There is only one Tuesday of the Fair. It’s one my twelve favorite days. It was cloudy and cool, but no rain in the forecast.

The lines for tickets were quite long already at 9:00am. It looked like the start of a record breaker. I checked the attendance stats frequently and so far the first two days broke records, and the weekend had high numbers, but no records. I’m sure the attendance on Monday would be low due to weather.

There were over two million people last year, I’m guessing we’ll top that this year if the weather cooperates.

I wanted to check out the straw-bale gardens in daylight. on my way to get breakfast, I made a few stops. The garden designer Joel Karsten was right there! I learned what I could and documented information to follow up on later.

Every day there is a different school of medicine represented at the front table in the U of MN building. Today it was the school of Orthopedic & Sports Medicine. If there is a wheel, I spin. I answered correctly and got a gel ice pack.

My path to pie also took me through the Ball Park beer garden and these two goofballs were just gearing up for another busy day!

I picked up my pie and that was the end of my scheduled events for the morning.

I walked down Carnes Ave and came upon the listening ear from last year. I didn’t have any burning questions, it’s rude to talk with your mouth full of pie and I wasn’t sure the ear needed an earful from me, so I just kept walking.

Tuesday is usually a good day to check out the Grandstand. I walked up the ramp and turned around to take a picture of the vast, mostly empty space and the cow car was gliding overhead. Good sign.

Adam Turman is a local hero. His art embodies all things Minnesota; Prince, the Fair, Hotdish, and Paul Bunyan. His booth is at the top of the ramp and is a must see destination. His merchandise includes puzzles, dish towels, pint glasses, socks and cards. His art prints, framed or unframed, are also for sale. This UN-Fair year (2020) you can buy his stuff at the online here: https://adamturman.com/

You can take you picture with your favorite fair treat.

There’s a great sock spot! One fuzzy picture in the group, but it’s relevant and I couldn’t leave it out.

The Veranda, new last year, just outside of the Speakeasy food vendor, has “blossomed” nicely! And the view is lovely.

StevenBe designs has beautiful yarns, adorable children’s books and some fun kitchen kitsch.

I found the vendor where I get golf shirts for Randy every year. There are fantastic deals on jackets and shirts here. I was excited that I was able to fit into some of the super reduced jackets and got a new water/windbreaker for $15! The shirts for Randy are 3/$20!

I got a text to connect with some family, so after completing half the upper grandstand circuit, I ran down the steps to meet up with Alexia, Nate & Ash!

They were looking for kid sunglasses and I had a pair in my bag from a giveaway somewhere! Ashton wasn’t so sure, but the color was right!

As we stood and chatted, there was a military flyover. It was Military Appreciation Day after all. Got my camera out just in time.

I stopped in at the Kare11 barn, got my free water bottle and filled it up with cold fresh water.

I was truly just wandering without plan or agenda. I investigated the tin hut on the corner across from the DNR. It’s a house made of corrugated tin. I didn’t go in, because I wasn’t sure of the organizational agenda. I wasn’t ready to sign up for an overseas mission trip. It appears to be a religious agency doing mission work globally. Hopefully all good things.

I walked up the hill to the MPR booth. I picked up a sustainer magnet, found a couple words in the giant word search wall and posed for a selfie. I asked a volunteer to take my picture by the sign. Of course I had to try and make order out of the random mess of magnets. I found an example of each phrase. Thank goodness there were two of each color.

I crossed the street to check out the Dairy Building. I’ve been told that Hope butter is the finest in our state. I had plans to get there before Christmas last year, but that didn’t happen. I watched the princess faces get carved into blocks of butter, and took a look at prize winning packaged meat.

The vendors in here don’t change much, Turkey Council, where you can stick your head in the turkey, Beef Council, spin to win a side of beef, the Lamb & Wool Producers, pick up a sample of the best lanolin lotion, Chicken & Egg Association, sit in the egg chair, and get your Fleet Farm bag, buy painting edger tools that I’ve never had success with at home, pick up some venison & buffalo dog treats from Great Dog Co. (they too, have an online marketplace this unfair year 2020), but most popular the Dairy Goodness Bar. My bosses kid is working here this year, but I didn’t see her in the crowd of kids wearing matching shirts and hats.

