I would die on a hill where raspberry rhubarb worlds greatest pie. You really should provide a recipe as lemonade and rhubarb sound like a GREAT COMBO!
Such a fun trip to the fair with you, Mark! I was blown away by the seed art, felt very sad for the little lamb and wished desperately for a fruit shake. You really capture the fun of the fair and make me really want to find one to visit, though the heat would probably be a deal killer for me. I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to humidity.🥵
Ruth -- thanks for your kind words. The weather was very difficult and attendance at the Fair largely collapsed on the final weekend. It was not comfortable. The original plan on Wednesday was a 75F day. It would have been PERFECT. You are indeed right about the weather. It was not pleasant. A potent lesson that a few degrees hotter than normal can really stink and have consequences. The seed art, the original crafts, the homemade "just about anything" contests make the Fair a real celebration. Serious people committed to fairly adjudicating the best honey in the State. It is kinda cool. The participants, the judges, the rule makers and the fairgoers all seem to enjoy it all!
In regard to the lambs. It was definitely hot. The 4-H Kids who dominate the Fair are one of the reasons I am enamored by the animal barns. Those kids are bonded and support the animals. It is quite something. It is the reason I am not interested in the chickens as I know their treatment is transactional. The kids hold the animals, comb them out, primp them. They are learning how to care for living creatures. It is that vibe that makes the Fair wonderful.
The malt was great. They were sold out of the voted new favorite cherry with dark chocolate. MMM. Thanks again for taking the time to comment.
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!
I think there is a backstory hidden in the butter carving photo. There is a young lady beaming in the background holding a finalist banner. Inquiring minds want to know did she carve the butter we see in the photo and go on to win the competition or must she go back to her family farm and resolve to win next year... Reports show only one rhubarb / strawberry shake was sold at the MN fair this year- must have been the one you bought on Saturday? I think rhubarb in a shake could be an acquired taste Mark. Thanks for being the only reliable source for MN fair news on Substack!
Yes Paul! She was one of the ten finalists and would be in the room for the next 3 hours while the carver was finishing her bust. The top ten finalists all get an 80# block butter head during the Fair. So the woman with the sash is being carved in the refrigerated booth! I think the "stuff" in the shakes whether raspberry, rhubarb, strawberry or whatever else are mostly sugar :) They were sold out of the flavor of the Fair (Cherries for cherries)
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.
I still wish we had seen the fashion show. Next year. People have let perceived differences come between them. A campy state Fair connects people together. The farmers and the animals are worth trying to understand a little better. Stayed away from a couple of the animal barns this year. Just too hot. Is that pronounced pile-up??? I would imagine Washington is another place with a big city (Seattle) and a lot of rural elsewhere. Worthwhile to understand each other.
Lots of fun! Thank you for sharing. The dairy building looked like the place to be on a hot day and the seed art is amazing! The poor little lamb looked over heated... I'm glad you enjoyed yourself!
I would imagine if we went to the Wisconsin State Fair, the Dairy building would probably be quite a sight. I think the seed art is remarkable. The horticulture and agriculture bldg is likely my favorite. Experts in gardening, prize-winning vegetables, seed art. Experts ready to talk about their topics. Lots of interesting people. There were 3-4 lambs born within the last 4 days or so. The conditions for the last weekend were brutal. In another bldg they were showing dairy goats. They wanted to get back home also!
Very late in commenting but I enjoyed your account of the day and pictures. I could totally get into seed art. Loved the witty Springsteen picture.
Glad you found something you enjoyed. Something for everyone
I REALLY want a rhubarb-strawberry anything now! (I make a rhubarb spritzer lemonade in the summer. Very refreshing and delicious.)
I would die on a hill where raspberry rhubarb worlds greatest pie. You really should provide a recipe as lemonade and rhubarb sound like a GREAT COMBO!
Fair!
They were sold out of the winning new flavor cherries for cherries with dark chocolate -- that sounded really good
Such a fun trip to the fair with you, Mark! I was blown away by the seed art, felt very sad for the little lamb and wished desperately for a fruit shake. You really capture the fun of the fair and make me really want to find one to visit, though the heat would probably be a deal killer for me. I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to humidity.🥵
Ruth -- thanks for your kind words. The weather was very difficult and attendance at the Fair largely collapsed on the final weekend. It was not comfortable. The original plan on Wednesday was a 75F day. It would have been PERFECT. You are indeed right about the weather. It was not pleasant. A potent lesson that a few degrees hotter than normal can really stink and have consequences. The seed art, the original crafts, the homemade "just about anything" contests make the Fair a real celebration. Serious people committed to fairly adjudicating the best honey in the State. It is kinda cool. The participants, the judges, the rule makers and the fairgoers all seem to enjoy it all!
In regard to the lambs. It was definitely hot. The 4-H Kids who dominate the Fair are one of the reasons I am enamored by the animal barns. Those kids are bonded and support the animals. It is quite something. It is the reason I am not interested in the chickens as I know their treatment is transactional. The kids hold the animals, comb them out, primp them. They are learning how to care for living creatures. It is that vibe that makes the Fair wonderful.
The malt was great. They were sold out of the voted new favorite cherry with dark chocolate. MMM. Thanks again for taking the time to comment.
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!
Sorry you missed it. Going with a group is best. Lots of sharing n people watching.
Always enjoy your writing on the fair!
Thanks! It was fun as usual.
I think there is a backstory hidden in the butter carving photo. There is a young lady beaming in the background holding a finalist banner. Inquiring minds want to know did she carve the butter we see in the photo and go on to win the competition or must she go back to her family farm and resolve to win next year... Reports show only one rhubarb / strawberry shake was sold at the MN fair this year- must have been the one you bought on Saturday? I think rhubarb in a shake could be an acquired taste Mark. Thanks for being the only reliable source for MN fair news on Substack!
Yes Paul! She was one of the ten finalists and would be in the room for the next 3 hours while the carver was finishing her bust. The top ten finalists all get an 80# block butter head during the Fair. So the woman with the sash is being carved in the refrigerated booth! I think the "stuff" in the shakes whether raspberry, rhubarb, strawberry or whatever else are mostly sugar :) They were sold out of the flavor of the Fair (Cherries for cherries)
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.
I still wish we had seen the fashion show. Next year. People have let perceived differences come between them. A campy state Fair connects people together. The farmers and the animals are worth trying to understand a little better. Stayed away from a couple of the animal barns this year. Just too hot. Is that pronounced pile-up??? I would imagine Washington is another place with a big city (Seattle) and a lot of rural elsewhere. Worthwhile to understand each other.
Lots of fun! Thank you for sharing. The dairy building looked like the place to be on a hot day and the seed art is amazing! The poor little lamb looked over heated... I'm glad you enjoyed yourself!
I would imagine if we went to the Wisconsin State Fair, the Dairy building would probably be quite a sight. I think the seed art is remarkable. The horticulture and agriculture bldg is likely my favorite. Experts in gardening, prize-winning vegetables, seed art. Experts ready to talk about their topics. Lots of interesting people. There were 3-4 lambs born within the last 4 days or so. The conditions for the last weekend were brutal. In another bldg they were showing dairy goats. They wanted to get back home also!