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) - 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) - 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. 

Fair 2015 - Mike on the Midway

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: Poutine

Saturday, August 29, 2015

We found the poutine stand and indulged immediately. Mike and I both have some French Canadian in us so we love it. I suppose we’d still love it even if we weren’t French Canadian. I mean, French fries, cheese curds, and gravy all mixed together is pretty tasty no matter what your background, but I guess having that ancestry helps make it a bit more endearing.

Fair 2015 - Visit #1: Miracle of Birth Center

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Next stop, the Miracle of Birth Center. Mike’s friend Ashanka met up with us at this point. As we walked in we noticed a bunch of people gathered around a display. It was hard to see what they were looking at but being tall I was able to make out a pig’s head near the glass wall of the pen. Ashanka, being shorter, asked what it was. When I told her it was a pig, she put her hand up to her mouth and asked, “Are they roasting it?” In horror she ran off not even waiting for an answer. Mike retrieved her and we assured her the pig was not being roasted. The sow’s piglets were sleeping next to her. They were all under incubator lights, so we could see why Ashanka made the assumption of a pig roast. Had that actually been the case though, I’d have to say that would be a pretty sick display for the Miracle of Birth Center! Anyway, the little piggies started waking up and began to nurse. They were incredibly darling.

Fair 2015 - Visit #1: Mighty Midway

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Next stop: The Mighty Midway! Ashanka took Shay on a roller coaster. They next hit the new 4-story funhouse pictured below. Next Mike took them on the Ferris wheel. We didn’t have to wait too long for rides at all.

Fair 2015 - Visit #1: Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow

Saturday August 29, 2015

Took this picture of a closed entrance after we exited.

After all of this we found ourselves pooped and decided to call it a day. We hopped the park and ride bus back to the old Ford Plant parking lot in Highland Park. It was a lovely, quite, air-conditioned ride back. Mike pointed out the full moon, also reddish due to the wild fires. Awesome day at the Minnesota State Fair.

Found this photo on Mike Augustniak's Twitter page. EXACTLY what the moon looked like last night.