MN State Fair, Odd Balls

No public event of this size is complete without some wack-a-doos from the general population of the US and, in this case, Minnesota specifically.

And this fair did not disappoint. I escpecially liked/was frightened by the woman smoking and drinking beer, while intoxicated, and while using a walker down the streets! Then again, maybe she's really on to something... Why not use a walker when you know you're going to get stumble-drunk at a public event? Smart.

Plus, plenty of other "fun" things to see at the fair:

 

Though I may never fully understand this, I think I have it figured out. They make sculptures, out of butter, for each of the women in the "court" at the fair. You can see the sculptor's legs behind this "butter bust" as she's in the chilled cooler scultping another woman, who is also sitting right there in the cooler... winter coat on and all. This is NOT a joke.

Gander Moutntain, smart as they are, decided to set-up a "Relaxation Station" in their area. Boy oh boy was it well-used. 

This guy could have slept through a snowstorm.

And were you in the market for a beer bottle night light? You know, so you can find the toilet when you get up to hurl...

You're right, I needed one more butter sculpture pic!

MN State Fair, Horsin' Around

One of the people I was seeing the fair with wanted good shots of horses for her own image collection (she's a painter). So, we spent some time hanging around the barns and stalls and even at the competition area. I don't think I'm the only one that thinks horses are pretty magestic creatures and really enjoyed sittin' for a spell and watching them "work".

This is "Prince", he's about 6 feet tall at the shoulder and weighs 1900lbs - Duke was in the stall next to him, btw

MN State Fair, Entry & Foods

I made it!

The Minnesota StateFair, or as they like to say, "The Great Minnesota Get-Together". I had a great tourguide and her mother too. It made for a helpful and less stressful day overall.

 

A quick look at down some of the concourses.:

In case you haven't heard about it - All You Can Drink Milk during your Fair visit for only $1! "...Milk was a bad choice!"

The throngs of pasty and soft Americans...

Here's my own food list as the day went on:

- Breakfast Sausage Pancake-Wrapped "Corn Dogs" with Maple Syrup, $5 for 3pcs (1 had 2pcs)
- French Meadow Chocolate Croissant, just a big bite from a shared purchase
- Red Velvet Funnel Cake, $8 for a 9" wide, 1" thick monster funnel cake
- Mancini's Meatball "Chicetti", $6
- Mancini's Original Steak Sandwich on buttered foccia, $9
- Peroni Beer, $4.75 for 12oz.

I know O could have done much worse and am proud of myself for not doing so... and also a little disappointed.

Yes, this was one of the best stand-up breakfasts I ever ate... syrup included.

Can you say, "Red Velvet Funnel Cake"? This is worth finding and trying if you ever get the chance.

Not enough Fair for you? No problem. Stayed tuned the next two nights for two new posts. Thank me later.

Mill City Live, Chastity Brown, Minneapolis, MN

Wow, what a great artist/event for me to pretty much stumble into on a Wednesday night, held in one of the most iconic and historic buildings in Minneapolis, the Mill City Museum. And the cherry on top of this cultural sundae, all for $5. Easily the best sawbuck I've spent in a long long time. The voice, the writing, the atmosphere...get the to a Mill City Live, and double-time if Ms. Brown is playing.

 

Event: Mill City Live 2013
Artist: Chastity Brown (Go here! Listen to her music! I double-dog dare you...)

 

 

 

The "ruins" of the old flour mill and the museum's outside

Nope, not Greece, Minneapolis.

"...early in the mornin', late in the evenin', anytime in the afternoon..." (I swear this was a camera from this century)

Hyland Lake Preserve Ski Jump, Bloomington, MN

I know some of you heard I could ski jump only minutes from my house (and if I lost all leave of my senses one day), so I thought I would highlight this area of the preserve with a quick hike of it in summer.

I was impressed with how high it all rises above the surrounding area, with the massive steel structures required, with the lack of any real "jump" (it just shoots straight out over the hill), and with the hiking trails that wind around the mountain/hill. It makes for a very nice afternoon get-away, but only minutes from home.

The Bachelor Farmer 2, Minneapolis, MN

One interesting or new thing in this place to note, literally. All of The Bachelor Farmer's guests checks (aka, your bill) are presented to you in bright red Moleskine notebooks. Like this...

 



Guess you can't say you didn't notice your bill.

 

And the reason they do this is it allows the guest(s) to write something down in the notebook. I don't think anyone told us or suggested what we write in the notebook, but it was pretty clear after flipping through the first one (at the bar), that you could write whatever you wanted. A number of folks seemed to write about the food, restaurant, experience, etc., while others wrote whatever came into their heads, like this...

 

 

And we didn't know the ultimate purpose of these "love notes" until we went to the restrooms. They pull out approved notes and use them as wallpaper for the wall in the restroom hallway. So, while you're waiting for so-and-so to vacate the loo, you can read all about other people's experiences.

 

It gave the wall a very unique and, surprisingly, not a cluttered look.

 

License Plate Update

You kinda want to punch this person in the neck, just on principle.