Thursday was just one more in a series of amazing days. There was a strange shelf cloud in the sky as I drove over to park at Mom’s. It didn’t amount to anything, thankfully.

My friend Helen, working every day, down in the Coliseum, usually has to clock in too early to stop for Pie. I needed my pie, so I grabbed an extra and delivered one to her! I think she was pleased!

I decided to see if any calves were on the way into the world. I didn’t have plans until 11:00am, but still had so much to see & do. Without my faithful Dad to run food & supplies, I didn’t have the resources or time to sit around in the Miracle of Birth barn and wait for a calf all day. BTDT.

I’d seen almost all the animals, cows, horses, sheep, goats, bunnies, llama, ducks, geese, turkeys, alpaca and fish.

The bunnies had moved out of the poultry barn, and the chickens have moved in. There were a few interesting and elegant fowl, but I cruised through quickly.

I popped next door to see if there were any curly sheep. The only curly one left was a little miniature Babydoll, all the rest were shorn, or getting there!

I think this concluded my animal barn to do list, so I walked back out into the warm sunshine!

I wasn’t sure exactly where I was heading. I noticed the Hot Dish on a stick stand. I’m not sure that’s a place from which I’ll ever eat. It was eye catching, matching the clear blue sky.

It was already 10:00 am, but as I walked by the entrance to the Midway, I noticed it was deserted. I don’t spend much time down here, so maybe it doesn’t get busy until later in the day. I decided to take a stroll through and capture the bright colors and prizes du jour. There seems to a plethora of stuffed sloths this year!

There were no lines for rides, many were at a standstill. This New York Skyline Funhouse is a new addition this year. It’s been the focus of many photographers. My photo was ok.

But I loved this one, reflected in the rain, shared on the #msfphoto page.

I walked by the Midway Luxury Port-A-Potty, wondering, but not actively researching, if it had suffered the same decline as the O’Gara’s hideaway. It looked stable, and no long lines.

Exiting the Midway, I wandered across the Adventure Park and I thought there was a live TV broadcast taking place at KSTP. I turns out all the people in the bleachers were just playing BINGO.

I grabbed a card and joined the game! I noticed some of my bleacher neighbors increased their chances with multiple cards. I was close a few times, but never won.

I was ambling around and wound my way back past the DNR and came upon a display of custom dog houses & kid’s playhouse. Maybe Mildred needs her own she-shed!

I popped inside the Dairy Building and my bosses kid Rachel was working! I’m not sure she wanted to pose for a picture, but I captured her hard at work anyway!

As I walked over to see butterhead progress, I spied the actual Princess Kay of the Milky Way in the back corner. I went into mascot stalking mode, and followed her out the back door.

She was kind enough to pose for a selfie to add to my mascot collection.

I decided to wander back over to Fan Central to see if I could get a picture with the MNUFC Soccer Loon. On my way, I stopped into the Costco tent. They were offering a really nice cooler, free to new members. My membership expires in August, so I asked if I waited until Sunday, Sept 1st, to renew , would I be eligible? Nope. I don’t know why I took a picture of the basket full of ping pong balls. My eyes were being drawn to bright colors today.

There is a big Xfinity wheel inside fan central, but the line has been long every time I’ve stopped in. Today I had nothing but time, so I waited. I really wanted to win the stainless water bottle. But as I got close, the water bottles ran out and the option was removed from the wheel. I spun and lost, but decided to ask the guys out in the registration tent if I could have a water bottle as a consolation prize for paying them $200 every month? Nope. I wasn’t having much luck in the merchandise giveaways today.

I had a plan to coordinate a little fun with the mascots and Crop Art, so I’d made a date to meet Gayle at the Visitors Plaza to have a conversation with mascot security. Gayle and her entourage beat me there.

We explained our crazy idea to mascot security, and I might have dropped a few State Fair VIP names, but we were taken seriously and assured that every effort would be made to execute the proposed plan, barring any unforeseen mascot emergency appearances. The plan was afoot, with players coordinating and converging at the desired location at 5:15pm. Time would tell if we’d be successful or not.

The kid needed a ride home from work and wanted to return to the fair with me when I got word that all the Kelsey kids would be converging at the bench later this afternoon. I left the grounds for a bit and did a little parking fancy footwork, moving cars to the street so there would be room for us all. Yard parking is at a premium this year. I think the restructuring of some of the park & rides are causing some of the challenges, but the neighbors are benefiting from supply & demand economics.

I fetched the youth and once we had some lunch and were ready to head back over, we noticed a couple waiting for the Lexington bus. They had all the telltale signs that they were headed to the fair, backpack, fanny packs and floppy safari hats! Thinking about WWCJD (What Would Carol Jo Do) we pulled over and tried to not come across as creepy, then offered them a ride. They gladly accepted, we must not have appeared too threatening. It is such a small world. As the general conversation turned to questions about college, it turns out the couple once lived in Northfield and knew some faculty at St. Olaf. Mom would have loved this story.

We dropped the strangers that we picked up, near the Snelling Gate and wished them a fun time! We parked at Mom’s and hiked back to the gate ourselves.

The youth wanted a malty beverage so we found the Craft Beer Bar in Ag/Hort. I’d never seen hops growing in the wild before… only in beer form.

