2104 Minnesota State Fair

This is our annual trip to the Minnesota State Fair.  As we have done for the past several years, we went from Fergus Falls by motor coach  going and coming in one day. This sign was used for many years where folks who came by trolley would enter the fairgrounds. 

 After the demise of the trolleys, it was set aside in some corner of the fairground property and was rejuvenated for this year.   The fair board spent big bucks in making the north-west part of the property into a bus entrance for both tours and for city shuttles.

 Welcome to the fair. 

This gopher has been here since before we began to attend the fair in 1963.  We have pictures of our kids in front of it when they were little.

 We always arrive on the first Monday of the fair.  Since they have their routines, this morning is for the stock dog trials.  A handler and his/her dog must move sheep over a bridge, through a pole maze and finally into a small pen.  

The set of three sheep are released into the arena floor.  

They are greeted by the stock dog, usually a border collie, who sends them on their way to go through the "hoops" that are set out.

The sheep walk through the bridge at the urging by the dog that moves to commands by the handler.  Here the dog is off the photo.

Another test.

Finally the sheep enter the pen and the handler closes the gate.

Their work done, the sheep go back to "home".

The total attendance for the 12 day run was about 1,800,000 persons.  This day was comparatively  uncrowded.  On the Saturday before Labor Day, about 240,000 persons attended probably more than twice the amount attending on our day.

Lots of "nutritious" food!

Each day one of the Dairy Princesses have their heads carved in butter by the carver.  There are 10 princesses each year and one is elected Princess Kay of the Dairy Way.

This is the Princess for this day.

A big smile for us!

Every year we get items at this Dairy sponsored booth. 

One of the oldest buildings on the fairgrounds.

Inside are many demonstrations but here is a bee-keeper and a hive next to him.  In addition there are many samples of honey of various colors.

Got to make a buck!  Nearby, in the craft beer section, the booth was robbed ot $10,000 the Friday before Labor Day as the fair was closing. 

The quilters inspect a prize winner in the Creative Arts building

The crew ordered hamburgers from one of the last church sponsored booth on the fairgrounds.  Once there were about 70 to 80.

Then a late afternoon snack. No, not pickles, Cream Puffs!

Then you have got to eat them.

After much walking, the bus loads for the trip home.