I wrote this ten years ago today. It was a very different time but there was a recession then too but there wasn’t a pandemic and so we got to go to the fair. My memories of it go way back to my childhood. I remember my Grandfather who was a farmer showing me the livestock and my father taking me to machinery hill. There are so many more memories. The fairgrounds changed over the years but still look and smell much the way they did when I was 5 years old.
From August 27th, 2010:
Last night I went to the Minnesota State Fair. I am a little slow getting my post out this morning because I kind of overdid it. I ate things that a grown-up probably should not eat. I walked a few miles and took a lot of photos. There is nothing like the state fair. I tried to find one photo that sums it all up but I couldn’t so I have two photos. But we can pretend it is just one. I wanted to use three photos but I thought that would make pretending harder.
People actually pay money to go up in the air so that they can be hurled around. Their screams can be heard throughout the midway. I don’t do up but it is fun to watch.
The giant stuffed pig is a popular midway prize this year. The barkers are out in full force encouraging people to put their money downplay the game and win the pig. Some people do actually win a pig. What would you do to win a pig?
The weather was amazing last night and just being there was fun. The fair changes a little every year yet it is one of the few things that are just like it was when I was a child. I had to see the animals and the half-ton pumpkins with the ribbons. All you can drink for a dollar milk booth is still there as always and MPR has a booth that says “lake woebegone” on it and I saw people carrying those free yardsticks that the farm bureau gives away. There is a wide variety of food that comes on a stick. Life is good!
