Saturday afternoon

Stayed home for the morning, blogged and soaked.  Headed to the fair around 12:30, got ~to~ the fair about 40 minutes later.  Traffic lights out at at Lexington and Hwy 94, took a self detour around Victoria. Got back to Lexington only to be backed up by traffic and shuttle buses under the railroad bridge...I detoured again and luckily the road construction through the Como lake neighborhood was finished, so crossed at Horton in a perpendicular fashion.  I looked left as I crossed Lexington, and the bus trying to get under the bridge was still there.  I made a wise choice.

Once I got to Simpson area, parking, again, was at a premium.  $40/car at Frankson & Pascal....really!?!?

Mom & I walked over together.  Two and a half days remaining and there is much Mom has not seen!  As we were about to cross the street, we stopped at the sidewalk to allow the A Line rapid transit Snelling Ave Super bus, drive past us.....ON ARONA!  

There were police officers standing at the rain garden at Frankson and Asbury.  We figured something was going down on Snelling.  

My water guy is still hanging in there! Stella says it is not OK that I don't know his real name.  It's Ronnie.  I asked him!

We were right, protesters were peacefully marching down Snelling on this, the day, Philandro Castille was being laid to rest in St. Louis.

We got across Snelling and into the gates as all the calm, awesome  security and police forces closed the gates and created a safety barrier.

Mom & I had lots to do so we did not wait to see the people marching.  Apparently the gates were closed for about 45 minutes and traffic was backed up and rerouted for a bit, but all in all, peaceful and to the point.

Karla, Steve & family were saving a bench on the parade route.

This would be the first day I sat and watched the entire thing!

I won't bore you with all the parade pics, but when Fairchild & Fairbourne arrived, I wanted a pic of the two of them together.  I shouted out to Fairbourne,

whose back was to us, and he spun for a picture.  He then proceeded to try and outdo Fairchild!

I shouted to Fairchild that we loved him too, and got a reaction!

After the parade, Karla showed me the new plastic bucket at Fresh French Fries.  They put a coffee filter in the bottom, because Karla thinks the hot grease on the fries was melting the bucket!  It was kinda nice!  I tried to think of all the State Fair uses! 

Mom and the Rachac clan headed into Ag/Hort to see the Kaleidoscopes, and I headed for pie!

I picked one up for Dan, the man in the Forest and tried a couple times to stop for lunch, only to find block long and longer lines for OofDa Tacos, Foot Long hotdogs and even Pizza at Green Mill.  I snagged another cereal bowl sample.  I think I have over ten now for Stella to take to St. Olaf.  Cereal, but no lunch.  Good thing mom & I made a stop at Bailey House on the way to the parade and I picked up some salty snacks again!  I promptly forgot I had them, when I got to the forest a bit early, but was asked to jump in as it was super busy!  These two ladies take good care of the a Forest all during the day.  Day ten, long, busy day! But still smiling!  

I manned the photo booth again this afternoon.  I only had one coworker friend, Katherine, stop by and she stayed for just a minute.  It was so busy the time flew by.  Either my tolerance was getting lower for kid and adult antics today...or my blood sugar, but there seemed to be lots of crabby kids and tired parents today, insisting on getting the "perfect picture", of the ~whole~ family, despite the screaming three year old protestations!
As I was packing up to leave the Forest, these two sharp dressers caught my eye!  They were ringing the bell for their blue ribbons!

It's faces like these that keep me coming back every day! 

I made it through the shift and headed to help David, Cindy and Brekkens hold seats for the County Talent Finals.

We were a bit spread out,

but succeeded in saving seats for almost 20 people!

I was starving so I downed an airline sized peanut snack!

Once the friends started filling in the seats, Cindy & I went in search of food...and beverage.  The lines at Midways Men's club were long too, even at the back. I tried to order a large beer and a cheeseburger, but was told there would be a 25 minute for a burger....Cindy looked over and saw the oldest female crew member manning the grill and trying to direct all the "supervisors", aka, the guys all standing around.  Without protein, Cindy and I left with cold beers in hand.  Crisscrossing the Kidway, we spied a booth with no line.  Either they were out of food, or not the greatest....but we chanced it.  I got a 10pc BBQ wing basket and Cindy got a corn dog.

They weren't the best, but they were well done and, well, food.  

We got back to the seats in time for the first act, when I got a phone call telling me that a family stopped up to say "Hi!"  Luckily, the talent show is a stones throw from the Alphabet Forest.  I ran over to say "Hi!" back.

I got another running hug from Luke! Little sister Madison, in my class currently,  had not seen me in over three weeks and was quite shy!