The kid was in a “hoppy” mood, so it didn’t take much cajoling to get him to stick his head into holes! We were in the perfect place to capitalize on the situation!

We ran into Rhonda and her daughter taking a break from volunteering and checking out the flowers too!

If I remember correctly, Sara at Tipsy Pies had put out a broadcast for help wanted at the booth. I had too many activities and people connections on my schedule today, I couldn’t help. I decided to stop by and see if things were OK… and Sara gave me this pie. This was the cutest, happiest little pie I’d ever seen! It was delicious too!

My old childhood friend Kris was braving the fair today with her son Michael and niece Sophia. Our parents had been friends for years through Gloria Dei. They met up with us at Mom & Dad’s bench. Michael’s physical challenges make navigating the Fair, that much more challenging, but you could tell by his vocalizations, vigorous handshakes and smiles that he was really happy to be here!

His wheelchair was a special custom project through Team Triumph, that made it possible for him to participate in the Twin Cities Marathon! What was extra special is that Mom & Dad helped make it possible and had signed his wheels.

I know they were with us today, angels bringing so many people together.

As we were taking the bench photo, another childhood friend Heidi and her daughter Caitlin happened by!

Then without texts or coordinated efforts, Mark & Kim, Alec, Morgan, Michael and Kathleen arrived! I’m telling you… angels.

It’s the first time we have all been at the bench together since the day we surprised Mom & Dad seven years ago!

There was much picture taking (we are Kelsey’s after all) and catching up with one another.

Mark set up human barriers so he could arrange this beautiful image.

Now, in this time of Corona, I am grateful for every moment we spent together, since we last met.

The time was drawing nigh for the scheme Gayle & I hatched, involving the mascots. I had to get to Ag/Hort by 5:15. Kim & Kathleen wanted in on the secret, so they followed me and the rest of family headed off in another direction.

The three of us met up with Gayle at the back entrance to the crop art. This year, crop art became a “must-see” activity and long lines formed every day. The plan we made earlier today with mascot security was to get a picture of her blue ribbon winning piece, along with the mascots! Fairchild & Fairborne were running late, and we were a little concerned that something came up, preventing them from coming. I did try to get some tv news coverage earlier in the day, but the stations I tried were either on air or broadcasting remotely.

Just as we were giving up hope, there was a commotion in the crowds lined up to see the crop art. They arrived! They were really surprised to see the rendition of themselves in seeds!

The crowds parted somewhat and let us get some pictures!

Our excitement was high and adrenaline was rushing. We pulled it off! I texted the rest of the family to find them again and they sent me a picture of what they had been up to.

Apparently, the reason the mascots were running late was due to spending too much time with my nephew Alec outside Cafe Caribe!

Now that we did the mascot thing, it was time to relax and have fun with family! First up, frosty beverages!

Then we all walked through the DNR wildlife cave passageway to find the family bricks. Not everyone remembered they were there… or where they were.

Yee-Haw! It was time to eat. Some needed hot dogs, others cheese curds, Gyros and corn! Luckily I knew where to find it all in close proximity!

I took the family up the back walkway under the Giant Slide. Then crossed over to the Ball Park, where we ran into great, longtime friends!

I wanted the whole family in my date stamp picture for today, so they all stuck with me and we made it as a cohesive unit from one end of the Fair to the other!

Once up on this end, we realized we were in time to see the lumberjack show. I needed to make a pit stop for water & bathroom break so we ran inside the Eco Experience. The water fountain is a chilled bottle filler and there’s usually not a long bathroom line.

On the way through we ran into Jonathan from church extolling the Eco friendly virtues of the Tesla! He speaks from experience as an owner!

While chatting, a family whose children I used to care for, stopped to say hi too!

We got back to our bleacher seats just as the show was beginning. we had to cheer loudly for our sections’ Lumberjack & Lumberjill team. I can’t remember if we won or lost, but it was a great show!

There were heats of sawing, axe throwing, pole climbing and wood carving. At the end of the show, they were selling carved bears and Gray really wanted one. I told him he had to carry the log for the rest of the night!

Alec got autographs on a log and posed with the winning team!

Walking down Cooper St., we all stopped to watch the Giant Wheel light progressions. It’s a show all to itself.

Green Mill was on the left and with this large group, sharing food is a great way to try some of the new stuff! This year the new food “loaded garlic cheese bread” had rave reviews. Not so much sharing went on! It tasted better than it looked at twilight!

The latter part of the evening consisted pretty much of walk and eat and walk and eat. I took the opportunity to try the Brisket Grilled cheese from RC BBQ, while I had people to share it with. It was good, but a little burnt and too much for me, so Matt ate most of it!

The Channel 9 news was just about to go live, but Alec wasn’t going to pass up an opportunity to chat with his pal Ian Leonard! These guys have all been friends for a long time through Special Olympics.

Since we were there, and it was there… a small group decided to take a ride down the Giant Slide.

All together, we headed back up Dan Patch to make our way home. We could hear the Queen tribute band at the bandshell and we listened for a bit, but we didn’t stay long.

It was a bittersweet parting, in the backyard on Simpson St. It was the first time we’d all been together at the house since Mom’s funeral. We’d be back here together soon once the fair ended. We had lots of work to do.