Early Start!

Stella started her work day today at 7:00 am.  With feet snug inside hiking boots, fitted with Red Wing custom insoles, I dropped her off at Earle Brown parking lot so she would only have to get across the lot, instead of traversing the grounds.

I planned to meet Stella for lunch, so I used my time to blog and then got to the fair by 10:00 am.
These guys were just heading to the fair as I was finishing up my blog at Mom & Dad's.

Apparently Paul has inherited the State Fair Gene.  Margit told me he was up at 3, 4, and 5 am asking if it was time to go to the Fair.  He was told "no" and instructed to return to bed each time. By 6 am, there was no sending him back to bed!  I wonder how many tractors he will climb on before he is sound asleep in that stroller!

The booth where you can enter names into a computer database and "Customize a Coke" had long lines yesterday and by the time I tried to get in line, they were closing.  They are open from 11-7 Saturday and 12-8 Sunday.  (Then gone!)

Today I wanted to be first in line. I waited for a full hour, but got these!

I knew I would return for more!

As I was waiting, I looked down and realized I was standing in almost green grass!

Last year (or longer ago) I purchased "Sani Foam" from the foamy soap people in the Lower Level Grandstand.  I have one dispenser left and a large refill jug, but with Stella and I both in constant, sticky, icky, people contact, we needed another one. I went I buy anew for Stella and checked out some other stuff too!

I shopped for a new sewing machine, looked at customized golf towels for my loved ones, drooled over the fudge, but then noticed lots of new vendors!  I perused the new fangled "Home Tweet Home" recycled plastic bird houses that supposedly thwart squirrels because one model attaches to your window. 

There is a "Gadgets 4 You" booth with all sorts of gadgets, mainly electronic, but not exclusively. 

Puzzle cars that drive all over.

And Jimmy's Hooks.  Very cool removable hooks of all sizes and uses that adhere without glue or adhesive to any flat, non porous surface. I might need to give them a try in my classroom!  

There is a Kinetic Sand booth, and customized beer barrels.  The clog and sparkly flip flop people.  I might have tested the sleep number bed, but I might have overstayed my welcome. There were a few others I missed.  I did not have enough time today so it will need to be revisited! 

I needed to meet Stella for lunch by noon, and I was hoping to check out all the Fire Activities on Dan Patch for Governor's Fire Prevention Day.....but as I got closer, there were no fire trucks!  I would investigate after lunch.  

I arrived a little early and chatted with Stella's supervisor, Jim.  (He grew up a couple blocks away from me!)

Jim filled me in on the new gate info!  Yesterday the West End Market gate's admission total was greater than ALL the other gates combined!   The downpour at 8 am on opening day caused a few logistical troubles, as the entire West End Plaza was under water, so they moved the ribbon cutting ceremony to the new State Fair Arch, while a two man grounds crew tried to put all the floating wood chips back into their respective gardens!  (Two guys were all that were available since this was not the only area having troubles due to the deluge)  Jim and another guy watched from under tents as the rain caused actual waves to roll across the new transportation lot.  Waves that went up over their shoes!!

The day started slowly and there is a learning curve as to which gates (there are 12 total I think, six on each side of the ticket booth) to open to control traffic and staffing.  There will be many "notes for next year"!

Stella was relieved for lunch and they only have a half an hour to find food, get food and eat food.  I think that on the weekends she will need to pack a lunch since getting to food will take longer and food lines will be long!  Stella found a nice picnic table and rested her sore body while I ran to get food.  She has bruises from enthusiascially samping returning fairgoers hands the day before!

I ran up to Mike's and got us a couple burgers and fries. Always a great bargain at the fair!  Two cheeseburgers and a small fry for $7.50.  They are small burgers, but who needs a 1/3 lb burger when there are so may other things to try!

There are hawkers and freebie giveaways still going on outside the Snelling gate 5, and this morning I forgot I was offered a bunch of snack bars.  Stella & I tried each kind.  Sorry, but they are NOT our favorites.  Maybe not even of we were starving. They are Kosher, vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, GMO-free and apparently delicious-free.  

While at the West End Plaza, I checked out scooter rental info for Randy when he comes with us on Labor Day.  I learned we can go online and reserve it before we get here!  

Stella went back to work and I decided to check out the new History Center.  It is full of fun state fair historical facts and photos. The only design flaw I see is that many of the photos are set up on a triangular based prism block that can turn so you can read facts on all three sides.  We Minnesotans, who have all been raised to keep our hands behind our backs in a museum are not turning the blocks!   It is hard though too, because what of someone is trying to read the block that you want to turn!  It did not stop me, I turned as many blocks as I could find, partially hoping to let people know it can be done!  As I was reading the beer block, I turned it to find this photo!  I am not sure if Theisens, (my friends who own the Ball Park Cafe) know about it, so I will show them my picture later.