I grabbed a beef stick to snack on. I’ve been working hard at losing weight and getting healthy so I’m trying to balance out my pie a day habit with added protein, and a little salt is OK when I’m moving all day and trying to stay hydrated! I looked for Minnesota snacks, but Wisconsin was as close as I could get.

I happened upon one of the new food vendors right out in front of the Haunted House. Thelma’s Ice Cream sandwiches from Des Moines Iowa distribute to Lund’s & Byerly’s, but I’d never tried one. They’re unique in that the sandwich part is made from different kinds of cookies. When I read about the new foods, I imagined that I’d be able to choose my type of cookie (snickerdoodle or chocolate) and choose my ice cream flavor and have it scooped up and squished together while I waited. I was wrong. They have a variety of sandwiches that are purported to be “made fresh daily”, but when I asked about making them fresh, the kid replied, “they’re made fresh every day in Iowa”. Ummm, no thanks. I decided to save my calories for something different.

The clouds had dissipated and I decided to soak up some sun as I wandered through the International Bazaar. I love to see the Matryoshka dolls. This year the nesting set that almost made me reach for my wallet were these adorable owls. Dad was here.

I’ve told people that my weight loss program is basically cognitive behavioral therapy for my mouth. One of the analogies used to manage eating habits is that of the elephant and rider. The elephant is the impulsive part, the rider takes control. Finding balance with both parties is the key to success. As I wandered around the Bazaar, elephants caught my eye at every turn. I’ve been looking for a sort of talisman with an elephant. I’ll know it when I see it. So far I’m just capturing the images.

I try to find special, unique Christmas ornaments every year. An angel for me and a star for Gray (formerly Stella, now Jack). The stars are still a welcome gift. Global Mamas had lots of beautiful ones.

The bazaar hosts the Midtown Global Market and two selected vendors get to split time at the fair. Hot Indian, with their butter chicken samosas, are here for the first six days. I’d been meaning to get here sooner, but better late than never!

I was hoping to have someone to share them with, when I got a text message that my friend Kathy and her kid Eli were on the grounds looking for food too. They were in the bazaar getting Island Noodles, and they met me at The Market. There are three samosas per order and I meant to share them, but they were so delicious, I ate two. Kathy got one.

The sauce was the bomb. The sign said it was a creamy green chutney, but this was a hot pickled aioli. I started to imagine all the foods that I could dip in this sauce! I asked if I could buy some extra sauce and Chef Janene slid me a couple! She told me I can buy it in bulk at the shop. She uses it as a compliment to filet mignon. Now a year later, I remember the sauce. I hope to get over there one day soon.

Kathy and Eli had a volunteer shift at Math on a Stick, so we walked toward the north end together. We stopped to spin the giant AARP wheel and won some swag.

I took a picture of this years button. I can’t remember where I picked it up. It’s quite likely that Kathy got it for me!

We walked through the Home Improvement building, just to say I did. There was really nothing I needed to see, until Kathy & Eli pointed out the sauna. I do enjoy a sauna! I sat inside and imagined the water hitting the rocks. Sizzle.

Near the Alphabet Forest in Baldwin Park or on the street there are often rotating free sample vendors. Today there was a Lactose Free Milk vendor with a few different kinds of milk blends to try. It wasn’t terrible.

I asked Kathy & Eli to join me for the date stamp photo!

As we crossed the street to see the Fine Art, our Fair mascots were cruising down the street to get to the parade.

The Fine Art Building is a labyrinthine hall full of surprises around every corner. The display walls are numbered so I try to stay in sequence so I don’t miss anything. When it’s crowded I often go backwards. It seemed quite crowded for a Tuesday, I turned to my left and counted down. The first piece of art was from a local photographer, whose process in creating this animal collage image was featured in the news before the fair started. A huge mural of this hangs in foyer of the new North End Event Center. He corralled and photographed the animals in pairs and then compiled it into the collage.

I’d love to show you every piece of art, but I’ll just share some of my favorites. There are many photographs and paintings, but it was the textiles and multidimensional art that drew my focus.

