State Fair 2019 - See You Next Year

Changing the sign to reflect the dates the 2020 fair.

(Photo from the Minnesota State Fair's Instagram page.)

State Fair 2019 - Attendance

Another years's gone by and a new attendance record.

(Photo from the Minnesota State Fair's Instagram page.)

State Fair 2019 - Fairborne and Fairchild & The 50th Anniversary of the Giant Slide

State Fair 2019 (Second Visit) - Walking Back to the Car

Friday, August 30, 2019

Another great visit to the fair under our belts. It's always fun to be at the fair after dark to enjoy the lights and it was great to spend some time with Mike and Charisse as it's been a few years since we've been to the fair with them. I love the walk back to the parking lot after dark. It's peaceful and dotted with strings of lights and all in all just rather romantic. 

State Fair 2019 (Second Visit) - Ferris wheel

Friday, August 30, 2019

After the Giant Slide Dale and I both decided we were ready to call it a night. The last thing on my list for this trip to the fair was to get some Tom Thumb donuts which I knew I could get at a stand on the way to the north end entrance/exit. We stopped to see the Ferris wheel on our walk back. Neither Dale nor I had any desire to wait in the insanely long line to ride it but had no problem watching it for a couple minutes as it sure is pretty. 

State Fair 2019 (Second Visit) - The Giant Slide

Friday, August 30, 2019

We made it to The Giant Slide and discovered the line for tickets to be very short. Dale surprised me by saying he wanted to go so we purchased a couple tickets, hopped in line, grabbed our mats and made the hike up the stairs. 

This year is the 50th anniversary of the Giant Slide.

The line for tickets was short.

Lots of steps to get to the top.

Obviously it takes longer to get to the top than down to the bottom.

Quite fun for just $2.50. Wow, 1969, 50 years ago. I don't exactly remember it but Mom says I was there. Mom, Dad, Grandma Alice and Grandpa Louie came in the late 1960s starting the year or maybe the year after I was born. I'm still attending more than half a century later. 

State Fair 2019 (Second Visit) - Blue Moon Dine-In Theater

Friday, August 30, 2019

After finishing our Dole Whips at the midway our next stop was the Giant Slide. On our way there we ran into Brenda, an old high school friend of mine from my graduating class. They say you always run into someone you know at the fair. On our first visit we saw someone we know from Buster's Grill and this time it was Brenda and her friend Karen who were taking a little break from watching a country band that was performing near Andy's Grill. My high school reunion is coming up this October so I should see Brenda again there. 

After taking our leave of Brenda and Karen we passed the Blue Moon which was showing an old episode of The Facts of Life. We had to stop and watch for a couple minutes. 80s nostalgia of course.

State Fair 2019 (Second Visit) - Midway

Friday, August 30, 2019

We walked around with our Dole Whips and ended up at the Midway. This ride (and any other ride that rocks or spins) would be a no-no for me. I posted the above video Facebook and someone asked me if I knew the name of the ride. I didn't. Another person suggested it should be called Migraine and Barf. Seems fitting. The person running the ride got on the speaker a couple times while the ride was in motion and was very clear that if anyone took out a cell phone or a vaping device she would shut the ride down. I can see why. I wouldn't want to be hit on the head with one.

State Fair 2019 (Second Visit) - Dole Whip

Friday, August 30, 2019

After my corn dog I decided to get a Dole Whip. Dale surprised me in that he wanted one too. The choice was between pineapple, raspberry, or a swirl combo of the two. We went with the pineapple in a waffle cone. The last time I had a Dole Whip was at a tiki bar in Las Vegas this past spring. It was delicious.

State Fair 2019 (Second Visit) - Corn Dog

Friday, August 30, 2019

Mike and Charisse left at around 9:00 p.m. They had arrived at 2:00 p.m. so they were pretty conked out. Dale and I, however, still had a little spring in our step so we continued on. I stopped to get a corn dog with mustard, of course. 

State Fair 2019 (Second Visit) - Crop Art and Leine Lodge

Friday, August 30, 2019

After the cattle barn we headed over to the Agriculture Horticulture Building to check out the crop art. The lines were unbearably long so we skipped it. 

Next stop after Mike and I picked up some cider was the Tony! Toni! Tone! concert at the Leine Lodge Bandshell. They're a band from the late 80s thru the 90s and although I couldn't name any of their hits I have to say they're a great band based on what I heard. 

State Fair 2019 (Second Visit) - Cattle Barn

Friday, August 30, 2019

Love visiting the moo cows. We checked out a cow getting a trim.  The above photo shows Mike looking on. 

