MN-Investor
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Post by MN-Investor on Aug 24, 2014 10:46:01 GMT -5
How many of you go to local county fairs? What about your state's fair?
Growing up in Wisconsin and Iowa, I always went to the local county fair. It's what kids did.
My parents would take us to the Wisconsin State Fair when I was little. I sure loved the rides! Then, when I was in college and living in Iowa, I went to the Iowa State Fair with friends, attended some of the concerts. My DH and I have been going to the Minnesota State Fair - "The Great Minnesota Get-Together" - forever. According to Wikipedia:
I love seeing the exhibits, eating the fair food ("___ on a stick"), well, I love just about everything, although I no longer go on the rides.
The Minnesota State Fair, which started this past Thursday, is basically the official end of the summer. It runs for 10 days, the last day always being Labor Day. In fact, by state law (with a few exceptions), public elementary and high schools cannot start until the day after Labor Day, partially because of the State Fair, partially because of tourism.
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Aug 24, 2014 10:54:34 GMT -5
They're OK. Something to do at times.
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steph08
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Post by steph08 on Aug 24, 2014 10:56:48 GMT -5
Of course we go to the county fair! Where else am I going to get funnel cakes?!?!
It actually starts today - I am so excited! We are heading in this afternoon!
Never been to the state fair though - too far away.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2014 10:59:23 GMT -5
I go for the funnel cakes too.
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Aug 24, 2014 11:01:47 GMT -5
I grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts and since 1916, the Eastern States Exposition has taken place in West Springfield . The ESE is the 'state fair' for all the New England States. I used to go as a kid and teenager.
The Tennessee State Fair ìs held ìn Nashville. I have never attended.
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milee
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Post by milee on Aug 24, 2014 11:02:34 GMT -5
Nerdy, but I like to go see the animals. Maybe because I had chickens growing up, but I still find the animals very interesting. Yep, I realize I'm alone in this. My family politely humors me.
It's also fun to try the latest deep fried creation or some crazy food you wouldn't normally eat. Totally illogical since apparently I trust (or want to try it badly enough that I'm willing to suspend disbelief) the food, but I don't do the rides because I don't trust the toothless meth addict carnies to make sure all the bolts are installed. Wish I didn't think about that stuff because I love roller coasters and speed, so it would be great to ride the rides.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2014 11:07:53 GMT -5
The MN State Fair is one of the biggest (if not the biggest) in the country. I've gone to other state's state fairs and they sucked in comparison. I make it most years...still debating whether or not to go this year or not. This is normally the weekend I go, but it was so freaking sticky hot. I'm thinking about taking Wednesday off and avoiding all the crowds next weekend. I usually hit one or two county fairs as well. The company I work for actually always had their company picnic as part of the county fair. They'd give us armbands for the kids and a bunch of tickets to buy food. They didn't do that this year, so that was kind of a bummer. We went anyhow, but had to pay for everything.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2014 11:10:28 GMT -5
I like to look at the animals too, especially the draft horses. DH won't go on fair rides. I would if he would.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2014 11:10:27 GMT -5
Nerdy, but I like to go see the animals. Maybe because I had chickens growing up, but I still find the animals very interesting. Yep, I realize I'm alone in this. My family politely humors me.
It's also fun to try the latest deep fried creation or some crazy food you wouldn't normally eat. Totally illogical since apparently I trust (or want to try it badly enough that I'm willing to suspend disbelief) the food, but I don't do the rides because I don't trust the toothless meth addict carnies to make sure all the bolts are installed. Wish I didn't think about that stuff because I love roller coasters and speed, so it would be great to ride the rides. Well, yeah you gotta go to see the animals! Our state fair has a birthing barn that is filled with cattle, horses, goats, sheep, pigs, chicken eggs...all about to give birth or hatch. Something is born every day and they have big jumbo screens where you can sit and watch the action. My kids love it.
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Aug 24, 2014 11:11:30 GMT -5
I LOOOOOVE them.
But I told my husband that we have to limit it to 1/yr, bc they run us over $150 every time we go.
