I was up at 5:30, and texted my friend Joan and asked if she wanted to go out for donuts. Her response “Amish Donut?” …yup!

I picked her up at 6:30 and we were third in line at the gate. As the gates opened, they informed us we had to move to a different gate. Only one security scanning system was working. Despite being farther back in a new line, we were the first people turning right and heading up Cosgrove.

Every day I’ve been on the north end, I’ve looked for the one bench I didn’t find on day one. Joan’s moms’ bench. Apparently I just needed Joan with me to spot it. The second green bench in front of 4H.

Even with the detour we were first in line for donuts.

The couple that were in front of us at the gate, who ended up behind us when the line moved, joined us in short order. They’d gotten the donuts on day one and were coming back for more. Not realizing it didn’t open until 9:00am, they didn’t have time to stay. We weren’t alone long, as people started lining up behind us.

Things we heard as we stood in line: “they’re donuts, it should be open earlier”, “I’m not gonna wait in line for something that’s not open yet”, (looking at watch reading 7:20am) “it’s not open until 9:00?!?” and my personal favorite “oh hell no!”. A kid came out and cleaned off the counters and set up the donut price sign at 8:00.

The gal (in pink) behind me asked him if they ever open a little early. He leaned in and told her they’d be open in ten minutes! The line now stretched all the way back to the Fine Art doors.

The windows opened and I got the first donut off the rack!

They’re small batch, hand cut and fried. The man himself Mr. Peachey making the donuts! I was so focused on the dough, I cut his head off. He pokes a hole and creates the ring by hand. No waste, no donut holes.

We took our coveted white bakery prize bags and sat on a nearby bench and devoured the first warm donut. My friend Trista saw us earlier and hopped in line and saw us eating and took our picture!

The line moved quickly and the got their prize too!

The main question everyone asks… “Are they worth it?” I guess I’d say yes. They’re different, and delicious.

Since we’d cut almost an hour off the wait, we had time to roam around a bit. This would be Joan’s only day out here. We checked out the Northwoods builders for housing ideas.

Then we walked down Underwood past the daily pop up and today it was my Kemps Cow! We grabbed the free ice cream sandwich and walked on.

If you need sunscreen in the coming days, Paddle North selling Sun Bum!

I saw a post that my favorite seasoning Livia’s was being offered at the Midway Men’s Club. The post indicated it was at the tables and on every burger. I looked and didn’t see it on tables, but the cooks provided proof of its use! No wonder they’re so tasty!

We swung through the Ball Park to be sure everybody was hanging in there on Day 9!

Next up, feeling lucky, we stopped at the lottery booth! Breaking even, but actually ahead with the hat bonus!

Thinking that this might be the only time there wouldn’t be a long line at Union Hmong Kitchen, we went into the Bazaar and we got lucky again! We got the Bao bun and the sausage that I never got last year. Both were good. The bun had an interesting texture, but the guts were amazing. We both liked the sausage best.

Joan was curious about the crop art chapstick, so we stopped to get a tube and made our way up the grandstand ramp to see Adam Turmans takeover of the upper level! Had to follow the selfie spot suggestion.

We love Adam Turman. So many cool new things, and maybe not new, but new to us. I loved the Loon. The lower part of the image is the Minneapolis skyline and the binary code creating the feathers is the year Minnesota became a state!

We were hoping to find the “geez Louise” sticker, but looking on the website they’re all sold out. Hoping they’ll restock at some point. I’m a fan of all these iconic sayings!

We wandered down to the West End and stopped to check out the stickers at i like you. I offered Sarah a donut, and she gladly accepted, but only needed a bite!

I usually wait til the last day to buy stuff when Randy has a scooter to carry all the things. Since we already had the family day, I decided to get my box’o’nuts today, knowing we were heading out shortly. Today was another perfect day to exclaim “we are nuts!” (For donuts)

It was only 10:30, we’d walked almost five miles and the day was heating up. Time to go! We walked blindly into the sun, up Dan Patch, through the accumulating crowd.

