Our State Fair is a Great State Fair...

**keith** · 08-11-2007, 09:49 AM

Got to go to the State Fair last night.

First stop: cream puffs!

Then the kids hit the rides and the women hit the expo center and Jerry and I had beer at Saz's and listened to Bobby Friss (review coming at www.WisMusic.com for a couple of sets with everyone alternately checking in with us at Saz's.

Didn't do the usual horse showings and Ag building tour, had a great time nonetheless. Good weather, Great Fun.

Regards,
Keith

CarolsCritterCare · 08-11-2007, 11:12 AM

How fun!!

Who else from the Bubber has made it to the fair?

I"m pretty tied down watching Critters right now..... but that is a good thing!! Everyone is squeezing in last minute vacations before the kids head back to school.

I'm going to be able to make our State Fair

Carol

CarolsCritterCare · 08-11-2007, 11:13 AM

oh, forgot to ask.....did you hear any good bands while you were there?

**keith** · 08-11-2007, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarolsCritterCare

oh, forgot to ask.....did you hear any good bands while you were there?

Yep! a great one: www.BobbyFriss.com

Heard them last year at State Fair and again at the Chalet in Richfield, Wisconsin.

One heck of a Rock 'n Roll show!

Regards,
Keith

CarolsCritterCare · 08-11-2007, 03:23 PM

I used to enjoy going and listenind to "The Happy Schnappers"

pk · 08-13-2007, 12:07 AM

My oldest daughter and grandson go every year. They buy their tickets back in April online when they get a discount. They get there right when they open and park at the same place every year. They look at everything and have a great time and end the evening at a concert. They always spend the entire day! I love the fair but can't do the entire day and keep up lol so I usually go on a Saturday night for a few hours. This year is the first of many years that we actually missed the fair.

Will certainly look forward to going next year now.

pk · 08-13-2007, 12:09 AM

Quote:

First stop: cream puffs!

One year my oldest daughter actually got up there really early just when they were opening and they let her run in and pick up a big cream puff order! She then left and brought them home just so we could have them for breakfast! lol (some people think we are a bit crazy at times!) lol lol

pk · 08-13-2007, 12:11 AM

lol just remembered the year my daughter went and was at the Shania Twain concert, called me on her cell phone and I could sit and listen to the concert at home! lol

CarolsCritterCare · 08-13-2007, 08:03 AM

[quote="pk"] They get there right when they open and park at the same place every year. They look at everything and have a great time and end the evening at a concert. They always spend the entire day! quote]

Good for them. I could never spend the whole day there with an eve concert on top of it. Few hours is good for me. My favorite part is walking thru the critter buildings........well, and cream puffs.

LOL ~ they get the same parking spot every year. They should put a sign on their car.... "We have parked in this spot for the last X# of years"
Or "this spot belongs to XXXX"

pk · 08-13-2007, 08:40 AM

Quote:

LOL ~ they get the same parking spot every year. They should put a sign on their car.... "We have parked in this spot for the last X# of years"
Or "this spot belongs to XXXX"

LOL, well didn't really mean the 'exact' spot but the same area on the side road..lol But still it would be cool to have a sign saying something like that, I'll have to tell her! lol

pk · 08-13-2007, 08:48 AM

Quote:

My favorite part is walking thru the critter buildings........well, and cream puffs.

I love to walk through the horse barns. My father had horses when I was quite young and I loved to ride. So it brings back memories of our horses when walking through the barns.

My other favorite place to walk through is the photography section. It is great to see the amatuer's pics, the ideas and thoughts that many come up with and the talent. Quite interesting.

And it's funny about cream puffs. I have gone to the fair since my teen years...(don't ask how long ago that was)! lol ...but I never knew about the cream puffs until maybe a few years ago when my oldest daughter started bringing them home. To me the fair was more about the animals and the concerts and never really about the food or rides.

ONEZ48 · 08-13-2007, 11:57 AM

:roll: Nope! I did not make it to the fair either.... I moved my sister this weekend.

**j10asen** · 08-13-2007, 12:10 PM

I seriously have not been to the State fair since I was sixteen , when I went to the freak show and saw some guy poke himself with long needles and and someother guy showed off his lizzard skin and I lost my LUNCH !!! of course the Tatoo Lady, can you imagine a woman having a Tatoo????? When I was sixtenn that was VERY ODD!!!!!

There were some other nasties but I think I blocked them out of my memory.

{:`-(................................................. ....................................
I think it was a very tramatic experience for me.

ONEZ48 · 08-13-2007, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j10asen

I seriously have not been to the State fair since I was sixteen , when I went to the freak show and saw some guy poke himself with long needles and and someother guy showed off his lizzard skin and I lost my LUNCH !!! of course the Tatoo Lady, can you imagine a woman having a Tatoo????? When I was sixtenn that was VERY ODD!!!!!

There were some other nasties but I think I blocked them out of my memory.

{:`-(................................................. ....................................
I think it was a very tramatic experience for me.

