Another Fair Day

Today I went back to the Minnesota State Fair with Kyle and Cate. The original plan was for Kyle and I to ditch both kids and go on our own. But Cate begged and I relented (document that!) with some ground rules--she will not be carried and she will not whine.

We dropped Max off at Jeanine's house and we were at the U of M campus and on the bus around 11:30. Everything from the bus ride on was so exciting for Cate. Having her with us ended up as a benefit as it ensured that we would enjoy a slower pace going around the fairgrounds.

We ate:
*Footlong hot dog
*Brat with pepper and onions
*Chocolate malt
*Sweet Martha's cookies
*Cheese curds
*Pronto pup
*Tiny Tim mini-donuts
*Pizza bread
*Gelato

We enjoyed the livestock barns, the Sky Ride, the Giant Slide, walking through the many building and watching a couple of shows in the 4-H building and at a couple of free stages. We even happened to be walk opposite Al Franken and he stopped for a photo op with another family. Kyle took the chance to shake his hand.

Cate's favorite part of the day was getting a "Fair-do." I wonder what the parishioners will think when she shows up for Mass.

Me and Cate on the bus
The Jensen Family Snowmen
Cate and Kyle in the Sky Ride GondolaView from the gondola

The Giant Slide

An Al Franken sighting

Cate and her "Fair-do"

The Great Minnesota Get-together

Thursday was the first day of the Minnesota State Fair. This year, I went with my two sisters and we had a great time. Everything cliche about the State Fair is correct:

• just about every food is served on a stick (ironically, of everything we ate, only the pronto pups the girls ate were on a stick)
  
• there is a blue ribbon for everything
  
• it is a prime place for serious people watching
  
• you see everything from livestock to every possible radio station and tv station in the local area
  
• the politicians like to stomp

We covered a lot of territory in six hours. At the end of the day my feet were quite sore, but I can't wait to go back again.

Left to right: Jeanine, Jolene, me

Aussie Pride

Australian Battered Potatoes with ranch dressing and cheese sauce

The great Cheese Curd booth in the food building

The crowds never end

The brave faces trying the newest food at the fair: chocolate-covered pig lickers
Chocolate-covered pig lickers close-up
One of the many demo booths
Me and Jeanine taking a short break
A fascinating Blue Ribbon winner...seriously?
Already dreaming of a White Christmas