A few stops for cash and coffee and we were on our way in the gate. First stop was the Ag-Hort building. I had not entered the place yet, and its one of my favorite stops!
We entered though the evergreen, ever cool Christmas Tree annex.
The floral displays surrounding the atrium run the gamut! Some are quite lovely,
A "must see: in my book are the gyroscope kaleidoscopes in the center atrium.
Beautiful planters that spin with mounted kaleidoscopes to view them through!
Walking through the floral wings, (I missed the Gladiolas again this year) there seemed to be a theme "Minnesota, Places to Go, Things to See". Some of the displays were cute,
some lovely,
Some interesting,
and some just confusing.
Next wing was Crop Art! I love it all, lots of Prince themes this year,
some political,
Some just about love!
My favorite was this chicken, created as an amateur entry by a St. Olaf guy and rumor has it this stellar chicken was named "Stella" I actually left an inquiry card to see if it was for sale!
On the way to huge vegetables, we found some cute scarecrows!
In the giant vegetable area, none of the offerings particularly stood out as photogenic, some were a bit decomposed...
This cabbage is in reference to Nancy's hand.
We stopped in the apple wing to pick up the Minnesota apple season guide and indulge in a cider freeze! A bargain still at $1.50.
We wandered through all the wings and Nancy indulged me and we took advantage of all the photo op stops!
Before leaving the Ag/Hort, Nancy renewed her subscription to The Horticulture Society and I was the beneficiary of two new plants....
Not sure if they will survive in my garden...let alone in my bag for a day at the fair.
The live, active, interactive, bee demonstration was in full swing, so I avoided that wing, but snapped a picture of some of the lovely beeswax by-products!
And FYI....
After the fruits, veggies, seeds, flowers and honey, we moved over to the Dairy Building to see the beef, lamb, bacon and butter heads!
We accomplished much before 11am, but now needed sustenance. Nancy chose the feature product from Chan's Chicken on a stick.
It was just that.
So needing a little something more, she got a yummy soft pretzel. I got my second foot long hot dog from the longest family owned stand near the DNR and I gotta say...it was not quite as well done and "snappy" as the one I had on the first day. It might have been my last.
I made a quick stop to pic up my member freebie @ MPR!
I have to remember to return at 2pm Friday to hear Cantus!
Our next plan was finding dogs!
We began the climb to the north end Pet Center and who should we run into but this blast from our past! I have seen Roxy often in the pas few years, but Nancy has not seen her for probably 35 years! It was serendipity!
Nancy could not remember if she was a fan of the corn dog or Pronto Pup.
So she decided a taste test was in order. The lines are always long for the Pronto Pup (the Minnesota State Fair exclusive) Corn dogs are found everywhere. I saw this sign about the Golden Pronto Pup and it is the 10 thousandth dog sold at the fair.
The employees never know which stand or when it will be served, but the upper echelon does, and apparently there are news crews on site as it s about to go down. I am not a fan of this particular food item, but if you'd like Pronto Pups for life...watch for a hullabaloo around a stand near the later days of the fair!
This cabbage is in reference to Nancy's hand.
We stopped in the apple wing to pick up the Minnesota apple season guide and indulge in a cider freeze! A bargain still at $1.50.
We wandered through all the wings and Nancy indulged me and we took advantage of all the photo op stops!
We got some free pollinator seeds here...
Before leaving the Ag/Hort, Nancy renewed her subscription to The Horticulture Society and I was the beneficiary of two new plants....
The live, active, interactive, bee demonstration was in full swing, so I avoided that wing, but snapped a picture of some of the lovely beeswax by-products!
After the fruits, veggies, seeds, flowers and honey, we moved over to the Dairy Building to see the beef, lamb, bacon and butter heads!
We accomplished much before 11am, but now needed sustenance. Nancy chose the feature product from Chan's Chicken on a stick.
I made a quick stop to pic up my member freebie @ MPR!
Our next plan was finding dogs!
Nancy could not remember if she was a fan of the corn dog or Pronto Pup.
Walking north we found the new Sweet Martha's Tent!
Yay Dogs! It was the perfect day to be at the Pet Center! All of my friends' favorite dog breed were represented today!
Shepherds for Lisa,
We wandered back through cute yard furniture
We lucked upon an ice cream giveaway at the Kemps booth and got photobombed by a cow!
I don't need to try and win a cow this year, so thenpressure is off here!
I wanted to show Nancy Paul Bunyan, and I heard rumor about a big pile of dog poop photo op.
Nancy said I should plant this kind of Black Eyed Susan....This photo is just for future reference.
I stopped by the Alphabet Forest and got a picture of these two lovely ladies who keep the forest in tip top shape all morning until I arrive at 3! LOL
Ms Sue Heather (on the left) was named WCCO Good Neighbor volunteer at the fair this year! It turns out we have lived parallel lives for many years. Until we became "Facebook friends" and discovered all our mutual friends, we had no idea! She and her husband were Lendways regulars and good friends of Iggy & Sharon. We had to have been there at the same time back in the 90's!
She told me that being "Mrs. Heather" has been disappointing for some as they arrive in the Forest looking for Ms. Heather... LOL
We took a detour through the Creative Activities Annex and at the far end is Kim Norlien, "painter of peace and tranquility". I had honestly never heard of him, but his artwork is prolific. What attracted me to his booth as the display of puzzles!
Walking by the Swiss peeler man, (I think he is longest standing State Fair Hawker) these two ladies were mesmerized by a peeler!
Nancy's time with me was coming to an end, so we spent our last half hour admiring all the beautiful baked goods! I love, love, love all these cookies!
These cakes are impressive!
Nancy has taught me to really look through the Creative Activities for the most "interesting" entries! This Carol Burnett theme was blue ribbon winner,
But I do so love this quilt,
and found this cute Pickachu,
and who doesn't need Lederhosen??
I also finally found Ann's beautiful mittens!
Nancy headed back to Moms house to meet her daughter transport home and I headed up to my volunteer post, stopping for my first Kiwanis chocolate malt thus far!
I had a few extra minutes to take some picture of the side of the alphabet forest that I rarely see! We have the word kitchen, coloring and letter writing stations and make a name necklace!
I had a few friends stop by to visit me in the Forest today! My buddy Luke (who is also a big preschool kid now) ran into my arms!
One of my current charges and her big sister (and family) stopped up to visit too! Maggie and my favorite thing to do it read together! I asked her to come read story with me...and she promptly sat right down on the ground (like she'd do in group time with me at school!) I told her she could climb up into a chair nearby and we could read together!
I had done quite a bit today for someone who was supposed to be resting and recovering...
I stopped down to Guest Services, which I learned this year is a public area, and its where you go to register complaints about the fair. No wonder I have ~never~ been there. What do I possibly have to complain about???? I wanted to assure Alexi I was still alive after my ER visit and I realized I did have a complaint..... the bugs at the fair.
I stopped for the Mike's harder lemonade slushie,
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