We watched the Talent Show to the end, Mom has kept track of most all the talent leading up to tonight and has highlighted her picks.

 That's dedication!  

We'll see how she does tomorrow at the Grandstand Finals.

Mom & I stayed to see a bit of the Laser Light show up on Cosgrove.

And them walked down to see The Spinners.  They were still dancing and singing all dressed up in yellow suits!  I wish I could have gotten a better picture, but it was a packed house.  

Our tired feet took us home.  Waiting for the Snelling crossing, Mom & I don't think we've seen quite that many people coming & going at 10:00 pm!  Possibly another record day! 

Friday, Friends and Food!

Recipe card roundup requires me to be on the grounds every other day by 10:00am.  Today was no exception, but Stella was meeting a few of her Oles today, so we were off by 8:00! Walking into the fair we had to stop for a bit, to phone assist her friends in finding parking nearby, but Mason wanted to park free and wouldn't accept my offer to pay $20, for a premium spot at my fair friends spot on Frankson.  Mason, you see, would be pushing their friend Kayla in her wheelchair.  Kayla has some mobility limitations and wanted to try and walk all day, but the gang convinced her, they'd be happy to help with chair!  I forget what it's like to  be that young and strong!  They ended up parking near church and we would meet them at Creative Activities.

Stella and I needed breakfast and had a little time before we met Mason & Kayla, so we ran down to get.....pie.

People have asked about the pie varieties, so here is a description of them all this year. 

On our way back, we ran into this dear friend,

(an Oke Ulum!) Kari.  She was just getting some things checked off her state fair bucket list.  She and her husband had been there earlier listen to a special live " Minnesota Hospital" on WCCO.  An old Boone & Ericson show.

We found Kayla and Mason, and they were excited to start on their adventure, so we left each other and I grabbed today's recipe and started off to find my friends, some of whom had been out on the grounds already for two hours!

It's MPR day at the fair, so I had to stop and see what was going on.

 I found this "Piano on a Stick!" and it was painted by the kids from Stella's old elementary school.

  

 There were balloons, and giveaways, so I got my membership bonus water bottle. 

I got a message my friends , who were heading to see if Senator Al Franken was at his booth, so I walked that way, and found he wouldn't be around until 2-3pm. My friends had not made it that far yet, so I walked to MPR booth to see what was going on there.  There was a vote for favorite "hot dish" but I call foul.  The only "Hot dish" choice was Tater Tot, Chicken Wild Rice is a soup and Green Bean is a side dish. There can only be one winner!

I found this colorful gang waiting by the water ride.  Rebecca has some limited mobility these days too, so she decided to ride in comfort and style today!  It was a good reminder for me to reserve one for Randy for Monday.  

This is for my reference! 

Carole was hungry and she got herself a delicious Giant Juicy Turkey sandwich.

The rest of us followed Estellas lead and agreed that it was noon somewhere and got ourselves frozen margaritas!  "CHEERS!" 

These delicious libations can be found at Cafe Caribe!

My friends had heard enough about the Tipsy pies, so in order to shut me up, they all tried one.  Rebecca got some cheese curds too, but the Pie was the taste winner of the day!

Ruth was a lady with style and a plan!  I was impressed!

After pie, margaritas and cheese curds, we headed out towards the DFL booth, but Ruth made a U of MN detour and Carole's dogs were barking and I knew of a couple foot solutions in the Merch Mart.  On our way, those of us willing (and tall enough) stuck our heads in this! 

We were waiting right in front of the Pronto Pup stand, so why not!?!  Somewhere today, would be sold the 25~millionth~ pronto pup!  It ended up being at the stand right around the corner from this one later in the day! 

Carole found some foot relief...  

and as I was checking out the ornaments (none of which I feel compelled to get this year) I also found Ruth! 

All together again, , we walked over to see if being "Woman Card" carrying members of the DFL got us any other crappy perks! (See the perks already awarded us on the card below)

No more perks, but we did all give more money to the cause by buying these awesome, hopefully prophetic, tshirts!  I asked a kid if he would take a pic of all us hopeful old ladies, and the kid replied.."where? I don't see any old ladies!"  what a charmer!

Ruth was ~especially~ tickled in her new tshirt!  I LOVE THIS FACE!

The girls all wanted to go up to My Talk Radio and see if they could get a photo op with Jason.  He and I were already great friends from our earlier connection in the Dairy Building!  As we sat and listened to the show for a bit, Ruth ran next door to the Texas Steak Out and got their new food, deep friend nachos.  

