The Minnesota State Fair is one of my favorite events of the summer. For those of you who aren't aware, the fair is twelve days of farm animals, carnival rides, live music, and glorious deep fried, greasy, delicious food-on-a-stick. It also provides some of the best people-watching in all of the land - everyone from hipsters to farmers to mulleted rednecks goes to the fair! Unfortunately I don't have many pictures of the people-watching, but I DO have some of the delicious eats, and of the Trampled By Turtles concert.
The dreamy motorcycle I was ogling at the Harley Davidson tent...unfortunately I didn't have a spare $14,000 laying around, or that baby woulda been MINE.
Did you know that my Dad is also the SPAM King? See, he even has a sceptre and a SPAM throne.
Taking the day off to go to the Fair with the fam...always worth it. :)
Day Two: Bonus of living in the Como area of St. Paul - I biked to the Fair, avoiding all of the traffic. In fact, I laughed at all those suckers waiting in line to park as I flew by them on my Schwinn. I met some friends for more Fair fun and the Trampled by Turtles concert at the Leinie Lodge bandshell that night. Another successful day at the Great Minnesota Get-Together!
Frozen Apple Cider - first time trying it, but definitely not the last! SO refreshing, and I would much rather have this than an apple. Oh, and it is actually relatively healthy, unlike a lot of my Fair food favorites (which is why it's a good thing the Fair only comes once a year).
Cheese Curds from the Food Building. Good, but definitely sub-par compared to the Cheese Curd booth near the Grandstand. We still managed to force them down, however...
A bit later, we stopped by one of my favorites - the Fresh French Fries booth. This one is on my must-have list every year. I don't know how they do it, but these may be the best fries ever.
What would the Fair be without a delicious Premo or two to wash down all of the grease?
Chicken-fried bacon. Disgusting. Glad I only tried a little bite. Never again. I think you get the jist...
One of my favorites from the Fine Arts Building. When I was little I hated going into that snooze-fest with my parents, but now I can't miss it. There are so many amazing local artists!
Deep-fried cheeseburger. Pretty good, but too much bun.
Reuben Bites from O'Gara's. I REALLY hope they have these again this year, because they were amazing. Little gooey, krauty, cheesy, beefy bites of heaven. I believe Sam even went back to order more during the concert, which was a GREAT idea.
Leinie Lodge Bandshell. It looks like a canoe!
The Space Needle
Cowboy Turner waiting for the show to start
Trampled By Turtles!
Jimmy getting into the music
Turner...in rare form?
Jimmy - REALLY getting into the music
Sam and Sara
Tommy and Tim Brick
Fairchild? Or Fairbourne?
Oooh, I am excited just thinking about the 2011 Fair! Speaking of which, if anyone knows someone who has a couple of spare tickets to Weezer or to Maroon 5 and Train, let me know... Otherwise, maybe I'll see ya on the Midway. Who am I kidding - I hate the Midway! Maybe I'll see ya in the Fine Arts Building. Or in the Bazaar. Or maybe at the MPR booth. Or people-watching on a bench by Sweet Martha's.
