I started by exploring a table at the Ball Park cafe, enjoying a cold one all by myself, watching people, contemplating my plan for the evening. I finished my beer and realized that I need to hone my "friend making skills".
Mom is amazingly skilled at it. She meets people wherever she goes, and always finds someone to save her seat while she makes a bathroom run, or needs a little something to eat. Usually, the new friend turns out to be someone who knows someone who grew up with, or worked with, or went to church with or was involved in scouting with, or played bridge with my Mom or Dad!
I was not feeling very social, and if I consumed another beer I might never get up and move, so I embarked on my journey. Time was of the essence, since the buildings close at 9pm.
I thought about the Bazaar, but knowing it was open later I opted for the Empire Commons. it will always be the Dairy Building to me. I walked through quickly as it was empty! 
Took a quick look at the butter heads, with no crowds to sneak through
checked out the winning bacon and sausage! Now that's some nice bacon!
I saw all the booths I wanted to see and was missing Stella every time I turned around. I took pictures of the holes, missing faces, and the egg chair missing a kid, the putting green where she would golf with me....and I walked up to the Giant Slide with no kid sliding down....all the lonely places. I walked past the Fresh French Fries booth and I snapped a picture of the French Fry Fairy. 
The line that usually snakes down the block (for a chance to win free fries) was a few people long. I wanted to get a picture of the new neon signs all lit up, but I got part of it. 
I have been told by three different people to try to Dough-sant at the French Meadow Bakery. Three strikes and I am in! They were still making them at 8:45, and, well....it was awesome! 
Glad I did not have to share it!
It was still so warm outside, I was reluctant to explore more buildings, but Mom hoped I would make it to the Grandstand to pick up a set of Nellie's dryer balls. I started up the ramp to see the top first, and looked for my Florian Ratcheting Pruning Tool guy. Mine was broken and I need to get another one. Turns out the Florian guy is gone, but this guy has been at the fair for many years too and he extolled the virtues of his vs. the one I own, and I think he won me over. I didn't buy it yet, but he sure greased the wheels by giving me a free bottle of cleaner and lubricant for the Florian pruner I already have. 
The shirt guy is there again this year, with a bigger booth and more stuff, jackets and polos for cheap cheap cheap! Randy will have to check it out.
I also found the people that sell drain stoppers that are dishwasher safe, since the ones we got for our new(ish) sink do not work as well as I thought. I did not buy those yet either. I typically shop on Labor Day. I would rather carry a bag full of junk on ONE day, not all twelve days.
I headed downstairs to find the window guys who give away back scratchers. I do not know which booth it is, as they were all starting to close up shop as it approached 9pm. I also couldn't check out sewing machines (mine is dying if not already dead) since they were all covered up!
I'll need to go back to check them out, find the back scratcher and if it cools off I might even buy some fudge! I did come across the Zubaz booth! 
I had walked up and down all the aisles and on my last turn found Nellie's. Phew, just in the nick of time. The doors were closing and I snuck out the side. I made my way to the meeting point to find the girls and there they were right on time. The wanted one last ride on the Sky Ride so I walked up to meet them at the east end. I walked past Dino's and stopped to listen to High and Mighty play on the stage. Great music in hidden places all over the fair!
The girls sky ride car arrived just after I got to the end 
The girls had a fun night on rides and seeing animals, and returned with half a bucket of cookies! Randy would be happy!
One more day of work and then a nice long weekend...at the fair!
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