My first volunteer shift started at 3:00pm today, so planned to head out around 2:00. I had a party to bake for today, (my new home business is Heather’s Holiday Treats… shameless plug) and so the morning was spent at home, blogging, baking and boxing up cookies!

I packed for rain and drove over to the neighborhood. I know that there are lots of people opting out of the fair this year, but the lack of traffic is striking! I parked and walked up to the gate, discovering along the way, my friend “the water guy” was back doing his schtick! We chatted for a bit and I learned he contracted Covid early on, but luckily survived without too many long haul symptoms. His daughter is with him, keeping tabs and making sure he doesn’t overdo it.

It was so strange to be waiting alone to cross Snelling Ave on a Friday afternoon, no crowds, no lines…just walked over and through the metal detectors, happy that I left my steel key fob behind today!

It’s Governor’s Fire Prevention day and I was tasked to find something for a friend, so I ran up to the North End, (where all the activities were, last fair) to find nothing. I later learned it was back near the Grandstand this year.

I didn’t eat lunch at home due to my busy morning, so I enjoyed my first foot long in two years!

My job at the Forest today was Welcome/Greeter and chief of crown distribution! it was a bit more quiet than I’ve ever known it, but I brought a few new visitors in! It’s fun to watch the kids work so hard to fill out the game cards and witness the persistence and effort put in to earn that blue ribbon! It’s usually so busy, I don’t have time to watch the magic happen! Tonight a dad and his five year old son returned, damp and bedraggled, to claim a well earned ribbon. I asked if they had fun and Dad said “this game was everything today” ❤️

At my shift end, my friend E and I joined up for dinner and a little more exploring. It was her first day out this year, and she’s unsure how many more she’ll attend. Before we left the Forest, we took a noodle photo! Our noses out was our attempt at humor!

E has been a coach & mentor for the RAHS robotics team and wanted to pop into the Education Building to see the team robot. I was curious about who and what I might find too. We were met with signs recommending but not requiring masks and a table of encouragement.

I stood aghast at what I was witnessing. E suggested I take a panoramic for full effect.

We found the blue ribbon robot, but not much else.

Usually filled with wall after wall and display case upon case, the school art showcase was definitely smaller this year. I’m guessing distance learning had an impact. I still found a few treasures of impressive young artists displayed.

We didn’t stay long. The place seemed so sad. Lonely volunteers, one to a booth, with empty spaces between each other and no fair goers to interact with. I wonder how things will progress throughout the fair. Will the booths dwindle? Will volunteers not return? I’ll check back.

I decided dinner would come from the International Bazaar, so as we walked, we marveled at all the elbow room this Fair Friday night!

We passed a pop-up booth and all I saw were the words “free alcohol”… upon closer inspection, they were not in that order!

Across the street the Natural Landscape Minnesota area has expanded and they have a whole shop with stone seating, garden critters and fairy houses…. Or as E called them, a $150 rock with a door!

They have a few houses with two doors, and E said you pay a premium for the walk- through!

I had to keep telling myself I have enough owls in my garden, and none of the critters really “spoke” to me, (except maybe that penguin) so I wasn’t impelled to buy one.

The Bazaar, being an open air venue, was a bit more crowded than other spaces, so I donned my mask and got myself some Island Noodles for dinner. They weren’t the best I’d had, but not sure how long the noodles sit in the wok when it’s not busy!

E tried the slushies and liked it! We meandered while we ate & drank and found our way to Mom & Dads bench, where we rested for a spell before heading towards the West End. If have trouble finding a bench this year…your eyes must be closed.

I wanted to check out the art in progress area, and on our way we passed the WCCO 4 area, where there is no live broadcast, just a lonely big screen tv.

Sadly, the fire prevention day displays and events were all gone as we passed the ramp. I’d asked E to check earlier, and it was almost empty when she was there around 5pm. (Sorry Helen! No potholders for any of us!)

This year, so far, there is no specific time for chapstick distribution at the Star Trib. You can walk up anytime to get your cookie flavor. E thought they nailed it! These guys seem to have all the best t-shirt designs. I liked this one best.

We arrived at the mural space and learned it’s called Joyful World. The artists will be randomly working on their art between 11am-3pm daily. A few of the spaces showed progress!

I took E to see the Fluffy Donut stand, but we decided to share some French fries instead. I don’t eat these often anymore… so I enjoyed every bite!

This is the booth near the Midway….at 8pm… on a Friday night. “Line forms here” ? What line?

The West End, another open air food and marketplace was hopping. Despite being open air, I masked up due to the over-peoply nature of the space. I wanted to check in on my friend Sarah @ i like you.

Many of the vendors here have exterior tables set up to push the wares out of the cubicles for easier open access, and created one way traffic flow.

There’s a lot of cute stuff down here.

E found some garden whimsy!

I might have to come back for my own!

As we walked through, I was reminded of all the tasty foods found here! Lulu’s bites and The Creamery waffle ice cream sandwich. I’ll have to come back. No waiting for anything at Lulus either!

Even the glassblowers at Foci Glass art studio are cashing in on Covid! Glass masks!

If you’re interested in another kind of walking tour, there is a list and map of all the “Adopt a Garden” spaces around the grounds. I notice many of them, but this one in particular caught my eye! That table is so cool, resin poured over wood cuts.

My feet were telling me it was time to start making my way back closer to home, so we walked up Dan Patch and stopped to say Hi to Deb at Juanita’s. We were discussing the challenges this fair was presenting this far and she shared an interesting tidbit. The fair couldn’t get its logo cup orders filled! Ironically, they sold them all to the general public, in sleeves last year during “no fair” and I told Deb, I could share some of my stash… unless they’re collectors items now!

Despite the challenges, lower attendance numbers and all the rain, the general consensus is that we’re are just glad to be back!

I needed to fill my water, so we ducked in the back end of the empty Grandstand. I remember it’s a fair Friday, not Tuesday and shake my head disbelieving.

I needed to confirm the Giant Slide stays, and it’s indeed open for business. Just not much business. It must have a weather related temporary shutdown yesterday.

There was no waiting for a Vikings Minnesota photo op!

and more shocking, open tables at the Ball Park Cafe. Glad for the Ball Park guys, that the tables here are more full than other vendors!

I was in need of blueberry pie, so we rounded the food building and I peered inside at one of the most jarring sights of all. No one waiting in line for The Mouth Trap cheese curds!

The pie guys were just baking up some fresh Boozy Blueberry and Berry Blitzed, so we prepaid and took a seat outside in the open, ~wide~ open, food court.

They came to find us to let us know our pies were ready!

I ate this one, but also got one to go for my parking hostess Sonja!

Sister Sledge was performing at the Leinie Bandshell so we walked towards home in that direction. Typically, we’d need to find a spot in the street at the back to catch a glimpse as we listen, but tonight we could have had our pick of seats. We didn’t stay to hear We Are Family, as I’m guessing it would have been the last one on the playlist, and my feet were kaput.

I was tempted to stop for a beverage at the also empty, O’Gara’s, but I was afraid if I sat down I might not get up again for a long time!

We went through the gates, noticing a very small contingent that were heading ~in~ with three hours left of fun to be had!

We crossed Snelling and I left E boarding her park & ride shuttle and I walked alone back to the car. I was a tad melancholy, missing family that I’d typically be with and contemplating the state of a-fairs, behind me!

We’ll see how another 12K steps makes my feet feel tomorrow! Hoping for a day without, or simply less rain! I’ll be back in the Forest at 3:00!