If you live in Minnesota you don’t need to be told we’re in the midst of the Minnesota State Fair.  At the Auntie B’s Wax World Headquarters the fair takes center stage.  Housework is brought to a halt, cooking is done infrequently, and my schedule revolves around the Great Minnesota Get-Together, twelve days of food on a stick, squealing children, history and tradition.

This year a giant came to visit.  It’s on the corner of Randall Avenue and Cooper Street.  It’s name is The Great Big Wheel, and it’s fabulous.

It’s one of the tallest traveling Ferris wheels in North America and Minnesota was fortunate to be one of its stops.  It’s over 150 feet tall and one of the smoothest Ferris wheels I’ve ever experienced on a fairgrounds.  No squeaks, no grinding.  The view from the cab is spectacular.

The whole three-hundred acres of the fairgrounds can be seen from the top of this giant.

I had the pleasure of boarding this giant with my parents.  My dad is working his 50th year at the fair this year and I couldn’t resist sharing the experience with him.

Not only can you see the entire fairgrounds from the top of the wheel, you can see the skylines of St. Paul and Minneapolis…at the same time!

At the right side horizon you can see part of the Minneapolis skyline.

The Ferris wheel not only gives a great view of the fairgrounds but also puts on a fabulous light show.  Even if you don’t like heights or don’t want to take a ride, at least stop by and see the lights.  They’re magical.

The Great Big Wheel isn’t a permanent fixture.  It’s a traveling Ferris wheel and seeks new places to amaze all over North America.  Catch it while you can.

The Minnesota State Fair is pulling out all the stops until Labor Day.  It’s worth the trip, even if you don’t live in Minnesota.

Don’t be too scared, winter isn’t here yet.  But as my Grandma Harriet always said, “after the State Fair comes Christmas.”   I’m usually in State Fair mode at least a week after Labor Day.

For me, Husby, and most of my family the State Fair is…

Ick.  That’s not me having big fun, but midway art is always a treat to view.

It’s not all fun and games at the fair though.  I saw some random woman trying to feed a grisly bear and getting her hand bitten off…

For the most part things aren’t this scary at the fair.  This year the weather was perfect except for a couple days of rain.  Two out of twelve isn’t bad at all.

This is Fairborne, the nephew of the official MN State Fair mascot, Fairchild. He struck a lovely pose for my camera!

The Mighty Midway flags waving proudly atop the Balloon Pop game on the midway.

Twilight at the fair.

This year’s fair was fabulous, as usual.  There were changes made here and there, but traditions stay strong throughout.  So long for now to the Great Minnesota Get-Together.  I’ll be back next year to reconnect with all of the education, excitement, people greeting (and watching), and of course the food.  Until next year…

Fly high.

Ok, just one more post about the Minnesota State Fair.  Didn’t I say I’m usually in “fair mode” until at least a week after Labor Day, the day the fair ends?  Yes, yes I did.  Still in it, I guess.

Husby and I sat in on a free concert at the Ramberg Center (formerly known as the Ramberg Senior Center) at the fair to hear one of our all-time favorite bands, Jack Knife and the Sharps.  As we’ve been going to the fair for a hundred years we can’t shake the “senior” out of the Ramberg Center building name.  Interestingly, the gigs going on there are much to our liking.  Am I now a senior?  Has the Ramberg Center begun catering to other than seniors (aka people of my age)?  All I know is the room was lined with white, wooden rocking chairs and Husby and I sat in two of them instead of the other park bench style other seating, waiting to hear one rockin’ band.

Jack Knife and the Sharps. Too bad that guy’s big head is in the shot. I did the best I could.

This three-piece band is as good as ever.  Members have changed a bit over the years, but Ric Hollinger, lead, has been a constant for decades.  He’s a boss.

Then, all of a sudden between songs some guy comes walking up the center aisle shouting about how great the band is.  He looked so familiar.  And why wouldn’t he?  He’s a Hollywood star.  Chris Mulkey.  Don’t know him?  Check out the photo and you’ll probably recognize him.

Chris Mulkey. That guy you instantly recognize but can’t quite place him. He’s usually a bad guy in the movies.

So Chris comes walking up the aisle and the band invites him to play.  Come to find out Chris has (or had) a band himself.  He’s a great musician as well as a great actor and producer.  Oh what I wouldn’t do for so much talent.

Once we figured out who he was I had to take some pictures.   Chris was great and was backed up by The Sharps fabulously.

Close to the end of his song he said through the mic that his the guitar was silent, and it was.  Amplifier malfunction!  Chris kept singing as Ric tried to reconnect the amp to the guitar with no success.  The set thus ended.

Ric, gets up to the mic and says, “we have another amp in the truck.  You know what that rhymes with…”  The set was cut a little short, but was fabulous despite the technical difficulties.  Chris played the room and shook some hands in the audience and disappeared into the crowd outside the building.

Yay for the Ramberg (Senior) Center for booking Jack Knife and the Sharps.  The band is wonderful as ever, and having a special Hollywood guest star was an extra treat.

Did you see Chris Mulkey wandering around at the Minnesota State Fair this year?

Here’s a little taste of Jack Knife and the Sharps…