12-12-12

Dale and I took this ride during the 2012 State Fair. It's the first time I've ever been on it. Fancy that.

State Fair 2012 - Attendance

State Fair attendance hit 1,788,512 this year. The record was set in 2009 at 1,790,497 which is a difference of just 1,985 people.

State Fair 2012 - Labor Day

Well, it's Labor Day. That means it's the last day of the Fair for 2012. I'm really disappointed that we didn't make it for a second visit but I guess there's always next year. Here's to the Minnesota State Fair for 2013!

Note: The above picture was photo shopped to look like a painting from I shot I took at the Fair on August 24, 2012. Looks pretty good if I do say so myself...

State Fair 2012 - Amy

We walked by Amy Klobachar's booth and I noticed that although there were a few people working the stand there was not a single person gathered outside it. Dale said that Amy had literally left just minutes before we walked by and the crowd was dispersed. Here's a photo I found of a busier moment with Amy speaking from the booth. Amy Klobachar is the daughter of former Star Tribune columnist Jim Klobachar. I read his column growing up.

State Fair 2012 - Ticket

State Fair 2012 - Ya Just Never Know Who You Might Run Into...

State Fair 2012 - Cereal Killer Ice Cream

This was on my list to try this year and try I did. How was it? Fantastic! It was made up of vanilla ice cream and topped with Honey Nut Cheerios, bananas, and caramel. Divine.

State Fair 2012 - Vote No

There's going to be a marriage amendment on the ballot this fall. The amendment would define marriage as being "between one man and one woman." Mike, Charisse, Dale, and I all noticed that there were a lot of Vote No signs on sticks being used as fans around the fairgrounds. The fans were mini versions of the lawn signs a lot of folks around town are displaying in their yards. The DFL booth had a couple of the actual lawn signs and are pictured above. Displayed in the crop are exhibit is the seed art that is also pictured above. We couldn't find the actual Vote No booth.

State Fair 2012 - Space Tower Part 2

Mike told me that one of his old neighbors in the neighborhood where he grew up was the owner of the Space Tower. Mike's friend Andy used to work at the attraction as a teen and said he got to ride it as much as he liked.

State Fair 2012 - Space Tower

I really wanted to try the Space Tower this year as I've never been on it before.  Mike, Charisse, Dale and I, sat under a giant umbrella near the base of the tower to eat some food. When we were finished I mentioned that I wanted to give it a go but changed my mind pretty quickly when Charisse mentioned that there is no air conditioning on it and that there really is no air flow. Being it was hot and humid I decided I'd wait until another visit. 

State Fair 2012 - More Photos from the Cattle Barn

State Fair 2012 - The Cattle Barn

It was fun to have Mike and Charisse's daughter Shayla, and Shayla's friend Jessica along at the Fair. I don't think I've been to the fair with elementary aged kids since I was a kid myself.  Now, Charisse says the girls have always loved going to see the animal barns in previous years, but this year when she asked them their response was "No, it stinks in there." This response was not surprising since the girls are just entering their pre-teen years. Their attitudes changed however when they adjusted to the smell of the cattle barn and saw how cute the baby cows were. Clarence (pictured above) was the youngest of all the cows having been born on July 30th of this year. The girls found him to be pretty cute. I did too.

State Fair 2012 - Creative Activities

I generally don't make it to the Education Building since I'm surrounded by all things educational a good percentage of my waking hours, but Mike and Charisse wanted to go so I decided to tag along. Shayla and her friend Jessica wanted to go to the Creative Activities Building which is right next door. I can't remember the last time (if ever) I went there. Lot's of interesting things like quilts, miniatures, other crafts, but also baked goods and other foods. The cakes and honey pictured above looked particularly delicious to me.

State Fair 2012 - Second Food Stop

The scone with sausage gravy from the French Meadow Bakery was EXCELLENT! Absolutely delicious and it's not even on a stick! Dale and I are going to the Fair again this Friday. I want to get this again. It was THAT good.

State Fair 2012 - Minnesota Apples

Another attraction in the Agriculture/Horticulture building is the Minnesota Apples exhibit. I'm always drawn to them because they look so pretty and good to eat. This year I bought a tall cold glass of apple cider. After all the salty food I had been eating and a high during the day of 90 degrees, it was much needed. It was quite delicious too. 

State Fair 2012 - First Food Stop

My first food stop? Mini-Donuts, of course! The Tom Thumb brand are my favorite. Photo of crop art found online.

State Fair 2012 - Crop Art Part 1

There's so much to see and do at the Fair that I don't always get to all the things I like. But if there's one thing I've done consistently every  year though, it's crop art. I love the kitschy fun of it all.

State Fair 2012 - Crop Art Part 2

Crop Art

State Fair 2012 - Crop Art Part 3

Crop Art

State Fair 2012 - Crop Art Part 4

crop art