I tried to pull up a little for the car behind me and accidentally tapped the creep in front of me. He got out of his car and started to berate me with expletives. I tried to explain that I was trying to pull forward for the car behind me and did not understand why he couldn't pull forward when he had so much room. He got back in his car and stared at me from his side mirror. He eventually pulled out of the lane and sped off but not before flipping me off. So much for Minnesota Nice. 

Stuck on Larpenteur Avenue.

Anyway, I endured the line for about another half hour. When I finally made it to the lot entrance I noticed the sign saying the lot was full. So excited was I to make it to the fair I found my resolve undeterred and found street parking about 8 blocks away from the fair. I know I'm a nut.

State Fair 2018 - Bridgeman's Ice Cream

Friday, August 10, 2018

Okay, there are still about a couple weeks left before the State Fair opens but I'm getting excited. Actually, I started getting excited about it in early June as school was letting out. Anyway, I saw a post for Bridgeman's ice cream on Facebook today and it looks like they have a presence at the fair. 

Here's the text of the post:

"We are excited to have been approved to add a new sundae to our menu at the Minnesota State Fair! Introducing our Campfire Marble...9 layers of chocolate ice cream, chocolate sauce and whip cream topped off with crushed graham cracker and mini marshmallows! Who is going to stop by and try one? You can find us on the corner of Judson and Liggett across from the Coliseum."

As a kid, Bridgeman's was my favorite ice cream parlour. You could sit down (which we often did), or you could just order cones to go at the counter (which we often did as well).  The only restaurant left is in Duluth but the ice cream is available at a number of scoop shops and grocery stores in the Twin Cities. Anyway, can't wait to try the sundae pictured above.