I started my day by packing up a bit of Mom & Dad to accompany me on day at the Fair! A bit creepy you may say, but this has been on my mind and is important in my grieving process.

My plan was to distribute them around the grounds in various places that hold special meaning for them and our family. I have a list of the places, so if you want to know, just ask me. At each location, I cried, laughed or just remembered. I know it might seem completely crazy, but it was healing.

I checked in at the Bailey House, armed with Moms voucher to claim her membership gifts. The last time they told me she was not on the list. I got her swag bag, sans coupon book. (I didn’t complain, I really didn’t need another one) and I learned she in fact bought another brick, but had yet to order it. We’ll see what next year brings.

It’s MPR day at the fair, and I had a plan to participate in Bring the Sing, led by Cantus, but I had some time to wander.

I checked out the “My Pillow” tent and looked over the dog beds, but at $89.99, even on sale, that’s an expensive snack for the land shark!

The Snake Zoo is still here, and still a bargain at $2.00.

The raptor out front kept his eye on me as I passed by!

I went to the MPR booth to get my member gift, a crossbody backpack, that I’ll never use. This summer MPR brought us coverage of a raccoon that scaled a building downtown and the whole twin cities was captivated by it and rooting for its survival & freedom! The MPR booth brought those memories to life in their banner and displays.

There is a giant coloring wall if you want to get your art on,

and an installation of colored strings representing regions of MN and by winding it around pegs representing the activities and things that are important to us, the overall art will show how much we are all the same, no matter where we are from.

There is an aviation exhibit I have seen posts about, but I had not found it until today. It’s on the corner near MPR, where there once was a truck dealer. I didn’t go in to research at all.

I knew my friend Trina and her mom were out and about. I had to make a quick deposit as I passed through the DNR. Luckily there is apparently zero fire danger today…

And I ran into a Kelsey Family cousin Sherrill Carlson who did just been chatting with at our reunion last weekend!

She volunteers for the Ely Wolf Center exhibit.

I headed over to find Trina and her mom near the grandstand, protected from the wind under an arch.

We three entered the bottom floor of the grandstand, with hopes to get through it all before the Cantus Sing Along. I zigged and zagged, while Trina & Mom made a straight line path around. I took much time buying clogs

and holder attachment for my phone. I’ve dropped it too many times to count, as my one handed picture taking skills are sub-par.

There are more phone & gadget booths this year.

Toys, puzzles, clothes & phone cords

and I was reminded that I’d buy a heavy container of laundry soap from Nellies every year for mom!

I’d meandered enough and Trina informed me they were ready to take the elevator to the top floor. I knew time was fleeting so I headed over to the MPR stage in Dan Patch park to get a very sunny, warm, front row seat. They set up umbrellas on the sides as I sat, but by then, the seats were all full.

Michael joined me in time for the Trivia and was the fastest correct answer to the corn dog question, winning a 89.3 The Current t-shirt, four sizes too small. They passed out sheet music and buttons, and we readied ourselves. Michael turned to me and said, he never thought he’d be a guy with State Fair swag on his hat…

There weren’t as many people as I thought there’d be, but we were surrounded by beautiful four part harmonies during the sing along portions. Cantus made up a new State Fair song as we sang along to the tune of a Happy and You Know It!

As the concert came to a close, a lady on a nearby bench collapsed to the ground. A man got up to aide, assuming he was a doctor & emergency services were on site pretty rapidly. Luckily she was helped onto the EMT cart, but using her own power. Thanks to all the local firefighters and police so volunteer their time out here!

We said our farewells to Trina & mom, and Michael & I walked over to the west end to find something different to eat.

One the way I ran into another dear Girl Scouting friend Shelley Rucks & friend.

Mike and I wanted something ~not fried~ and so we settled on the Swedish Meatball Smorgas at the  Blue Barn.

Swedish Meatballs resting in a sweet hoagie roll, covered on white gravy, pickle relish and lingonberries.  It was messy, kinda small, but quite tasty!

Mike needed one more food, a bit more filling, before heading to work for a busy Labor Day weekend in the furniture business!  He got himself a Bratwurst.  These guys do one thing and they do it well!