These are created with folded paper. The Prince image is made from dyed sheet music.

I spent so much time trying to read and make sentences out of this needlework. I think it’s just layers of words.

I wanted to examine everything from a distance and then closer so I didn’t miss any of the details.

The artist in residence that day created images using embroidery floss. I went to her website and the piece she was working on during the Fair was completed recently and pictured center left.

So many textures, shapes and figures. Too little time to ponder why.

An abstract square colorful painting hung in our living room by an artist from St. Anthony Park in the 70’s. I can’t remember her name. Any time I see colorful quadrant art like this it reminds me of that painting. I’m also a huge Piet Mondrian fan, probably for the same reason.

This was hard to capture with the light reflecting. YouDogCat.

This one made you think!

I’d love to try and crochet that Afghan!

This piece was so powerful. Titled: Reparations

I felt like I’d seen it all and Kathy & Eli still had time before their shift started, so we went into the Eco Building. The prize for completing Eco BINGO is a set of reusable silverware. Helpful for picnics, camping… or eating at The Fair! We grabbed our game cards and began to play. There really wasn’t time to go for the coverall, so we strategically chose the stations we needed to complete a BINGO. The tasks are fun for all ages!

The Giant Paul Bunyan is still here, but he got a voice box upgrade!

There is a cool display on the stages of recycling and how products are broken down and reused.

And the resources that can be recycled in our electronics

Our last BINGO spot was outside the building, so we walked outside to the solar exhibit. While standing hear the enormous solar flower, the “solar” energy waned and serious clouds rolled in. We moved under the battery tent and the skies grew dark and it poured and hailed.

Once the hard rain subsided, we went back inside to claim our prize. I wanted the silverware, but there is also a neck gaiter.

We were a little wet and chilled and it was still raining a little, so we stood in a long line for a thimbleful of Peace coffee. We passed the time by sticking heads in holes.

It was nearing the time for Kathy & Eli to check in at Math on a Stick, but we had a question about where something was located (I cannot remember what) so we found the information booth and we chanced upon the “Guy in the Hat”. I wasn’t familiar with him, but Eli (a former State Fair Go-fer) knew him. Apparently he’s got a different hat for every day! This one seems appropriate for Military Appreciation Day.

Kathy & Eli went to work and I thought I would go back try for the coverall on my BINGO and get another prize, but they ran out, another indicator of a busy day at the fair.

I decided to go back to moms and drop off my heavy bags. I bought ornaments, a new Norwegian sweater (in a smaller size), shirts for Randy, jackets for me, and I’d collected lots of weighty giveaways. I was hoping to meet up with family and friends later. On my way out, there was my water guy! Now he’s official, with his own gear!

I never made it back home, but I got as far as Mom’s. My friend Gayle texted asking where I was. I told her I’d be back on the grounds in 15 minutes. I was excited to get some French Fries and eat them with the samosa aioli sauce! We found Kathleen and her Mom having a beer in the Garden. I was right, that that aioli would taste great with many foods!

Kathleen was taking her Mom back home, but we had plans to connect at the Lonestar concert at Leinie Bandshell later. Gayle was up for any adventure, and I had an idea in the works, that required finding the mascots at their scheduled stop at the Visitors Plaza. The plan was afoot and we took a few pictures while the opportunity presented itself.

We then decided to head up north on Underwood. A path I had not yet traversed.

We stopped at Northern Tool and there was a big wheel to spin. I looked around inside, but everything there for purchase with my coupons was heavy…. tools, batteries, etc. I decided to wait for another day.

Just up the road was PBS and I got a picture with Nature Cat.

We toured the building and took a picture with Bob Ross.

Across the road is the Little Hands Farm. I knew my childhood friend Rhonda and her daughter were volunteering today, so we stopped in to say Hi! It was perfect because they were right at the entrance, greeting visitors and helping don aprons. I just started playing with all the toys! Gayle was my photographer.

We had to stop into the Kemp’s Cow photo booth and get our photobombs. There was no one waiting so we took advantage of every backdrop.

