Spent the morning updating the blog and it really takes too much time. I need to live it now and blog it later!

The neighborhood was swarming with cars and stories of back ups at the park & rides are making yard parking premium!

Moms yard was empty and the neighbors said the going rate was $30. Mom never charged more than $20 and I wasn’t sure if it would sit right if I did. But I went in the house to find the “parking” sign and found a post~it attached.

Apparently she was ready to change with the economics but never got the chance.

I made the “30”, parked two cars in ten minutes (one who had been driving for 2 and 1/2 hours looking for a spot!

I didn’t get to the fair until almost 1:30, but as I walked up Midway Parkway, I got the biggest hug from my water guy! ❤️

I landed on the grounds, getting texts from friends, some of whom I failed to ever connect with! I bypassed the Alphabet Forest to find Elysia and food. Our goal was to watch the parade so she could get pictures of the Fire Bears Robotics.

Walking up to the north end, I ran into my dear friend Helen. She’s usually working on the coliseum and I was going to find her later! Serendipity!

Tried out The Hangar for food, got the brisket sandwich….. it’s brisket and a bun. I’m not eating the buns this year in an effort to conserve calories, so I just ate brisket. There are worse things!

Ran into Weef & his lovely wife hanging out in the shade!

I also found my “uber volunteer” friend Bree hawking Friends of the Fair memberships (which, if you don’t have one, and you’re reading this, you should!)

We found a random bench and moved it up front near Northern Tool and had a shade spot to enjoy the parade. Mike and Kathleen joined us and he took this landmark photo!

Post parade we took the Enestvedt Seed cut through path to the Grandstand, avoiding the crowds where possible! I checked in at Jaunita’a Fajitas. Deb told me it turns out they created a monster with the new Cuban sandwich! Long lines, but hopefully they’re making money, hand over fist.

I took Mike, Kathleen and Elysia on a tour of the Blue Flame building. Sharing my secret spot with ice cold water fountain and A/C area with open seating.

I spun the wheel and won an electrician! I can’t remember his name but they told me he doesn’t eat much.

We walked over to the DNR, looking for Smokey Bear. He turns 75 this year so I want to find him and wish him happy birthday!

No Smokey, just fish.

I was looking forward to Turkey Ribs again this year, but sadly they aren’t on the menu. I got a Giant Juicy, delicious as always, leaving the bun behind.

I drown my sorrows over the missing turkey ribs with a Margarita Slushie.

Elysia got strawberry, me Lime as usual.

Armed with alcohol we bravely headed into the poultry barn. Elysia wanted to see bunnies and I missed the ducks and geese yesterday.

Elysia had to pet everything! I wish I captured the picture of the little kid who wanted a taste of her pink slushie!

The barns were packed with people and I struggle when I’m trapped in aisles of cages and poultry… so we toured the outer rim with easier escape hatches.

Huge turkeys, geese and ducks. We of course had to play “duck, duck, grey duck!”

Outside we walked and saw the Alpaca and Elysia sat for a bit and watched some piglets being born. Photo credit: Elysia

I sat soaking up the warm sun at a picnic table just outside watching the 4H kids get ready for a cook off! (Using rabbit meat?!?)

Stopped for simply nuts, butter toffee peanuts, but forgot to take a picture until we all helped polish off the bag at O’Gara’s later!

Elysia and I made the full round of the coliseum finding the usual wares housed in this space, but there is one new “market” that boasts handmade Minnesota goods. It was too busy to investigate too much, but the stuff was kitschy and cute.

Rarely are there crowds in the coliseum and usually short waits for the rusty old small bathrooms, but today was an exception. I’d never seen the east end of the place so busy. Turns out there is a new food in here at the Swine & Spuds. Apparently bacon wrapped pork belly is a hot commodity! Long lines on both sides!

Tractor Supply Co. has a fun photo op and since E and I have a history with bears, I decided this was the backdrop!

There’s also cows!

