The Great Minnesota Get-Together

My friends from Blog Around the World are making a stop in Minnesota today. Welcome, you guys, and thanks, Debbie, for giving everyone directions!! It's the perfect day to get here for a sneak preview of our State Fair. I sure hope you've got your walking shoes on. And that you're HUNGRY!

There is SO much to do! Ride the rides at the midway,

visit the dairy barn to see the butter sculptures of "Princess Kay of the Milky Way" and her attendants,

visit the birthing barn to see the baby animals, watch the parade, and see the latest tractors on machinery hill (ya, you betcha!). You should stay into the evening to catch a concert at the grandstand--but better yet, this year Garrison Keillor is doing a Prairie Home Companion show. If you want to understand Minnesotans, you seriously shouldn't miss it. (But if you can't stay for that, you must read Lake Wobegon Days. You can get it on audio, probably with a MN accent, Lula!) 

If our fair is known for one thing, though, it's all of the foods you can buy on a stick.

I did a search and got 71 results of stands that sell them, and some of those sell more than one item. Including several varieties of cheesecake and deep fried candy bars. And how about spaghetti and meatballs on a stick? OK. Maybe not. But save room for my favorite, the Tom Thumb Donuts (sans the stick).  Just thinking about them is making my mouth water!  

Well there is really tons more to do, but let's just wrap it up with a trip down the giant slide. Grab a kid (or a grandpa), and let's go!

Hear this song playing in the background:

"Our state fair is a great state fair!
Don't miss it, don't even be late!
It's dollars to donuts at our state fair,
It's the best state fair in our state!"

That was for you, Hot Tub Lizzy, and I know you're singing along, even as you are playing one of my favorite Minnesotan games! (And I'm sure you're about ready to hop a plane to get here in time for the fair. I will pick you up at the airport this evening. The guest room is ready.  You can help me make some lefse while we are catching up.)

Now of course Minnesota has plenty to offer on any given day. We're the Land of 10,ooo Lakes, which, in true Minnesota fashion, is an understatement. We're home to the Mall of America, Lake Superior, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, as well as the Golden Gophers, and a team for your favorite sport, whatever that might be, including curling. Not to mention winters that never end.  So you can go ice fishing to your heart's content.

Well, I know you've got other stops to make, but I hate to see you go. I hope you'll come back when you can stay longer. Bring a sweater. On a stick.