State Fair 2018 (First Visit) - Machinery Hill

Saturday, August 25, 2018

The following is from the State Fair walking tour brochure:

"Machinery Hill"

"Named in 1909"

"Then: Farm implements have been a part of the State Fair since its beginning. And for more than 100 years, Minnesota farmers have found the latest and greatest in agricultural equipment atop Machinery Hill. In its prime, nearly 80 acres displayed farm implements and vehicles that gave visitors a glimpse into the future of farming. Countless kids were in awe of the giant tractors and combines. In 1957, there was a surprise attraction - two young bison at the Deere and Webber Co. exhibit!"

"Now: New agricultural and industrial equipment still find a home on Machinery Hill, along with the Old Iron show that celebrates antique farm machinery - a nod to what once was. The hill also features the little Farm Hands exhibit, a fun place for kids to learn about agriculture from the field to the grocery store."

State Fair 2018 (First Visit) - Swine Barn (with Sheep)

Saturday, August 25, 2018

Half of the Swine Barn was filled with sheep.

There were a couple of sheep judging contests going on while I made my way through.

State Fair 2018 (First Visit) - Swine Barn

Saturday, August 25, 2018

The following is from the State Fair walking tour brochure:

"Swine Barn"

"Built 1936"

"Then: The large red-brick Swine Barn was completed in 1936. It was one of more than a dozen structures on the fairgrounds built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a federal program that created jobs for people during the Great Depression. During the WWII years, exhibitions of livestock and poultry were suspended as the government converted all of the animal barns, including the Swine Barn, into a military aircraft propeller plant."

"Now: Through the years, judging standards for swine have changed; in the 1940s, livestock judging handbooks described the ideal hog as 'excessively fat.' Today, judges look for muscle, not fat. One of the Swine Barn highlights is seeing the winner of the Largest boar category; in 2010, crossbred swine 'Reggie' weighed in at 1,450 pounds. Grab a pig ear headband at the Oink Booth, and go on a quest to discover what weights the most this year - the largest boar or the giant pumpkin in the Agriculture Horticulture Building."

Minnesota State Fair 2015 - Dates

Big Balloon Dog 2014

August 29, 2014

Garrison Keillor 2014

Garrison Keillor

Minnesota State Fair

August 29, 2014

Gopher Glasses 2014

When I showed up at the Fair with Mike and Charisse on August 23, we saw a bunch of people walking around in these wild shades. I turned out there are the cartoon eyes of the University of Minnesota's gopher mascot. I decided I had to have a pair. Charisse and I looked everywhere and finally asked someone where they got them. It turns out it was a U of M booth not far from the Education Building. When we arrived they were, alas, out of stock. We were told they'd be handing out free backpacks soon. I politely declined. I didn't want a backpack. I wanted gopher glasses.

Photo from the internet.

State Fair 2014 - View of the Midway from Martha's

Skyride 2014

 Sunday, August 31, 2014

State Fair 2014 - Sweet Martha's Cookies

Sunday, August 31, 2014

Fair Attendance

Found the above information at the History and Heritage Center. 

It turns out 2014 has been a record breaking year for attendance at the Fair. 1.8 million people attended The Fair this year. That's 34, 000 more people than the previous record. The surge was likely due to the new West End Market and also better overall weather than last year.

This was a record breaking year for me as well. I made it to The Fair three times this year. That's a first for me!

Third Visit 2014 - Giant Inflatable Dog

Sunday, August 31, 2014
I had to say goodbye to my favorite giant inflatable dog before leaving.

Third Visit 2014 - Giant Sing Along

Sunday, August 31, 2014

On the walk back to the parking lot, Dale and I just had to stop by the Giant Sing Along as we had so much fun there last year. We stopped by as they were about to begin Bennie and the Jets by Elton John. Sorry to say that this song just not lend itself well to sing-along. We couldn't figure out how it made the playlist. Last year we caught them playing We Are Young by Fun and Don't Stop Believing by Journey. These songs worked. 

Third Visit 2014 - The Giant Gopher Part 2

Sunday, August 31, 2014

Wow. Three times to the Fair this year. My most EVER. And no, Dale, the gopher did not have any corn stuck between his teeth. I was just kidding.

Third Visit 2014 - The Giant Gopher Part 1

Sunday, August 31, 2014

Third Visit 2014 - Creative Activities Building

Sunday, August 31, 2014

Third Visit 2014 - DNR Building

 

Sunday, August 31, 2014
I've never been to the DNR Building but we decided to give it a try since it was on the Minnesota Historical Society's walking tour of the Fair. We found out that the building, which resembles a classic looking lodge, turned 80 years old this year and ran into a couple of different versions of Smokey the Bear.

Third Visit 2014 - The Blue Barn

Sunday, August 31, 2014

The Blue Barn is another food option in the West End Market. We didn't make it there this year but will make a point of it next year.

Third Visit 2014 - Lulu's Public House

Sunday, August 31, 2014

While in the West End Market, Dale and I stopped for a bite to eat at Lulu's. We both got the walleye tacos. They were wonderful. Fried walleye and cole slaw in a soft shell taco. Mike got the same thing when I was here with him.

Third Visit 2014 - Christmas Ornament

Sunday, August 31, 2014
These are some metal Christmas ornaments we found being sold in the West End Market.