The day was heating up, and I had a list of drop sites for Mom & Dad, Michael joined me for one “distribution” and I grabbed my daily dose of blueberries.

He head to head to work, and I made my way up Cosgrove to scout out a few more drop sites. A few might be more complicated and require early morning or late night efforts.

I made three successful ash deposits, unnoticed and documented.

Then stopped by the alphabet forest to rest in the shade and eat my first Kiwanis Malt.

My volunteer friend Bree was manning the front entrance

and I ended up just sitting for almost an hour, catching pokemon, resting and a few people I knew found me!

I needed to walk, or I might never get up again.  I had some more scouting to do, so I headed to the Leinie bandshell and who finds me, but this wonderful family!

It’s an annual fair tradition to “find Ms. Heather!”

I wandered back into Ag/Hort, thinking I would revisit the Crop Art, but the lines were long and I ended up noticing the Orchid Show.  Mom loved orchids and grew them quite successfully!  Not only were there orchids, but this years theme, is “Purple Reign”!  I totally felt Mom’s presence as I walked through and took pictures of ~all~ of them!

I left the Orchid exhibit, walked around the hexagon and at the next exhibit hall, was the Bonsai Society display. 

I have no idea if these two organizations have their displays here every year on the same dates, but for me, today, this was a sign.  Dad loved Bonsai and took classes and created some of his own.  Some of these trees have been in training for 50-80 years!

Mom & Dad were with me in more ways than one today!

My friend Andrea was heading back over to the fair today with friends and we connected in the Creative Activities building.  I finally discovered the decorated cookie display, after thinking I had seen every nook & cranny….just goes to show, you an never see it all in twelve days.

I was also so obsessed with the Springerle exhibit, that I failed to notice the doughnut display right next door!  Those are what we call Grandma donuts! I hope that y aunt Kathy isn’t the only family member who knows how they’re made!  I might need to take lessons from her this year!

I headed to the Baldwin park and took in a talent show and found a couple friends! I haven’t seen David since early on and this was Cynthia’s first time out!  After the show, they had a mission for cookies and I took a quick picture of them before we parted ways.  I wasn’t sure I’d see them again this fair season!

I didn’t really ~need~ another freezer bag from the Farm Bureau building, but as I walked by I realized that this year you get a red spatula!  Who doesn’t need a new spatula!  (well…me…but I got one anyway)  I also got a bag of something to use in my classroom.

I didn’t even look in this until after the fair, but the contents are cute and would make a good curriculum supplement, but not for two year olds!

Right next door is the Medica tent, there was no waiting so I walked right up, spun the wheel and got myself a kazoo!

I was hungry and realized I had eaten nothing but part of a meatball smorgasbord and pie today so I grabbed a Peters chili dog. Awesome choice @ almost 8pm… not.

I needed to return to the 4H building after 8pm, as one of my “drop sites” needed to be cleared out and accessible and I knew that would happen when the buildings closed.  I made my way back up the hill and Andrea and friends were at Giggles.  I texted and asked if they’d ever seen the Laser show and they hadn’t so they saved me a seat and I made my way to join them.  I ran into this kid sitting on a bench!  (Her mom spent the previous evening at the talent show with me…”damn you Pavarotti!”)

I had to get some after hours ashes deposited in a significant spot, but it was still too soon. I then joined Andrea et al outside of the Fine Art Building. Andrea finally got her kettle corn!

The laser show is new this year, but similar to years past. I took some video clips.

Next year we’ll try sitting on a bench in the street as the lasers create a horizontal image on the sky overhead.

After the show, I accomplished my mission outside the 4H building, to honor Mom who was involved in 4H and where the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church booth was housed that Dad & I managed in the 70’s & 80’s. (I came back Sunday early to get this picture.)

Today was a tearful one, memory after memory hitting me hard, but also healing in remembering all the awesome things that make this place so special.

I wasn’t done with my mission, but I got word that Gray arrived safely home from St. Olaf and we’d spend the weekend together finishing the job.