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Aug 24, 2014 11:23:02 GMT -5
I love them too. Growing up, we went to the WI State Fair every year. And had cream puffs. I wasn't allowed on the rides. But we also went to Great America every summer as well. We missed our county fair this year. We already booked up and couldn't squeeze it in. We're going to a different county fair labor day weekend. We also drop a crapton of money, and usually have two goldfish to show for it. We used to have a farm close to us that would do lambing weekends in March and April. I could sit and watch the lambs all day long. Actually, I really wish we could have a farmette. Huge garden, goats, chicken and sheep. Maybe my in my retirement, I'll can be a boarder in in MPL's house.
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swamp
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THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS!!!!!!!
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Post by swamp on Aug 24, 2014 11:24:22 GMT -5
DH and I are going to the NYS fair tomorrow. I also like to look at the animals.
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swamp
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THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS!!!!!!!
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Post by swamp on Aug 24, 2014 11:25:06 GMT -5
Kid Rock is playing. We don't have tickets, but I may hang out near the grandstand and listen.
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Sharon
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Post by Sharon on Aug 24, 2014 11:34:24 GMT -5
Went to the state fair last night. The county fair is hit or miss. It is the weekend after 4th of July and that tends to be a busy time of the summer for me.
I even worked at the state fair for several years. I would take vacation during fair week and then go work the fair, loved it. It was so much fun. That stopped when DD was born, coincidentally the opening day of the fair.
I have entered my canning, quilts, knitting etc over the years at the fair and have won a fair number of ribbons. Now that DD is out of the house I should look again to working at the fair.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2014 11:38:08 GMT -5
We always went when I was growing up. We took the kids, too . . . Until another parent refused to let their kid go because of the part of town.
i never heard of anything happening, but my ex was the ultimate slave to what people think. That ended that.
My kids are in their mid-30s. I haven't heard anyone mention the fair in years.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2014 11:47:00 GMT -5
We might go to watch the grand kids play on the rides, but that's the only reason.
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Bonny
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Post by Bonny on Aug 24, 2014 11:51:07 GMT -5
I go to the Del Mar Fair every couple of years. It's gotten a lot bigger and more expensive than when I was a kid. It pretty much stops traffic on I-5 in both directions for the six weeks it's open. My favorite parts are the animals (I love goats and bunnies), the landscaping exhibits and the gems and minerals. I try the game of "Let's see if there's ANYTHING healthy to eat here". DH and I went to the CA State Fair in Sacramento one year. Completely different flavor and very interesting as it seemed like a much more "agricultural" event.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2014 12:55:42 GMT -5
I love them too. Growing up, we went to the WI State Fair every year. And had cream puffs. I wasn't allowed on the rides. But we also went to Great America every summer as well. We missed our county fair this year. We already booked up and couldn't squeeze it in. We're going to a different county fair labor day weekend. We also drop a crapton of money, and usually have two goldfish to show for it. We used to have a farm close to us that would do lambing weekends in March and April. I could sit and watch the lambs all day long. Actually, I really wish we could have a farmette. Huge garden, goats, chicken and sheep. Maybe my in my retirement, I'll can be a boarder in in MPL's house. Are you going to the Walworth Co. Fair next wkend? We are. It's a good one. Tons of food.
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Aug 24, 2014 13:01:19 GMT -5
I love them too. Growing up, we went to the WI State Fair every year. And had cream puffs. I wasn't allowed on the rides. But we also went to Great America every summer as well. We missed our county fair this year. We already booked up and couldn't squeeze it in. We're going to a different county fair labor day weekend. We also drop a crapton of money, and usually have two goldfish to show for it. We used to have a farm close to us that would do lambing weekends in March and April. I could sit and watch the lambs all day long. Actually, I really wish we could have a farmette. Huge garden, goats, chicken and sheep. Maybe my in my retirement, I'll can be a boarder in in MPL's house. Are you going to the Walworth Co. Fair next wkend? We are. It's a good one. Tons of food.
No. I've been, and it's a good one. I also used go to the trash and treasure things at the same place. It's been a while since I've gone though. I hope you have great time! We are going to the county fair in Mineral Point. It's a little closer to us, which is important when your exhausted 2 yo screams like she's possessed for over an hour due to being over tired.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2014 13:05:13 GMT -5
The flea market? Yes, it's a good one too. We have not gone this year as I am trying to get rid of stuff and fighting DH as I do. He's more of a hoarder than I am. I tell him you can buy more if you unload more, not both. Enough.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2014 13:06:18 GMT -5
Are you going to the Walworth Co. Fair next wkend? We are. It's a good one. Tons of food.
