Last week, Jack informed me that I never finished the blog last year. Those last three days might forever remain a mystery.

This year I have had a hard time getting excited for the fair. I wasn’t even sure I’d get to attend, as Randy had major surgery tentatively scheduled for next Monday. Thankfully for me, not so thankfully for him, it’s now in September.

My eyes are failing me and I’m beleaguered with my continuing big toenail struggles, so I too have upcoming surgeries, but my concerns about navigating the fair “Heather-style” may have contributed to my fair ambivalence.

The forecast of a record breaking day of heat, my sore toe and double vision didn’t stop us, however!

Jack is grateful the fair opens an hour later these days, so we were up @6, ate a solid breakfast and without too much traffic, made it to our reserved parking spot on Simpson Street. It’s not Mom & Dad’s house, but, despite being a couple doors down, it still feels like home.

All around the neighborhood are these signs. I just hope people read and heed them!

The plan was to meet up with Andrea, our annual first day walking tour buddy, and when we found her she’d already found my cousins Karla & Steve! A little too much time was spent catching up and chatting on the corner and Karla said “C’mon! Let’s go!”

This is an annual tradition for these two too.

We had a short wait in a long line before the gates opened and I got a chance to chat with the Governor. He knows my dog Mildred better than me, as our dogs go to the same day care!

The gates opened early and as we passed through security. Jack set off the sensors and stepping aside, he had to open ~all~ the pockets of his backpack, then as I told one security agent that he had steel toe boots, she proceeded to use Jack as a test subject and instructed all the new security agents on how to do a complete pat down and wand scan. Glad they’re all well trained now!

As I waited, I apparently made the “local” news…. A friend in South Dakota was watching KELO-tv and took this screen shot!

Once we all landed safely and securely, we headed for the History Walking tour brochure rack. Stop #6 on the map.

There are still 12 stops, but they’ve changed the signs and locations of some. Karla & Steve wanted to get their heart rates up, so they started off at a clip. We were a slow moving bunch, especially in the building heat and oppressive humidity.

We always head north and along the way I saw the DOT exhibit and our representative snowplow is “Plow Bunyan”.

Just a little further up the hill in Baldwin Park, I convinced Jack to pose as my “plow Bunyan”

Ambling, chatting and punching brochures as we went, I was looking at all the benches while they were still mostly empty! Andrea and Jack took opportunities to sit and rest while I circled the blocks looking for familiar names. I came across this bench and as I was taking a closer look, a couple walked up behind me and said “hey, do we know you?”

I said “I don’t think so, but I’m a Kelsey and I had to read the plaque and see if this was family”. They replied “Well, we are the Kelsey’s and this is our bench“. This family is originally from Montana. No relation. Funny, though, that we happened upon the bench at the same time. I found a few benches and texted the owners to see if they needed a clue. “Pie & Pie” could be my bench!

The only big change we noted up on the north end is the new Pickle Building. We did see later, the original Pickle booth is still down near the West End entrance. My friend Bart told me later, there is a plan to create a more welcoming area as you come under the arch at the West End, so this may be phase one of moving some of those established vendors.

I circled one block and saw a street tent on Wright at Underwood with a long line forming. It’s the Mall of America with a spinning wheel for a chance at a $500 gift card. I found out later, there’s a free bag too.

Karla offered me their extra bag later, but all I wanted was a picture of it!

We made it down to the West end, and some shops were just opening. Andrea likes to have a Nordic waffle for breakfast, so she waited in a very long line, but it was worth it. There’s lots of phone time, checking out other friends’ social media to be sure we’re not missing out on anything. My friends Becky & Bill were out here too, and they have a one day gastronomical adventure. They commented on Facebook that the Nordic waffle wasn’t up to par this year with unmelted cheese, and told me later that they were having some major hardware challenges with many waffles ending up in the trash, raw on one side and burnt on the other. Hopefully they’ll get the kinks out quickly!

An awesome local business is out here for the second year. I never stopped last year, but couldn’t resist the photo op this year, or the free samples.

They have a State Fair limited edition, small batch run that was fantastic and breaking my rule of not buying stuff on day one, I bought a jar. I’ll come back and get a four pack sampler on my “buy all the stuff” day.

