We moved to Minnesota in 1963 and some friends took us to the Minnesota State Fair that summer. Since then, we have attended nearly every year since. Now that we live in Fergus Falls, MN, we like to use the service offered by a local bus company that schedules a trip each year on "Seniors Day".
This year we invited our friend Trish to accompany us and we saw the fair through her eyes and did things that we normally would not do.
There was some good news and bad news this year at the fair. The bad news was the temperature of 97º F [37º C], one of the hottest fair dates on record. The good news was that attendance was off by about 40,000 people so there were almost no lines anywhere.
Our trip experience starts at 7:00 AM in the bus company office where doughnuts and coffee are available. Trish got up early and is speaking with Sue.
Our adventure starts and we get on the bus for a very comfortable trip to St Paul.
Lots of others have arrived by bus.
The State Fair is almost always the same but does change a bit each year. Each Monday that we arrive we watch the stock dogs work the sheep through the drill.
The 34th Infantry Division "Red Bull" band had a free concert at the band shell.
The Space Tower was next on the agenda.
Trish and Sue in the gondola going up.
Looking west toward Minneapolis with the Coliseum and stock barns in the foreground.
Looking north and the rest of the fairgrounds. This was the second time in fifty years that Sue and I have ridden the Space Tower.
The Agriculture-Horticulture building is one of the oldest on the fairgrounds.
Each year we purchase our first Minnesota grown apple.
Who would have predicted this offering in the Ag/Hort building during prohibition? This is a display of the many craft breweries that are becoming popular.
This Skyride was never used by us until this year.
Having fun on the ride.
Happy landing on the other end. I walked the length of the ride and made it easily to meet them getting off.
This Sing-along site was new this year. Each post had a live microphone and followed the words on the screen.
We had to watch the parade that occurs every afternoon. In the background is an ice skating rink with a polymer to replace natural ice. Apparently it is workable for skaters.
This banner is for Sibley High School in West St Paul. The bands were sweating and helpers would offer ice and water to the participants.
Trish had spoken of her fear of heights. But she had gone on the Sky Ride and now was attempting this adventure.
First came the safety gear.
Then up the rope ladder. Each participant was attached by a safety line that can be seen on Trish.
Then came the leap of faith onto a pole.
Success!
The Giant Slide is one trip down on a rug. We have never done it in all the years at the fair.
Happy landing!
Finally a pit-stop on the way home.
No comments:
Post a Comment