Endless Summer
Do I hear 95?
I went to the Fair on Sunday. I needed some time to write about. Since there is no mail delivery on Labor Day anyhow, I took the day. We will return to the regular Monday schedule next week.
Wednesday Is Here & No Fair Today
When I surveyed the State Fair calendar this year, Wednesday, August 30th seemed PERFECT. The weather forecast was awesome, the crowds would be light — Yahtzee. It was the day of the 4H Alpaca and Llama Fashion Show!!! The music on order wasn’t great but it was a fair trade I figured. Life got in the way of the Wednesday plan. Dressup day for the llamas would have to wait.
After checking the days ahead, Sunday before Labor Day became the best target with perhaps 200K other brave souls. The forecast was a return to very high temperatures and humidity on Saturday and Sunday (high 90s and maybe 100 for the first time in 100+ years) so the crowds will moderate and keep attendance for the Fair below 2M for the season. I have a sunrise 🎾 date on Labor Day so I will be up on Labor Day at 5 AM. Shifting the Fair to Sunday means there is NO WAY I am going to publish this Newsletter on Labor Day. Transcribing Fair Day will have to wait until Labor Day — there will be NO MAIL from me on the Holiday!
The New Plan?
(1) Get a haircut on Saturday (2) Arrive early (3) Bring plenty of water, sunscreen & hat (4) Try new foods (5) Focus on animals, agriculture, and crafts (6) People watch. The Fair coincides with a collective sensibility here that means compromise. Minnesotans are a bit more collective than most. I like that there is not a Democratic or Republican Party here. While we have become more like the rest of the country (thanks to groupthink social media) the R's are actually the IR (Independent-Republicans) and the D’s are the DFL (Democratic-Farm-Labor). The State Fair is Our commitment to one last fling at the end of summer that defines back to school. Here are some links for the interested about the school start1 and how much instruction is really required2.
Sunday Morning Plan — It’s Off To the Fair
The nearest regional transit station is 2.9 miles away. They have an every 15-minute express service to the Fair starting at 8 AM. It is a $5 roundtrip ticket on your phone. Admission is $18 this year. The ride back is just free to anywhere in the metro as the Fair just wants to make sure everyone gets home safely. Minnesota Nice.
The Mood Was Chill
The crowd did not look their best even though it was early. The outside temperature was 85F on Saturday evening around 10 PM. Today, the crazy number of benches at the Fair would be welcome, especially those with some tree cover or shade. The day started out at the “Miracle of Life” building. There were a bunch of sheep 3-5 days old. Getting to see them up close and pet their impossibly soft fleece was really cool. I learned sheep are born with their eyes open. This one looked tired for four days old. Even though I enjoy them, I decided not to even CONSIDER lamb chops today!!!
When It’s Hot, Go Liquid Refreshment
The next stop was off to the dairy building. The Fair is nearly over and the last of the butterheads got carved today. It was a strange vibe. The weather was so hot and humid. The carver and subject are all bundled up. I think the subject was wearing Uggs! After watching a little butter carving it was time to stay hydrated. While it is true I eat a mostly plant-based diet (I mostly drink almond milk nowadays), I NEVER LET opportunities pass me by. The rhubarb and strawberry shake (in the collage) seemed the perfect antidote for the weather. Sure there is water, but a shake trumps water every time.
The Favorites
Once you venture into a building you stay in. The Agriculture and Horticulture building was fantastic. The seed art got a lot of attention this year. The Girl with a Pearl Earring was an amazing piece of art along with the seed art interpretation of The Boss. I would pay just to go to a seed art show! Same building is where I get my Minnesota apple each year. This year it was First Kiss (see collage). One of my wife’s cousins creates remarkable beadwork art each year at the Fair. Incredible detail!!!
Embrace the Seasons!
Before leaving the Fair a trip to the Star-Tribune booth. You never know when you are going to need some lip balm. Early September temperatures in the nineties will not insulate us from the near future. Fall and Winter will be here in no time. While a milkshake makes sense in September, lip balm might be needed later this month. Life in a continental climate. I don’t complain about unseasonably warm days in September. This has been a less-than-ideal summer as I’ve had a lengthy struggle with some foot problems. I was FINALLY able to play some outdoor tennis in the late summer. I was looking forward to tennis at sunrise on Labor Day. Alas, one of our players tested positive for COVID so early Labor Day action was now canceled.
Food
Nothing disappointed. The (1) Maui-Sota Sticky Ribs were ridiculously good. (2) Fried Green Tomato Sandwich — bacon impossibly good (3) Rhubarb-strawberry shake (4) A cold, crisp First Kiss apple in the heat. As always, a roasted ear of corn is a rite of summer.
Drop the Mic
So what is creativity and art anyhow? There is an awful lot of dialog on Substack about art and creation and it sometimes gets a bit high-minded. This was the creation of Liz Schrieber for the “Crop Art Community” for the State Fair 2023. I heard an interview. Each seed was meticulously placed and the ones ill-adhered vacuumed and removed to ensure the viability of the image. Liz said the image took approximately six months to make. These efforts need to be seen to be appreciated. The commemorative item is for sale as a poster or a jigsaw puzzle. Watch the video — it is only one minute long. Think different.
The Poll & Music
In deference to today’s title, a bit of Endless Summer.
I love the state fair details. I feel like I’m there. I’d be hanging with the animals. You’ve inspired me to be on the lookout for the WA state fair in Pyallup.
Dern! I missed two AND three, as usual!
I drove an hour to the NY State fair with my family while I was upstate on vacation last month but when we got there we realized it didn’t start for two more days!
At least I feel like I got to go to the Minnesota state fair with you!