Looking at the photo of the old Kazoo Man, I heard a couple talking about how she used to love him!  Dad was just recounting a funny story the Kazoo man told and how he was a favorite stop for him too. I turned and shared Dad's story with these total strangers...(because that is what you DO at the fair) and it turns out, she knows our family.  Yes.  Right.  ONE DEGREE PEOPLE.  She grew up near the other Kelsey family in Roseville, but she knows Rick Kelsey! This is Mary Beth (Loveland) Johnson and her husband....whose name I did not write down..so I cannot remember!

I asked a young firefighter that I saw at lunch where I might find the Fire Trucks and he told me they were up at the north end this year. He looked at me a little funny as he answered my question, probably thinking, "why does this old lady, with no children, want to find the fire trucks???"

I decided I would get up there by bravely attempting the Sky Glider again this year.  I found an unused return ticket from last year after the unfortunate one hour dangle!  I saw these fun people waiting in line ahead of me!

Down below I spotted a tented area with a sign that reads "Blue Ribbon Picnic Area"  I did not know about this so I checked out the fair website and I found you can reserve it for up to 500 people to host a gathering at the fair. hmmmmm....wedding?  

I kept a lookout for fire trucks....but I love th views from up here!

The Sky Glider stopped a few times and once was stopped long enough for me to get a little agitated...and I called dad to tell him where I was!  

I still need to win a cow.  I tried, but no luck.

The roof has become a place to drop your undergarments now...things, and bras and undies...Oh my!

I like this blue tent!!!!!

I will wait to sing with friends....maybe.  There is a new playlist and I want to be there to see all the people sing "Let it Go" from Frozen!

I departed the Sky Glider safely, thinking I would do it again....and headed to the information booth to ask about the Fire Prevention day activities...as I approached the booth..I realized I was standing next to a fire truck...:)

I made my way through the exhibits, spinning all the wheels I could. I snagged a very nice bag from Regions, a bag for emergency preparedness, a fire extinguisher bag (the one with the nice bottom) and a couple potholders and a few sunscreen bottles.  Pleased with my haul, I wandered through the pet center. I was not interested in the dog breeds, that day, but I did laugh when I saw the Havanese exhibit and saw this little nose sticking through the gate.  The sign says Russian Toy dogs, but Carole, Ruth and I know them as "Cuban street dogs"...lol

I decided to try my luck at the Home Depot spinning wheel, hoping to win something lightweight this year. Last years half gallon of bathroom cleaner was a pain to carry!  The wait was quite long, but I had nice people to chat with ( no family connection this time) and the space was air conditioned!!!!  

I won orange mints! Compact and lightweight!  The people in line behind me won the ratchet strap...heavy!

I headed toward the Alphabet Forest where I was due to sign in at 3:00.  I walked past the new Shooting range.

 Might have to check it out with Stella some day. I saw the line for the Customized Coke was not too long, so I waited about 20 minutes and was able to get more!

Today was a busier day at the The Alphabet Forest, but a few friends stopped by to say hello and made the time go by! 

Happy Birthday (tomorrow) Candace!

I will see this young lady dance with CAAM Chinese Dance Theater tomorrow at the Bazaar!

Laurie & her sister Julie stopped by one more time before Laurie returns to Sweden!

Stella was off work at 4 pm and she was back at Mom's resting, waiting for me to take her home.  After my shift I wanted to try one more time to get Cokes for my boss and her family.  Tina has been looking for a coke with her name on it since the campaign started.  She has had no trouble finding Allejando, but no Tina!  As I waited, the young girl in front of me asked me about names available.  Her name was Danae. I told her I would save her place if she wanted to go an ask before waiting!  She came back with good news and shortly was joined by her Mom and Aunt.  The newcomers had no desire to make a coke, so as we chatted (we are all teachers) I asked if they weren't going to do it, if they would each be willing to make one for me.  They did and I was able to get the entire Vandervort family covered! 

Stella was waiting for me and we returned home and made a home cooked meal and took nice long hot showers.  Feeling refreshed, we were both in bed and sound asleep by 9 pm.

This was my haul for the day!

 The bottom right folder is the educator packet that teachers can ask or at the Alphabet Forest.  Since my bag was laden with eight cans of coke, I decided to bring folders for my teacher cohorts too.  Might as well carry all the heavy stuff once! 

The blog had to wait until Saturday morning!  

Distance:  I only walked 11,755 steps ( too much standing around in the photo booth!)

Freebies: I got Regions, Sprinkler, and Emergency bags, sunscreen, potholders, flyswatters, fans, SPF30 lip balm, Alphabet Forest teacher kits, cokes, cokes, cokes!

Food: Mikes cheeseburger, fries and awful snack bars.

Something new:  Made cokes, and found the picnic area!