Celebrities and The Fair

Shock and horror! Word in the barns is that the Big Boar was hot, bored, and depressed and left the State Fair to return home on Saturday. That description made me suspicious. Who gets bored and depressed at the Fair? Hot I can understand, especially for someone who weighs over 1,000 pounds.

We wander the Fairgrounds looking for the familiar as well as the odd, and it isn't long before we find it. But when the familiar and expected disappears we have to find other amusements. Five days in and I've already met Mr. Bubble, a multitude of amazing 4-Hers, the Swiss Quality Peeler guy, Princess Kay, Wendy Williams, Calamity Jo, and a kid who learned to braid a horse mane in half an hour (and did a fine job of it). I also got reacquainted with Fairchild and Fairborn.

In honor of the missing pig, I am dubbing this year at the Fair "The Year of the Celebrity."

Fifth ANNUAL STATE FAIR TRIVIA CONTEST!

Tuesday, August 30

Day Six of the 2011 Great Get-Together

Easy: Lots of free stuff can be had at the Fair. From food samples to pens, calendars to pig ears; name up to ten free-bes and where they come from (example: purple pencil from St. Thomas University). (One point per correct answer)

Challenge: An annual event for nine years, Minnesota Cooks takes the main stage for one day of the Fair to celebrate local foods and chefs. Name up to three farms and chefs who were on stage this year. Extra credit for any judges and dishes you can name. (Two points for correct answer)

Fairchild's Fair Bonus Activity: Many of us lolly gaggle through the Fairgounds and never say "Thank you. Job well done," to the people who make it all work. Your extra-credit activity is to go to the Visitor's Plaza (next to Bremer Bank) and file a "Job Well Done" report about an employee or volunteer that goes above and beyond at the Fair.