What a difference a day makes! Today, no humidity, blazing blue sky and temps in the 70’s. Arrived at the fair around 9:30 and the security lines were not much shorter today. I think the beautiful weather will boost attendance. Once again I set the alarms off. I just move to the right for bag search and second screening automatically now.

I headed for my breakfast pie and walked through the Ball Park and finally spied my good friend Nate! I’d missed him every time I’d passed this way so far. Our fair schedules are out of sync!

I popped around the corner and picked up my pie, but didn’t stay to chat as I was on a mission.

I was headed to Dan Patch Park (formerly Carousel Park). It’s been called many different things, but it’s the big area next to the KSTP radio tower. Today is Mental Health awareness day, lots of good swag to be had.

On the way I noticed that there was no line for cookies and they didn’t even have the rope cue in place (which doesn’t do anything but block the sidewalk). Apparently 10:00am Monday is a good time to buy Sweet Martha’s.

FYI the WCCO radio water station, that was found just to the left in this photo, is not operational this year. I kind of miss it. It was centrally located.

I passed the Star Tribune building at the end of the Grandstand Ramp and even though it was an hour past distribution time, I was able to walk up and snag this years chapstick (they will correct you and say “lip balm” ah trademarks!)

Still had not eaten the pie, it was hot when I got it, but I was moving fast.

I turned into the park and right away found my friend Trista volunteering at the Ellie booth.

I didn’t stop long because I was already a little late for the one thing on my schedule today….dog yoga!

There was a group on stage, many (all?) of whom do therapy work and this one was my favorite. Not only did the dogs do yoga moves with the handlers, the handlers demonstrated ways to massage, stretch, and limber up your dog! The downside to that stage is it’s always in full sun. I sat long enough to learn some stuff and eat my pie, then I was on my way down to the West End. Sara Q and family were going to the History on a Schtick show, so I planned to meet them there.

Along the way I ran into my neighbors!

I wandered through more of the shops and kiosks and found nothing I can’t live without. I happened upon an active glassblowing demonstration. I’m a fan.

I love looking at all the wares in the glass booth. This year there are lots of pumpkins, and orbs, but what really caught my eye were the stemless wineglasses. I enquired about the artist and it turns out it’s the person doing the demo! I was directed to their info and took pics for reference.

I might have to buy a pig too. It’s too adorable!

I saw this sign at the cashier desk and I love the education and use of inclusive language here!

As I was leaving I noticed this cookie bucket! One cookie here is a little more than a whole bucket! These are probably better for you!

I sat and watched the history show….~again! Mike & Sara and family were right behind me. We were discussing blueberries and we decided to try the Double Berry Biscuit at Lulu’s. The biscuit was very thick and hard on the outside and the compote was not visually appealing, but tasted ok. Not enough balsamic drizzle for my tastes.

They were meeting up with some cousins from Wisconsin,so I tagged along to meet them. They encouraged me to stay with the group and find new and fun things to see and do. Surprisingly they’d been to the fair often, but had never seen crop art or butterheads! We had much to teach them!

The first question they asked was how do find parking for less than $50! I was shocked they paid that much on a Monday. I think they got bilked by some opportunists just as the lots filled up.

Food was first on the agenda and I asked if they were “deep fried goodness” or more clean eating. Due to some health concerns, we settled on the healthier options! I suggested Blue Moon Turkish pizza, and Mike got the Korean BBQ tacos. The Blue Moon is a movie house theme, snd the guys order pick up names were Marge Gunderson and The Dude!

The question I failed to ask was regarding spice levels! The Turkish pizza was a bit too much for them, so I enjoyed a quarter of it! It wasn’t my intention to scam them into giving me free pizza! I paid my fair share. Mike offered me a bite of the tacos too. A bit of a kick but delicious!

I sent them off to get a salty, yet mild turkey sandwich. Much more to their liking! It was 12:30, and getting hot. After the spicy food, a margarita was in order! If I could drink beer and domestic wines without allergic reactions I’d have so many more beverage options out here, but as it is, I’m ~stuck~ drinking these refreshing things all the time!

We slowly made our way through the ~Monday?!?~ crowds up to see the butterheads.