This is stuff you only hear about not actually see. Hopefully you don't have nightmeres.

pk · 08-13-2007, 04:08 PM

Quote:

I seriously have not been to the State fair since I was sixteen , when I went to the freak show and saw some guy poke himself with long needles and and someother guy showed off his lizzard skin and I lost my LUNCH !!! of course the Tatoo Lady, can you imagine a woman having a Tatoo????? When I was sixtenn that was VERY ODD!!!!!

There were some other nasties but I think I blocked them out of my memory.

I think a few years have gone by since you went there last.. lol...and I think you would find the State Fair has grown and changed alot since then. Hopefully for the better!

But you really owe it to yourself to try it one more time so you can get a better thought going in your memories! lol

I think you would really enjoy the photography section and while you are there stop by the many places that has bands playing and make sure you have a pork burger I really recommend them, they are sooo good!

While you are there throw in a raffle ticket to win the 'house' and before you leave make sure you down a few cream puffs! If that doesn't give better memories I have no idea what will!

oh..and stay away from any freak shows if they even have them anymore....lol

**keith** · 08-13-2007, 08:46 PM

The overhead seats offer a great view of the people, the sounds of the bands, some great food aromas, and the sights of the rides lit up - including the ferris wheel - in the distance.

Particularly enjoyable at dusk, just before sunset.

Regards,
Keith

CarolsCritterCare · 08-14-2007, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ONEZ48

:roll: Nope! I did not make it to the fair either.... I moved my sister this weekend.

At least you had good moving weather....not too hot and not too wet

pk · 08-14-2007, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Particularly enjoyable at dusk, just before sunset.

When ever we go I always pick the sunset into evening time. I am not a sunshine, hot weather person, give me the cool evening and dusk anytime. lol

CarolsCritterCare · 08-14-2007, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pk

Quote:

My favorite part is walking thru the critter buildings........well, and cream puffs.

And it's funny about cream puffs. I have gone to the fair since my teen years...(don't ask how long ago that was)! lol ...but I never knew about the cream puffs until maybe a few years ago when my oldest daughter started bringing them home. To me the fair was more about the animals and the concerts and never really about the food or rides.

That is the only "food" I'll get while there. Otherwise it's to expensive.

CarolsCritterCare · 08-14-2007, 09:45 AM

Quote:

I never imagined that the cream puff requires so much behind-the-scenes work. Each pastry is sliced, filled and topped with powdered sugar by hand. With 35,000 to 40,000 cream puffs sold per day for 10 straight days, I realized the cream puff is more than just a treat at State Fair; it is a main attraction.

http://www.onmilwaukee.com/seasonal/...uffvirgin.html

pk · 08-14-2007, 10:37 AM

section of article:

Quote:

I pictured a little hut with a couple workers handing out an overpriced, bite-size morsel. Instead, I found an entire building requiring 205 employees, six sales windows and a cream puff weighing in at five oz.; a size that certainly gives fair goers their money's worth.

What an interesting article. I also never thought of the 'behind the scenes' of a creampuff before. lol Amazing.

Thanks for sharing this Carol.

Patti

CarolsCritterCare · 08-14-2007, 12:02 PM

I thought it was a neat article as well...........
Carol

ONEZ48 · 08-14-2007, 04:16 PM

That enough cream puff to feed 4. :lol:

pk · 08-14-2007, 05:08 PM

History of Wisconsin State Fair Park

The storied history of the Wisconsin State Fair began in 1851 when the first Fair was held in Janesville, Wis. Approximately 8,000 – 12,000 people attended the first State Fair for the admission price of 10¢. Since then, almost a million Fairgoers enjoy the annual, fun-filled State Fair each year. In 2006, 861,408 Fairgoers devoured thousands of cream puffs, shopped ‘til they dropped, rocked out to great entertainment, experienced life on a farm and created memories for a lifetime. Throughout the 156 years, the Wisconsin State Fair has created memories that have transcended generations and is steeped with the rich traditions of the State of Wisconsin – agriculture, racing, circus, entertainment and family participation.

FULL STORY HERE: http://www.wistatefair.com/home/wsfp/history/index.htm

**keith** · 08-19-2007, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pk

History of Wisconsin State Fair Park

The storied history of the Wisconsin State Fair began in 1851 when the first Fair was held in Janesville, Wis. Approximately 8,000 – 12,000 people attended the first State Fair for the admission price of 10¢. Since then, almost a million Fairgoers enjoy the annual, fun-filled State Fair each year. In 2006, 861,408 Fairgoers devoured thousands of cream puffs, shopped ‘til they dropped, rocked out to great entertainment, experienced life on a farm and created memories for a lifetime. Throughout the 156 years, the Wisconsin State Fair has created memories that have transcended generations and is steeped with the rich traditions of the State of Wisconsin – agriculture, racing, circus, entertainment and family participation.

FULL STORY HERE: http://www.wistatefair.com/home/wsfp/history/index.htm

GREAT COMMENTS and posts/links.

Like I said, "Our State Fair is a Great State Fair!" Hmmm, someone ought to make a song of that.

Regards,
Keith