I knew I had to get to the fair before buildings opened and security arrived at some of my Ash deposit locations.  Gray wanted to accompany me on this mission, despite the late, beverage over consumption, night before.  I was up at 5 am, made coffee, showered and prepared our usual “day-one” peanut butter toast breakfast, on this second to the last day of the fair. The dog wanted our breakfast, but I wasn’t sharing!

The youth was less than enthusiastic, but yet still willing to rise and join me.  The day was grey and cloudy with rain predicted in the coming hours.  We had a mission and limited time to complete it.

We first walked over to the Leinie Bandshell fenced off garden area. This was my target placement. I got a picture and told Gray that I wished that black cable wasn’t in the way and maybe I could move it if it wasn’t holding up the tree… Gray informed me it was holding up the roof of the bandshell!

We headed up the the 4H building to make the final area deposits! And took in some sights on a cloudy morning!

We had time to kill before the buildings opened and we wandered around the Grandstand Plaza, searching for a brick that purchased so many years ago for my Uncle John Kopper. Many of the original bricks are illegible and maybe next year I’ll have to inquire about a “brick map”. We didn’t find John’s but I found a few I recognized!

And one I just agree with!

Walking over towards Mom & Dad’s bench, with one task remaining we passed by this awesome tree. Only in the quiet without the crowds do I notice this kind of stuff!

We rested on the bench, checked the weather forecast on our phones and I got busy getting Mom & Dad ready to stay with the bench for a while! Duct tape, up inside the seat edge….

The youth was happy to rest while I walked to catch a Pokémon. On my way I found cows and horses!

The rain was coming soon, we could feel it. We walked up to the top of the grandstand ramp and ducked under the awning as we waited for it to open @9am. Us and 200 other people!

The Building finally opened and now it was going to ~crowded~ and hot with the pouring rains outside. We went straight to Turman to get a reluctant Abbey Road picture of the youth

I was looking for more merchandise that had the logo on Allies water bottle… a sloth and it said “don’t hurry, be happy”! We went through the entire upper level twice, looking at shops that all seemed similar before finding it ~right next to~ the grandstand ramp doors, across from Turman. They only had the extra large water bottle, but I’ll search online for it later. There was a shop with old & new buttons and patches and we did through to find some keepers!

We were Red Owl shoppers at Har Mar when we were kids and this Arctic Cat Patch could have come off the lavender snowmobile suit I had when I was 10!

We connected with Andrea & friends… Andreas fifth day at the fair! I took their Abbey Road picture too!

Then went downstairs to get the youth a Nuckeez phone holder and check out the rest of the stuff I missed last week.

Every year since they started, I have bought mom the hand painted globe dated Fair ornament. By the time I got there this year, they were sold out. I’m not sure if I’m ok with it, or sad. It’s maybe fitting that I ~couldn’t~ buy one this year. New traditions. End the old.

There wasn’t much else I’d missed out on, and it was pouring now, so we poncho~ed up and headed outside.

We got a message that KayLyn & family we’re back at the fair and we’re coming through the grandstand. We waited and connected for a bit before Gray & I went to get a bite to eat.

The kid had not eaten a gyro yet, so we got a couple and sat under the tent behind the booth. Gray grabbed a malt from next door and we waited out the storm.

We were wet & tired from our early rising, but I still wanted to get a picture of Kory’s photograph which won a blue ribbon, just not a purple premium.

As we walked we encountered Fairborne & Fairchild with the mascot security carrying jacket matching umbrellas! No umbrellas for the security guys I guess!

We hiked back up to 4H and found Kory’s photograph!

The skies were clearing, but it was time for us to head home and spend some time with the puppy, as Randy was golfing all morning and we had some special tickets in the evening!

I grabbed the final recipe card in the “roundup” this year and I’ll put them all in another post.

I always check my phone each day for attendance updates from the day before… I was wowed by yesterday’s tote board! Highest attended day in history.

No wonder it felt so busy! We’re gonna hit two million, I’m just sure!

~This~ ticket is the only thing that is keeping me from attending the Talent Show finals in the grandstand tonight!

Gray & I both got home and took a nap! Hamilton was incredible and lived up to all the hype!

After the show, we ran into family that we had missed connecting with three or more times at the fair! Kara & Mary had joined Collin & Mark. We knew Collin had season tickets as we’ve posted the same shows on Facebook the same nights for the past two seasons! It was great to finally see them!

Tomorrow is Labor Day, the last, final hurrah. I have done & seen all I really need to this year, so we’ll see what tomorrow holds!