The last day is always family day. I wasn’t sure Randy was gonna make it out at all this year. With the generally low attendance, the beautiful cool weather and dreams of hot dogs, malts and cookies he decided to try.

First stop was breakfast!

The pie tally was woefully small this year. I had to have one today! Sara was there, happy, but ready to be done. She said that nothing was consistent this year, not even me!

Jack got a gyro and we found a table in Carousel Park. I don’t ever remember a year when I’ve spent so much time looking for the open, empty spaces at the fair.

We walked on through the other side of the park and just missed seeing these beautiful Hmong dancers perform for Hmong Minnesota Day. I loved their theme “Stronger Together”.

They were setting up a photo booth where you could take a picture with gymnastics gold medalist Sunisa Lee’s image. It would have been amazing to have her at the fair, but she’s rehearsing for Dancing with the Stars! It was getting warmer and more crowded, so we didn’t wait around for the photo op.

I wanted to see the completed murals at the Joyful World exhibit. They were all complete except one. If anyone stayed late and got a picture, please share it. The artists were all found through “Forecast Public Art”. I can check the website later to see if they’re posted there too. This was one of my favorite things to watch transpire this year!

This is as close as I got to the midway this year. I never ventured in. The only rides that capture your attention with any height this year are the Swing, way in back, and the Air Max. The Ferris wheels are all gone and apparently there was a new roller coaster.

There were a few creepy clown trash cans around this year too.

Randy wanted a chocolate malt, so we went to the Gopher Dairy Bar. The other favorite malt from Kiwanis was too far away today.

I went for a little ride when he was fetching his malt. Hee hee!

For 50 years, we’d always duck into the office behind this wall, or into the Horse Barn office to say Hi to the Peterson Family. This year there was no one there. The end of a dynasty!

Jack & Randy cruised through the Coliseum. I just wanted the butter toffee peanuts so I departed the building after that. It was too busy for my liking.

I sat outside staring at an ashtray. There are smoking sections at the fair, but I didn’t realize many people actually use them! it is however odd placement, right outside the door.

Next stop, Randy got a Turkey to go sandwich. I was rapidly getting overwhelmed by the people. I got my last two slushies!

Jack & Randy stopped to look at big fish. I was incorrect in every attempt to identify a species.

Lots of space to see the fish! Lots of sun too!

Jack was hankering for a sundae, so he ducked into the Dairy Building while we waited outside on a bench.

Jack got a great unimpeded photo of all the completed butterhead carvings too!

To ensure corroboration of his story that he actually attended the fair, Randy needed a witness. We stopped at the Ball Park to say Hi to hard working Nate. It was too busy for me to do in, but I looked for an exterior table. There were few to be had and Randy’s energy was waning too.

Mike & Kathleen messaged to see what we were up to. They were ready to come over to the fair. I started thinking about possibly returning to the fair later.

We had a couple more food stops to make. Jack wanted to stock the freezer with Sweet Martha’s (does he not know I can bake?!?), Randy wanted a Poncho Dog, while Jack and I enjoyed our last egg roll and wontons. I picked up an extra egg roll for a friend!

The people were coming in, we were headed out, and I got a stamp, just in case I decided to return.

We returned to our parking spot one last time, and turned it over for Michael to use. I thanked our gracious hosts for the safety, security and companionship. It was so much more than just a parking place.

We were like salmon swimming upstream as we left the neighborhood. I dropped off the family, went to deliver the postcards and egg roll, came home and sat down. I started to blog and promptly fell asleep in my chair for the next two hours.

When I woke up, we had some dinner and then went to bed! I checked in with Mike & Kathleen, who had just left the ground before reports of more shenanigans. Kids tried to storm the gate after closing and officers had to “deploy chemical deterrents”. Other than a few isolated incidents, it’s been a great fair. Considering we were all locked down for 18 months and forgot how to behave in public, the attendees at the fair were mostly OK. I expected things could be worse. There were a couple offensive political booths, but in general there was less vitriol than past years. I’m hopeful, but not optimistic that the Covid cases will not surge in a couple weeks. I know I took a physical health risk going to the fair every day, but ~not~ going would have taken a toll on my mental health. It’s a risk I needed to take.

I will take my rapid tests over the next two weeks, wear my mask and pray I did my part to keep all those I love healthy.

Here’s hoping 2022 will be a different experience!