Zigzagging one more block north, we decided to wait in line to play Home Depot Plinko. The line was long, but not as long as it has been. The only challenge to staying put were the game hosts with cow bells! They were having so much fun, it was hard to be irritated. We got a can coozie and apron, both lightweight prizes. I was grateful it wasn’t a 5gallon bucket or a hammer!

I had yet to see any dogs, so we went a block farther and walked the perimeter of the new (last year) outdoor dog pavilion. The representational dogs today were the greatest hits for me and my friends. ShiTzu’s, Great Dane’s and my personal favorite, the Swissie.

The new North End Event Center is hosting the traveling “Angry Birds Universe”. The lines have been long every time I’ve been close, but not tonight. Gayle & I went in to just do some research. It looks like a really fun science, tech and math experience for kids! I think it might be worth the wait for family fun!

We walked past the Giant Wheel and the sky was amazing.

We went to check on my friends at Math on a Stick, and again I found stuff to play with.

I’m not sure I would be a good volunteer here. I’d be constantly trying create order from the chaos and random patterns.

Walking back down towards the main drag, the 4H tower was gleaming in the sunlight. It is the home of so many memories and an played a huge role in nurturing my love of the State Fair. I left some of Mom & Dad at the foot of the tree on the right.

I was hungry but had eaten lots of junk today, so we went to the fruit stand and got a banana instead of donuts, for the win!

Looking down the street, it was like a Thursday or Friday crowd. since I’d spent much of the late afternoon up north I didn’t realize just how busy it was.

We walked through the Minnesota Territorial Pioneers, remembering the man who was there every day doing intricate paper cutting of various animals and objects. There is just a big empty space, with nothing even noting he was once there.

Kathleen and I planned to meet at the Leinie Lodge to see Lonestar perform at Bandshell Tonight. I didn’t really know who Lonestar was, but Kathleen’s sister used to date the Bass Guitarist. I’m always up for an adventure, so I snuck in at the tail end of the Talent Show and got us seats in the second row. It’s been a long time since I’ve sat this close to the stage. Mom was the expert at procuring these seats. She must have been with me today too.

As I sat waiting for Kathleen to join me, my friend Sally sat down for a bit and we shared tales of our state fair days. Her husband Tom is a veteran, so they participated in all the Military Appreciation activities.

Kathleen arrived just as the concert was starting. We were talking more than listening, since neither of us really thought we knew any Lonestar songs. There were crazy fanatical screaming fans that would race up in front of us for pictures, and I felt like we should maybe feign a little fandom to look like we belonged in the second row. The lucky thing about most country songs, is you can sing along because after after one chorus you know the words. We faked it until they performed a song we actually knew! They wrote “I’m Already There” after 9/11 and you had to live under a rock to not be familiar with it. Well both Kathleen & I resonated with the lyrics and were singing along and crying….remembering the people we had recently lost. After the song, the lead singer Ritchie looked right at us and commented that the song means so much to so many people and said “I know it means a lot to you” and have us the heart~hand salute. We at least didn’t feel like posers anymore. But didn’t really know any other songs!

After the concert, Kathleen wanted to try and say “hi” to Michael Britt, the bassist friend of her sister. We walked over to the side of the stage where the bus was parked and tried to get the attention of a security guard. We told the guard that we had a message for Michael from Megan. The super fans around us (most of whom were ~way~ to young to fan girl over these guys) started freaking out that we knew him. We clarified that we didn’t know him personally, but it didn’t seem to matter. I told Kathleen to text her sister and have her ask Michael to come out and say Hi. The security guard returned to tell us that the band members had left the grounds. We started walking home to Mom’s and Megan texted to us say that Michael asked if we enjoyed the concert. Kathleen was texting too slowly, so I grabbed her phone and texted Megan to tell Michael we were the two blubbering fools in the second row that Ritchie saluted earlier. He responded by saying…”yeah, I could tell that they were really emotional”. He said that the band left immediately after the show and were already at the hotel by the time we were talking to the security guards. Since I was now coming across as a psycho fan girl, they would not divulge the location of the hotel.

We got back to Mom’s and I dropped Kathleen back at her house and had to sleep fast. I had a date the next day to do the fair with my friend Sara of Tipsy Pie fame.

I’m not sure the final step tally, but three hours earlier I was close to 20,000.