No. I've been, and it's a good one. I also used go to the trash and treasure things at the same place. It's been a while since I've gone though. I hope you have great time! We are going to the county fair in Mineral Point. It's a little closer to us, which is important when your exhausted 2 yo screams like she's possessed for over an hour due to being over tired. You have a great time also. Mineral Point is such a pretty area.
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steph08
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Post by steph08 on Aug 24, 2014 13:10:40 GMT -5
I also love to check out the animals. The fair will be awesome next year when DD is bigger. Right now we head in, grab strombolis and funnel cakes and leave!
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Malarky
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Post by Malarky on Aug 24, 2014 13:25:05 GMT -5
I grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts and since 1916, the Eastern States Exposition has taken place in West Springfield . The ESE is the 'state fair' for all the New England States. I used to go as a kid and teenager. The Tennessee State Fair ìs held ìn Nashville. I have never attended. I have never been, even though I've lived in MA and NH my whole life. It's on my bucket list for this fall.
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sesfw
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Post by sesfw on Aug 24, 2014 13:31:09 GMT -5
I've been to Los Angeles County Fair several times when I was a teen, and DH#1 and I would take g-dtr to Maricopa county fair for several years. When we lived in Flagstaff we would always be at that county fair. We were in Search and Rescue so would help at the horse races.
When I lived in Michigan I loved the Armada Fair. Very small and full of animals and farming stuff. Now I stay far away from the Phoenix fair.........
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drivingaround
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Post by drivingaround on Aug 24, 2014 13:37:00 GMT -5
I find the state fairs to be ridiculously overpriced. $20 to park, $15 for each person's entry ticket then each ride is another $2-$5 plus the food, which is pretty normal priced but still not like you get just one thing to eat. For the money spent, my enjoyment factor isn't peaked enough to go with the million other people there. I do like the animals and had fun watching the rodeo. Maybe it is something you have to grow up with? I didn't and as an adult moved to a state that has a massive, well known fair so everyone said you gotta go, it is THE summer thing to do! I went a few times and really can't see what is so fun about it.
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greeniis10
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Post by greeniis10 on Aug 24, 2014 14:06:11 GMT -5
Nerdy, but I like to go see the animals. Maybe because I had chickens growing up, but I still find the animals very interesting. Yep, I realize I'm alone in this. My family politely humors me.
It's also fun to try the latest deep fried creation or some crazy food you wouldn't normally eat. Totally illogical since apparently I trust (or want to try it badly enough that I'm willing to suspend disbelief) the food, but I don't do the rides because I don't trust the toothless meth addict carnies to make sure all the bolts are installed. Wish I didn't think about that stuff because I love roller coasters and speed, so it would be great to ride the rides. Oooh, that's me, too! About 20 years ago exSIL got on the Ferris wheel as our first ride, got to the top and it stopped. Slowly, we inched back down and they were taking everyone off because it was tilting. That was the last time I rode the rides at our State Fair. And, I did let the kids ride the small rides when they were little, but I did NOT let the carnies touch them - I strapped them in and out of the rides myself. Yep, embarrassing, but I was "that" mom.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2014 15:17:56 GMT -5
Our state fair always used to have the rides way off to the side of the park, my older son never even knew there were rides at the fair and had a great time just with everything else. Now they've replaced machinery hill with kids rides which really irks me. Partly because I have to take my 4 year old right by them to get to half the stuff and partly because I LOVED machinery hill.
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teen persuasion
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Post by teen persuasion on Aug 24, 2014 21:00:46 GMT -5
We went to the big county fair (in the county south of us, where I grew up) when the kids were younger, but not lately. We live in a more rural county, so the fairs here and in the county a few miles east of here are smaller, but more authentic than the "big" county fair, if you know what I mean. More about the animals and other farm stuff and less about the touristy stuff.
It was a busy summer for me, so DH didn't even make it to the local fair for the night his fire co. was scheduled to cover. I'm always trying to schedule my programs around the three fairs, knowing that many locals won't be available for at least several of those three different weeks.
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MJ2.0
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Post by MJ2.0 on Aug 25, 2014 7:58:59 GMT -5
we went to the county fair last year and this year. DS rode two rides and a pony by himself this year - and he loved it all! I already can't wait to take him next year.
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Aug 25, 2014 8:06:09 GMT -5
I must say, that I am always amazed beyond belief by the variety of chickens that exist!
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