We picked up the snack du jour on our way into the fair today. They were another tortilla chip, this time multigrain. Two thumbs up!
I walked with Stella down to her gate since Dad was volunteering for the Foundation at the Fair Wear booth in the West End Plaza. I picked up the hat my friend Estella wanted. Actually, Stella got it for her using her employee discount. I have no shame.
Dad walked up eastward with me since he had some "suggestions" for improving the sales of coupon books and capitalizing on the west end location in an effort to increase foundation revenue. This year there is a lot of learning going on. He headed to the Bailey House and I headed to the Forest.
It seems not matter how I try, I am always early for my shift, but not early enough to actually go see something! I have yet to see an animal, fine art, creative activities, eco or northwoods stuff. Since this was the last day for the "customize a coke" booth, I decided to try for a few friends who commented on my Facebook page who had not gotten one yet and for one friend in particular who "never gets her name on anything". The two names I had in mind were Ellen and Zarida. As I stood in line, who should arrive behind me but Ellen's brother Ethan! He told me Ellen was covered, so I decided to try for Zarida and her husband Dick.
As you wait in line, it winds past the "The Wax Hand" booth (remember the crew that disturbed the hornets nest). They decided to take advantage of the crowds of people and do some direct marketing too! I think it would be a cute display, cuz you'll never really drink the little coke right?
I got to my Coca-Cola computer screen and typed in "Zarida". Sadly, it was not in the database....Zarida you are right. You never get you name on anything :( I decided to try "Dick" and as I typed it in, the young man from Coca-Cola said "Um, Ma'am, you can't type that......." oops! Since I could not get Zarida, and apparently Dick is foul language. I had to quickly think up names....Lisa and ME! I figured I might as well have one.
It was a hot steamy day so many of the kids at the photo booth today had a low melting point... as did some parents. I try my best to keep things happy, fun and get the pictures as fast as I can! The ones that crack me up are the "portrait" seekers. They stand there with their phones/cameras for 10 minutes trying to get the kids to pose and "move the letters down a little", "to the left a little" "can you move back more?" OK, now smile!
I realized that I didn't even know if the pictures I was taking every day were even turning out, so I checked out the Alphabet Forest page on the State Fair Website and it turns out, they are not too bad!
Every day I have been in the photo booth and lady has appeared with a chicken hat and different group of people. Today I asked her if she is a fair tour guide and she said "Yes! I charge a fee and take groups around the fair and I donate the money to my charities". Her name is Kay King and I aim to find out more tomorrow!
This is the first year Debra has offered books in Braille and today a little girl who was blind was the first child to sit and read one! To quote Debra. "Today's magic in the Alphabet Forest!"
Late in the day we were under a tornado watch and as the sky grew greener and darker we began to batten down the hatches in the Forest. Debra has this thing down to a science! A woman after my OCD heart! Every table, every activity, every sign has its own plastic covering, labeled and in a tub. The table covers, chairs, signs and activities she has made have lasted five years and with this system should last for five more!
The rains came, but no tornado.
When the rain moved out, and my shift was over, I got in line again for two last cokes. One for Gayle and Stella's good friend Raelyn. Gayle might not make it back out to the fair in time and Raelyn is another person who must rarely find her name on anything!
My Coca~Cola collection today
Mom and I watch a good talent show! Lots of good singers, and a great band, but they all lost out to the yo~yo kid and a beat boxing break dancer!. There was a bonus lightning show off to the north too!
Not sure if we were hungry, we walked down toward the bandshell to check out the entertainment and see about a bite. Paul Cebar and Tomorrow Sound were performing....never heard of them. The crowd was pretty light due to the fact that it was hot, rainy and Sunday night and maybe not too many others are familiar him either!
One thing on my State Fair bucket list is to listen to a concert from one of the Leinie Lodge Adirondack chairs. They are always occupied. Well....not tonight!
The music was mediocre, the chairs uncomfortable and the air was like pea soup. Since I had a heavy load to carry home anyway and it was almost the end of the day, we headed out and I decided to get my tub of taffy, while there were no lines.
We were walking to Gate 5 when the fireworks began. Our view was excellent!
Stella asked if I could pick her up at the Asbury Street rain garden tonight. She told me that those last two blocks to Grandma's house are the longest blocks ever. I walked back with Mom and returned to pick her up. She regaled me with another night of drunk & disorderlies and really bad, fake stamps, but her feet were hanging in there and she generally likes her job!
Cool weather is on the horizon!
Distance: 10,247
Freebies: tortilla chips
Food: Green Mill slice and two spoonfuls of Dad's Kiwanis Malt!
Something New: Sat in Leinie Lodge Adirondak chair!
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