The farthest walking tour punch is at the “Compeer Arena”. A building that has changed names along with sponsorship almost every year. It’s the newest of the large animal buildings closest to the Midway. Where many judging events take place and the llama contest. We hiked all the way down, to discover there’s no punch here. We took a quick selfie to prove we were there.

We took the Steichens alley short cut, to get back on the path to the next punch. This place is another institution here at the fair. It’s an on site mini-mart for various sundries!

It was almost time for the Star Tribune building to open and I was still looking for Mom & Dads bench. I’m always a bit unsettled until I find it and have a moment to check in with Don & Carol. Andrea & Jack took a seat while I made my way quickly through carousel park, checking out the various booths set up for STEM Day and searching the benches lined up along all the walls, under the tunnels and arches and partway up the grandstand ramp. No luck. I did come around the backside to get in a relatively short line and was rewarded with “crop art” chapstick. Wild rice flavored.

My friend Gayle did some recon later and learned there are no set giveaway times, you can walk up anytime and get one. I’m sure the Pronto Pup guy up the street is grateful. The chapstick lines and his customer lines intersected in years past creating line chaos; something that is hard for Minnesotans to navigate.

The STEM day activities were plentiful and super hands on. Building robots, batteries, lots of experimentation opportunities. I didn’t pick up any swag, other than a bag, because inside the bag was a fan!

We punched our cards at the DNR building and were nearing what I call “hell alley” (the street between Mancini’s and Sweet Martha’s). Always crowded with intersecting lines. There were lots of back to back blue benches and I was drawn to the inside track. The first bench I see is “the one”. Such relief. I was able to sit for a bit and relax for the first time all morning. As I sat I looked up to perfect view.

Mom & Dad are still ~there~ and all is right with the world.

Despite the oppressive heat, I felt relaxed and refreshed. We had only two punches remaining and I suggested we cut through Ag/Hort to see Crop Art, but there were very long lines so it would have wait. We did have one time constraint and that was Jack’s tele-health appointment at 10:30. He wanted to get back to the car in time for that. We did happily happen upon my friend E. With the recent legalization of recreational marijuana, E was headed to the Dirt stage to learn about new opportunities they offer so you can grow your own!

Andrea spied this T-shirt and the woman gave me permission to take a picture of her. I want that.

There was no air circulation whatsoever in the building, so I popped out the back side and saw, in the distance, Grammies’ bench. I knew where it was, as I saw it when I came to help with Alphabet forest prep earlier last week. I went to take an official picture, but the man resting there possibly needed to sit, much more than I needed a photo op. I just snapped a quick pic and knew I’d return.

We got our final punches and were awarded with a winner pennant. A slow trek this year, but we finished the task! Karla & Steve were the first ones done this year!

Mom & Dad have one of the original bricks here at the Bailey House. It’s almost impossible to read. “Honoring Many State Fair Memories Donald and Carol Jo Kelsey.” The people in charge told me there’s really no way to restore it. I’m thinking about coming one day, off season, with some black lacquer and hand painting it!

We went into the tent to pick up our “Friends of the Fair” benefits, and Jack headed off to grab a bite to eat and get back to Simpson street for his appointment and Andrea connected with her friend Shannon. I was left to my own devices for a bit.

It was time for pie!

They have a new food this year, savory “Italian Duo Dunkers”, which I learned later in the day had outsold the long-standing #1 seller in my heart and Tipsy Pie history, the boozy blueberry lemon.

I’m quite sure my body does not like dairy, so I’m slowly decreasing my dairy intake. Sadly…. This pie has dairy. Trying to avoid a huge eczema flare, I’m going to have to limit my pie intake this year.

While making my way ~to~ the Tipsy Pie booth, I had to navigate around the Mouth Trap Cheese curd rope lines. They encompass the entire open length of the food building, without a pass through and leaving about ten feet in front of Peter’s Hot Dogs, for customers and a traffic lane. Not acceptable. Sara took me on a short walkabout trying to find the guy in charge so I could tell him to FIX IT. We didn’t find him, so I’m going to check later to see if the situation gets rectified, or I’ll write a note on the complaint line.

Pie in hand, I rounded the corner to say Hi to my favorite fair bartender at the Ball Park. His line was long, so I just got a quick pic. Can’t keep people from their mini donut breakfast beer!