Almost to the gate, Joan reminded me she wanted to stop and see Pantsless Pierre! We wanted to see if you could see his butt, but the cake decorator gave him a bit longer tunic than the actual one! State Fair PG rating.

As crowds were pouring in, we were happy to be headed out. I hope to get back tonight to see the Meat Loaf tribute band.

Spent the afternoon catching up at home and blogging. Helped the family make tacos for dinner so I didn’t have to think about eating over at the fair. It was still pretty hot, but there was a lovely breeze.

Tonight, I picked Kathleen up and Mike was going to connect with us after work. We got an early start so we had time to wait in lines. She was determined to eat some pickle pizza.

First stop, a Guinness from O’Garas. If you’re smart, you avoid the long lines out front and sneak to the inside rail for food or if it’s just a beer you need, walk to the far back bar. No waiting! Even the bartender said, “I like working this bar, all my customers are smart. They know to come back here!“

The State Fair website crashed for a few hours today and cell coverage is spotty at best. A few message were exchanged to connect Kathleen and her sister as we headed towards the Ricks Pizza line. The south end was long and Kathleen took her place. I walked up to check the north side, but it seemed just as long and sunny. I rejoined Kathleen. We’d waited about 20 minutes and the line was moving, but slowly, so I decided to make a cocktail run. I told Kathleen to time me. I used to be able to get almost anywhere across the grounds in seven minutes. I said “I’ll be back in 15”. It’s all downhill to Cafe Caribe, but it was hot and I’d already clocked 5.2 miles today. I took the pass through and got there in six minutes. The lines were long and I scooted past the people waiting and sidled up to the end of the bar. The bartender looked at the long line and looked at me and I quickly said “I tip well”. She replied “what would you like?” I got as far as the grandstand park and took a quick drink time stamp photo and messaged Kathleen. I’d left her at 7:24 and it was now 7:35. I had four minutes to get back and it’s uphill all the way.

I made a tactical error and decided on less hills and cut through the Ball Park and Garden. So. Many. People. Two little kids and a big huge stuffed bear slowed me down as I tried to exit the building. I returned hot and sweaty with melting drinks, but I’d made it in 16 minutes. As Colleen & Kieran arrived, I had to explain to them why I was so flushed and dripping. They didn’t seem as impressed as I was. 😂

We were now just about ten minutes from the front of the line. We could smell it and see it.

I don’t like pickles, but everything else about that pizza seemed wonderful. The handmade crust, Alfredo sauce with dill and so much cheese. (All things I should not be eating). We got an extra slice for Michael, who was set to arrive soon.

Kathleen ate the main slice and gave me the last edge and crust to enjoy. Without the actual pickles, just the essence, it too was worth the wait.

Kieran was hungry so we cruised back to Afro deli. I’d eat those Sambusas every day. There was a line, but we waited in the hot steamy space. Today was just my day to wait in lines I guess.

I shared mine with Mike & Kathleen and they now understood why I liked them so much.

As we sat the Meat Loaf band started playing. I just kinda wanted to hear the greatest hits at the end, so we all walked together over to the Bazaar. As we walked, two lines of mounted police in full gear rode past headed down to the west end. Just the sight of them would make me behave!

High & Mighty we’re on the International stage. They’re a local group with some of the best horn players in the city.

I listened to the end and rejoined Mike & Kathleen. We got back to the bandshell, just as they started singing Paradise by the Dashboard Lights. Michael, impelled by the energy, led us right down front.

It was a great vantage point and fun spot to be. He finished with a Bat out of Hell, and we rocked our way out.

The Jonas Brothers were just ending at the Grandstand and we got to see the fireworks.

The weekend is forecast to be in the 100°’s. I’ll see how much time I can spend out there. I’ve really done all I want to do, but there’s a few musical performances I’d still like to see. Three days remaining.