They were three huge balls of pepper jack cheese rolled in crushed seasoned tortilla chips and nacho cheese then deep fried. topped with meat, sour cream, salsa and guac,  Despite being "fried food" it was not, as such, battered.  so I tried a bite and the were spicy and flavorful, and easily shared with four people! 

We cut through the patio display near the Little Hands Farm, which was a bit of a feat for Rebecca and the scooter, but we made it through the (even crowded) back way to the Kemps Photobomb booth.  Lucky for us there was an ice cream giveaway happening, so there was no line to get the photobomb pic!

A few of us, in need a of a restroom break tried the small red barn bathroom still standing on the north end behind the Gizmo stand.  The fair has set up 10 port-o-potties there too, and let me tell you, the best option is to use the portable an then sneak in line to use the running water to wash up.  There are four...only four...stalls in the bathroom and the lines were hideous!  

Rebecca was the first to be smart, after waiting far too long... and use the portapot, and I followed suit. Estella has a little cleanliness issue with them, but even she couldn't wait and decided to hold it!  While we were all in line, Carole took my advice and tried the Gizmo.  I'm not sure if she knows it is her buddy Jason Matheson's (of My Talk) ~absolute favorite~ food at the fair!

She liked it! 

Next, to the dogs!  Carole is without a pet right now and she is by far the ~biggest~ dog lover I know.  She'll talk to dogs over people any day!  She may not remember ~your~  name, but she'll know the breed and name of the dog you were walking!

They were doing some agility tricks in the outer yard and this beautiful guy was there!

Carole getting some puppy love from a Soft Coated Wheaten.  It didn't hurt that she just finished eating a Gizmo!

Lots of family members love this breed!  Bred to sit on the laps of royalty!  This puppy was so sweet!  King Charles Cavaliers.

I grabbed another Iron Range Meatloaf for lunch before I started work and Ruth had three more stops on her map with a plan.  One was the Steam Ice Cream booth which was offering Elvis Ice Cream.  Peanut Butter and Banana.  Ruth said not enough peanut butter, but real, tasty bananas!

Ruth's last two stops were for roasted corn and Cookies, which were on their way out.  It was time for me to head to my post so I said my goodbyes and headed East.  As I walked I happened upon this lady!  I can;t remember her name (I'll have to re read my own blog)  but she brings tours to the fair and always stops by the forest.  She had been there earlier asking for me.  I asked her again how much she charges for her time and she says she gets about $500 for a day, ~but~ she only does it for charity!   She is a silent/live auction item!  Four admission tickets, a full or half day tour and a coupon book!  I love this!  My friend Gayle had been approached by someone to offer paid tours...That might be lucrative too!  I am afraid though, it would cut into my own State Fair time.  There are, after all, only twelve days!

As I was reminded when I donned my apron in the Forest cabin and I looked at the wall, seeing only three Blue Ribbons for our special guest authors that come each day.  There once were twelve hanging here....

I got a message from Stella that she had had a great day with friends and they got pretty decent shot of Cantus performing in Carousel park.  I thought they were going to be on the MPR stage so had I had the time, I'd have been in the wrong place!  Makes sense considering the size crowd they draw!

 

Stella and the Ole Gang!  Kayla, Mason, Stella and Tyler!

The only visitors I had in the forest today were this crew!  

They tapped on my shoulder with a noodle ready to go!  It was so busy in the photo booth today, I didn't have a chance to even see who was coming until I was taking the picture!  It was a good thing I didn't have little friends come.  I would not have had time for a smile or a hug!

Moms neighbor Sonja and her daughter Cate stopped by and I took a picture for the forest!  I went to flikr and downloaded it for here!  I was so busy I never even got my phone out!

I got an extra coupon book today by a generous donor to the Alphabet Forest, so I was reminded of all the foods I had not yet eaten!  I decided upon a beef & bean burrito from El Sol (North West outer corner of the food building)  They are huge!  But I was hungry!  

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Mom sent me a very strange message earlier.  I was worried!  

She did show up and we caught the end of the Leinie show and headed up to see the County show and got to sit with these guys!  

After the show, Mom wanted to see the Eco Building and big Paul Bunyan.  David and Cynthia appeared too, for the same reason!  

We took some pictures and played a little Storm Drain Goalie game and saw what we wanted to see.  There was no display regarding the energy ~non~economy of using an air conditioner while you have windows open....but maybe that's just understood.  Mom?

Mom & I! 

Mom & I were thinking about staying for the laser light show, but I didn't think my feet could do it.  Twenty thousand steps today!  When I got home, I pulled in the garage and realized I had a message from Sara at Tipsy pies, asking if I was coming. Now that's full service! I was sad I never got back there.  I promised I would be back on Saturday! 

I love the fair,  Only three days left....