A friend told me that the University of Minnesota was departing from the central building this year. While they are present in many different locations around the fair (CFANS, Ag/Hort, the Driven to Discover spot, etc), it’s strange to not see the stage out front and stand in line for whatever popular giveaway they usually have. Inside the athletic department is still represented, there’s gear for sale, but the other half of the building is filled with tables and chairs. They might come in handy one day later in fair.

I connected with my favorite family and headed up to meet them in the Alphabet Forest. One of my personal favorite authors, David LaRochelle, was featured as Blue Ribbon author for the day.

Kids got to fill out an application and adopt a dragon!

I had to read “Moo!”, one my favorite books. ❤️

It was highly suggested I check out the vendor down the street. I walked a few feet over to the Human Touch tent and spent 10 minutes in a $10,000.00 massage chair, with cooling fans blowing on me. It was amazing and free, but I’m not sure I’d recommend after two very hot, sweaty days at the fair. I got a fresh one!

As I continued on my way down Cosgrove, I popped into the Creative Activities to get my recipe card. The rest of the building will wait for a cooler day.

Jack texted to tell me that on his way to get food and head back to the car he realized he’d forgotten his wallet. I was hot, without an agenda until parade time, and Mildred needed to get outside, so I headed back to the car for a quick stop home midday. Upon exiting I asked for a return stamp “up high” so I could wash myself without losing it. The gate attendant offered me a paper one. I like it!

I sat down at home. Big mistake!

It took some effort to regroup and head back out in the heat of the day. Jack had eaten nothing since breakfast, and all I’d had was pie, so we stopped for a giant egg roll on the way to meet family for the parade. Hot, crispy, delicious and $11 bucks this year!

Thankfully, Steve & Karla had staked out a shady bench from which to watch the parade. We got to meet Jack’s second cousin, once removed, Sweet baby James for the first time! This was his first fair! Last year, his mom Keira went into labor while leaving the fair on day one. To add to the story, Keira was also born 26 years ago today, after her mom, Karla, walked the state fair all day. Happy Birthday Keira! James turns one on Saturday!

Before the parade started, I needed to wash my hands and get more water. I popped into Ag/Hort where they have new water bottle filling stations and I decided an apple cider freeze was also in order. There were crazy long lines, but I snuck through and followed the Carol Jo line motto “always go to the left” stepped right up and got my frozen treat.

It was a beautiful day for a parade!

It’s Fairborne’s 40th birthday! Legend has it, Fairchild went back to his hometown Gopherville in 1982, looking for a sidekick and in 1983, returned with his nephew Fairborne! (Historical lore from my friend Gayle)

James is all about wheels! It’s always more fun watching a kid watch a parade!

The parade units were small, but all the marching bands were there, all dressed in summer casual uniform. I was really happy to see the Minnesota Zoo Wells Fargo Wagon was back. It looks like a new team, with lots of extra handlers. I might need to try to catch a ride one day!

Groovy Art cars, mascots, stilt walkers and the big bull were all present, but it was a short parade today.

After the parade, the Rachac family made their way in one direction, Jack connected with his bestie Raelyn, and I was once again left to my own devices.

Lucky for me, my friends Becky and Bill checked in. Although they were quite spent from their gastro-tour and adult beverage consumption, they extended their visit to share time and stories with me. I took them to visit Carol & Don, who hold a special place in their lives as Godparents to Becky. They had a moment at the bench too.

We found a table that was in partial shade for a while and reminisced. I did most of the storytelling, as I encouraged them to drink more water!

As we sat, Jack & Raelyn happened upon us. The sun had overtaken our oasis, and I was finally in need of an adult beverage, so we walked over to Cafe caribe. Becky thoroughly enjoyed her first State Fair frozen Margarita slushie!

Becky & Bill soon took their leave, and I had plans to meet Jack here at Cafe Caribe at 5. We connected and made our way up to the bandshell to get seats for the talent show. We had grand plans to stay until the end tonight, but we were beat by the heat. Waiting for the talent show, we were entertained by C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band. After listening for half an hour, Jack decided he hated Zydeco music.

We made it through three acts, and in case you’re wondering… the host remains the same for this years 50th Talent Show!

Mike & Kathleen we’re heading over for The Black Keys at the Grandstand tonight. Discretion was the better part of valor as Jack & I made the decision to head home before sunset. We just missed Mike as they entered security at the same moment we exited Gate 5. My eyes and feet were sore, but it was a great first day. Over twelve hours and 20K steps. I showered and was sound asleep by 8:30!