 We talked to a young woman from Stevens county who leases a cow to take care of as a part of 4-H.

The cattle barn is a massive place. Just be sure to watch where you step. 

State Fair 2019 (Second Visit) - Swine Barn

Friday, August 30, 2019

Next stop - the swine barn. The piglets were nursing. We noticed one came around to the other side to rest near mama pig's head. We figured that one must have started nursing first and was well sated. 

The next pen over held the largest boar. 

Yep, at almost 12 hundred pounds I'd say he's pretty large. 

State Fair 2019 (Second Visit) - Horse Barn

Friday, August 30, 2019

Out behind the animal barns looking toward the Midway.

After eating, the four of us ventured to the animal barns. On our way there I told Mike and Charisse the story of my encounter last year with a passing cow who seemed to think I was the bees' knees. We went in the front entrance of the horse barn  and we passed through on our way to the exit we noticed there were fewer and fewer horses in the stalls. Dale said, "Is there a particular horse you're looking for."

State Fair 2019 (Second Visit) - Blue Moon Diner

Friday, August 30, 2019

You can see Dale waiting for our food in the center of the photo.

We arrived at the Blue Moon Diner for sustenance. Dale ordered a veggie burger and I got some pepperoni pizza. While we waited Charisse went to search for fries and pop while Mike got a beer. The Diner was showing North By Northwest which would've been fun to see. 

The food was great, by the way. 

I've always loved looking toward the Midway in the early evening hours and seeing the sun go down in the west. 

State Fair 2019 (Second Visit) - Arrival

Friday, August 30, 2019

Last day of workshops before the kids arrive this coming Tuesday. I got as much done as I could today but I don't think you can ever be 100% ready for the first day of school. Late this afternoon Dale and I headed back to the fair for our second visit of the year. En route I said to Dale, ";salkdfj;asldkf." He responded, ";alkdfjj." Awww!! What a perfectly gorgeous day. As we walked onto the grounds at the north entrance I decided I'd be okay with heaven being the State Fair on a day just like today. 

Seventy-two degrees, low humidity, beautiful blue sky, fluffy white clouds. Who could ask for a better day for the fair. 

We met Mike and Charisse at the north end plaza around 6:15 or so and ventured forth to to find some food for Dale and me. 

State Fair 2019 (First Visit) - Haunted House

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Dale and I had a chance to visit the History and Heritage Center at the West End Market and I took some pics of interesting things. I've only been through the Haunted House once way back in 1981. I didn't like it that much as the ghouls would come up and touch and brush up against you. I don't know if they allow them to do that any more. 

State Fair 2019 (First Visit) - The Giant Slide

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Dale and I had a chance to visit the History and Heritage Center at the West End Market and I took some pics of  interesting information. The Giant Slide is 50 years old this year. Didn't make it on this visit so I'll just have to get in another visit this year so I can do that. We may be going this coming Friday with Mike and Charisse.

Here's a picture of a couple that was married on the slide back in 1996. Now why didn't I think of that for my wedding!?

State Fair 2019 (First Visit) - Ye Old Mill

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Dale and I had a chance to visit the History and Heritage Center at the West End Market and I took some pics of some interesting information.

I went on it for the first time a few years ago in 2013 with Dale. He didn't get it. The ride dates to 1915 so it's now over 100 years old. 

State Fair 2019 (First Visit) - One More Before We Go

Sunday, August 25, 2019

With Babe the Big Blue Ox

State Fair 2019 (First Visit) - Selfies

Sunday, August 25, 2019

We had to leave around 5:30 p.m. so we could get home to feed Athena by 6:00. We stopped on the way out of the North End entrance for some more selfies. This time I convinced Dale to join me.

State Fair 2019 (First Visit) - Fine Arts Building

Sunday, August 25, 2019

After the let up of the  downpour that occurred while at the Blue Moon we ventured back outside to get me some corn on the cob. It started to sprinkle very lightly as we were on the move but it wasn't nearly enough to make us want to seek shelter. I got my corn and ate it as we walked to the Fine Arts Building where we had a chance to look at some very interesting pieces. Here are some of my favorites this year:

Longboard Kens by Nick Houff

The Bystanders by Sue Howe

Hiawatha Grain Elevators by Rod Massey

Clarity Through Cloudy Waters by Isaiah W. Flemister

Minnesota Gothic by Kristi L. Abbott

Ice Cream and Hot Dogs by Ralph Berlovitz

By the way, it rained again pretty hard while Dale and I were in the Fine Arts Building. Magically it let up just around the time we finished up!