2026, Food, Seasons, State Fair, Travel

It’s That Time Again!!!

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You all know where I am, right?  That’s right – the VS State Fair Fest has begun!

Tickets purchased (actually bought them in November for last year’s price).

Blue Ribbon Coupon Book purchased.  Both YA and I have added our post-it notes.

Food list assembled and printed off.  This includes traditional items that we like every year (corn, cookies, crepe, Hawaiian shave ice, etc.) as well as new foods. 

Trial drive to parking lot done.  I do this every year to make sure there isn’t any surprise road construction.

Turtle bag “packing list” updated… actually just printed out this year – we didn’t make any changes from last year.

Turtle bag packed (bandaids, Tylenol, pad/paper, address labels, collapsible container for cookies, coupon book, cash…).

Depending on what time you’re up and reading this, I’m either feeding the dog/cat before I leave, driving to St. Paul, waiting in line, on the Park & Ride bus.  Once the bus gets to the transit hub and I get through the entrance, who knows what the day will bring for me!

You’ll have to talk among yourselves today.  Anything planned for YOUR day?

35 thoughts on “It’s That Time Again!!!”

    2. Thanks for the photo! This was before I learned from y’all how to enjoy the fair – I see Dale of course, VS, Beth-Ann and Linda… missing anyone?

      Today we have Mpls. friends, who were camping at Great River Bluffs St. Park, will hopefully be able to stop by for brunch. They have one of those teardrop campers – envy…

      Otherwise quiet on the East end of Winona.

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  3. ive got my chicago schoolteacher daughters comining in next thursday/friday to go to the fair saturday. daughters 3 boys all start school tuesday and i have enrolled at hennipen tech and have classes Tuesday through friday 1-3. i may end up doing half days multiple times or doing an abbreviated fair this year. im looking forward to it but its gonna be different for sure. i can just taste those curds and pickles and fries pet some critters for me

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  4. Rise and Shine, Baboons,

    I have Water Aerobics today. Tuesday evening I had a session of that, as well, in which we moved to Dolly Parton music. I could hardly believe how many people knew every word of 9-to-5 and Jolene.

    I am making hot pepper jam today. It is husband’s favorite jam. Then I will continue to get my travel belongings organized for my upcoming trip to N. Ireland. I also have to pack for husband who goes to my sister’s for most of the time.

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  5. I think I see Jim in the back row. I also see VS, Linda, BA, Dale and son, and others who look familiar. Is that TGITH in the middle back? I’ve never met him.

    Have a great time, VS! I’m staying home to read and rest today. I’m going to try to go for a longer walk with Maggie. We had a walk early this morning, but another one is needed.

    I can’t talk or sing at all right now due to the hoarseness, wheezing, and cough. Hot Throat Coat tea is helping. I’m on antibiotics and prednisone. I’ve been down this road before. Can’t say it’s my favorite. Thanks for your kind words!

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    1. Yes, Jim is there, and TGITH. The woman on the left with the orange sweater is Donna’s daughter Lora. Aaron is next to Dale. One of the women is Kathy from Wisconsin, who used to chime in on the blog back when it was Trial Balloon. She might be shoulder-to-shoulder with VS….but I could be wrong.

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  7. We are resting up after our days in Brookings looking after our grandson. His first day of school yesterday at a new school went very well. He was anxious since the transfer to a new school meant he left friends at his old school. He met new friends and likes his teacher and had a good time. His only complaint is that they didn’t do Math yesterday!

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  8. The Guy in the Hat is in the back row and Anna is there although she has a hat on so it’s hard to see her face. The young man next to Dale in the wheelchair is Aaron. And yes, that is Jim in the very very back with his baseball cap.

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  9. Great photo!
    Good weather for the fair. Have fun. Bring back enough cookies for everyone and keep them warm.

    Just work work work here. Gotta deliver a township driveway permit this evening, and make a run to the big box store for a 6x6x14′ for the cow yard and pick up some rebar. Amongst other things…

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  14. OT, it is possible to use a VPN in your browser – Firefox is a good one with a VPN – and specify that your location is in Canada. Then, if you bring up Google maps, The Gulf of Mexico will be labeled “Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)”. Lake Ontario is so far still Lake Ontario, with no qualification.

    Anyone have ideas about what we should rename the White House? Maybe the Mad House? Or the Federal Memory Care Unit?

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  15. VS I have never known anyone who is such a detailed planner for the fair (or anything else) like you. Wow! I suspect however that it results in more enjoyment, less fatigue and less “wasted” time (hard to define that). I suspect these habits made your work in travel spectacular.

    I like to plan, keep calendars and make lists (where I can check off things) but that’s pretty elementary compared to your thoroughness.

    My dad was a big time gardener who worked an informational booth in the Horticulture Bldg for several days at the New York State Fair in Syracuse. Thus he had a parking pass that allowed him to park close to that building. Made going to the Fair much easier for me and my brother!! We got to know the grounds very well. Loved that fair setting- it had more permanent buildings, green space and trees than MN. I worry about the MN State Fair being so close to the Vet School when the fireworks go off. I recall one staff member there telling me she goes and sits with the sheep and other animals who are at the Vet school during the Fireworks to monitor (and reassure) them!

    Have a fun time! How many times will you go?

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    1. We bought 8 tickets this year but if the knees hold up (they did fine yesterday), we might supplement. The last few years I’ve gone five time!

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      1. Again, having multiple visits means you don’t try to see everything on the same day plus can visit some exhibits/performances that change day to day. You are making me want to attend the fair (but only if I plan like you). Right now my no sugar no flour diet won’t allow this. My neighbor and I are planning a 3 week trip to Italy in October and I want my weight down further before we leave.

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  16. Buying the tickets in November at last year’s price is the move of someone who has done this many times. But the detail that made me laugh is the trial drive to the parking lot to check for road construction — that is exactly the kind of pre-planning that makes a big day with family go smoothly, and nobody ever gets credit for it. Hope the new foods were worth the post-it notes.

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