Last year, we watched the entire draft horse hitch show, but this year I just wanted to see them gleaming in the sun and hear the jingle and clopping of hooves as these majestic creatures in full regalia entered the arena.

We found a spot at the entrance gate, and while the sun angles were not in my favor, the horses and hitches did not disappoint!

Turn your volume up for the full effect!

Mike & Kathleen were saving us seats at the talent show, so I didn’t have a chance to pinpoint the location of my old friend Kara and we never connected. Sometimes the “get together” part of the Fair is challenging!

Elysia & I headed up Liggett into the dense crowd and dropped off our hopefully “winning” lottery entries into the packed boxes , and decided to veer off and take the short cut up behind the Territorial Pioneer Bldg. As we walked, we spied Jana Shortal and we (I) totally “fanned out” awkwardly, but despite me being so creepy, she graciously granted us a photo op!

I had yet to get my POD (Pie of the Day) so I swung through to see Sara and gang. They were worried because I was so late!

Pie is good for dinner too!

There were cloggers in the Talent Show! I love cloggers! It was tough competition with a woman who sang Whitney. If you’re gonna sing a Whitney Houston song (or Gaga, or Adele) you really better be able to sing it!

We didn’t stick around to see who won.

I decided I want to get an Alphabet Forest photo marking every day and any people that may be sharing in my day!

We also connected with these two crazy kids, Becky & Bill, who had an entire food consuming agenda. We had discussed the fact a couple times today, that I don’t eat shrimp at the fair, nor do I recommend it for others. Becky & Bill either didn’t listen to this professional or thought I offered up a challenge… either way, they confirmed that shrimp at the fair… nope! The yellow paper clasped in his hand contains the food checklist!

We all needed a bathroom break so I was extolling the virtues of the air conditioned, trailer potty behind O’Gara’s, but this time (first time for me) there was a ~line~ and the whole trailer is not level. The stalls are smaller than I remember and my friends gave it thumbs down!

Tom & Ingrid were in time from North Carolina and at the fair with Willie, so we found each other at ~where else~ O’Gara’s.

I also ran into Kiki and her husband who I’ve known for years from our Gloria Dei childhood and small world, Kiki & Ingrid worked together at Nordstrom.

Apparently it’s our gathering place this year. Mike and Kathleen connected with her sister Colleen and Kieran and we all joined forces to wander with the end goal being the Giant Slide.

Kathleen & the Slide are both celebrating 50 years of existence!

While I love to see all there is to see, my favorite part of the fair is the connection and gathering of family and friends.

Tonight is was like a snowball rolling and growing with each new encounter! We headed to find Grammie Kelsey’s bench and awkwardly ousted the people sitting there, but one guy understood what we were doing and offered to take our picture!

We did a pretty good job at large group navigation as we made our way to Carol & Don’s bench. There was a mini donut and water stop along the way with the whole family crossing the street to give the tRump booth a wide berth.

As we approached the Anniversary bench, Willie and I found it empty and we raced towards it and slid into home plate! The guy leaning on the bench commented that seating must be hard to find!

The placement and poignant theme for WCCO was not lost on this group of bench warmers either.

As we reminisced and soaked up the love & memories, more people found us! Another branch of McCarthy cousins joined our troop and we made way for the Giant Slide!

(L~R) John, Kathleen, Colleen in the lead and me. Ingrid & Willie descended shortly after! (They’re up top center)

Lots of people, lots of memories shared and hugs and we dispersed to our own agendas (which I had none this evening)

We decided we could eat a little something, and sharing is best, so Kathleen & I split a Que Viet giant egg roll. The kids in the booth are all so helpful, gave me a boat and cut it in half for us!

We had yet to see fireworks do we decided to relax and enjoy beverages (paid for with my car parking money!) back at O’Gara’s. A few friends found us and we laughed and told stories

And the fireworks starts and we walked down to see the Corn Dance. It hasn’t changed, but is entertaining as ever!

Day two in the books, slacking on steps, only 14K to end the day.

We did get word mid day that Thursday broke a record attendance. Today probably will too!