Sadly, the new butter carver was not presently at work sculpting a Princess, so our guests missed seeing them geared up for winter to be able to pass time in a 40° booth with fans circulating the cold air! It looks like black marker on the glass (in photo) but it’s a carving tool resting in the butter! The former butter carver Linda Christensen retired last year and her apprentice Gerry Kulzer took over. Sara joked that “his noses all look the same”. We’ll check back once they’re all are carved!

We skirted around the edge of the interior building and I lagged behind to see what the pork producers had to give away. Got a small meat thermometer! I caught up to the group and the cousin was going to go back into the crowd to get one, but I offered her mine. I can always go back!

The next stop was Ag/Hort to see the crop art. We entered through the FOOD wing and every day they pose a question and fairgoers answer it with chalk on plates. I answered todays question up high in blue!

The other day, the question was “what’s your favorite vegetable?! Mike wanted to write Scott Jensen 😂

The line for crop art was very long. Too long for our large group to go through backwards, inconspicuously. We opted for huge veggies instead, which they enjoyed seeing. We did get lucky though, CFANS (College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Sciences) from the UofMN is doing a collaborative piece of crop art throughout the fair. Anyone can sit and contribute to the project!

They at least got a taste of what seed art is. And of course I had a hundred pictures of it on my phone to share!

I have yet to get close to all the spooky garden displays, but I caught a glimpse of the ghostbuster kaleidoscope!

I suggested either apple cider freeze pops or honey ice cream for a uniquely Minnesota cookie treat and they voted unanimously for ice cream.

Sara went to meet Dave inside, while the rest of us walked the perimeter and by the time we reconnected, the two had already secured a bench for the parade. It was full on sun, so with help we moved it to a shady spot.

The other half of the family arrived, carrying food from the Union Hmong Kitchen. It’s one of the highly sought after new foods and the lines are very long. Even this Monday.

Despite being from Wisconsin, the cousins are Friends of the Fair. I went with him to fetch his member swag and I enquired about mom & dads faded brick. Turns out, they have no space for more bricks, but for a $250 donation, they’ll replace it. There’s something about keeping the one they bought. I’m not ready to let it go. I did find Mike & Kathleen’s brick on the way!

We watched the parade pass with lots of bands, art cars, robots and stilt walkers, but again, where are the horses? We were seated right across from where animals enter the parade, and other than the mounted police color guard, no animals appeared.

Jack was on a camping trip and our high anxiety dog Mildred won’t go outside for Randy. I had to head home for a bit. I think even without Mildred, I may have decided to take a break. The crowd density weather theory was packing the people in. I got to thinking that, maybe, in this post-pandemic, flex WFH (work from home) business model, many people were actually WFF…Working From Fair!

While it wasn’t a weekend attendance level, it felt super busy for a Monday. I said to somebody, it feels like a 120K day. I wasn’t wrong.

I went home and planned to get some blogging done, but I was behind on cleaning chores, so I caught up a little. I planned to eat something at home so I wouldn’t need food once I got back, but I put a piece of pizza in the microwave and get a message from Mike, that he was on his way over, and I promptly forgot about it.

We got back over and just walked for a bit. Mike had fresh legs, mine were a bit rubber. He had to slow his pace a bit for me to keep up on the hills. In search of something to eat, we just wandered. I often say when you’re at the fair a lot, there’s “food, food everywhere, but not a bite to eat”. We stopped at Taco King…. $7 for a little flavorless flour taco. Sorta like Taco Bell, only less flavor.

We kept wandering and headed to the Bazaar. The lines for Union Hmong Kitchen were almost to the gates. Mike opted for his favorite Jerk Chicken wings from West Indues Soul. I realized he was wearing one of the Chevy shirts we’d acquired!

We went to the talent show and slowly moved our way into decent seats for the DSL Dire Straits Legacy band, playing at 8:30. Once more people joined us to help save seats, Sara & I went for food. She got Tipsy Pies and I stopped for my second Giant Egg Roll. Even better than the first one I had! I think it was one of the owners who served me. I mentioned that their new place eM Que Viet was very close to my house, but somehow the egg rolls are a little better on a stick.

Mike & I stuck around for about half the show. I was tired and Millie was waiting to be fed and go out.

Tomorrow is Tuesday. My favorite fair day!