myprontopup

Improvements to State Fairgrounds Result in $40 Million in Economic Impact

The Minnesota State Fair's efforts to improve and maintain the historic State Fairgrounds had an economic impact of more than $40 million in the Twin Cities during the past three years, according to a study released last weekend during the State Fair's 151st annual meeting.

And it doesn't take any tax dollars.  How 'bout them apples?

In other news, Art Blakey, Jr. (chief of police for the Minnesota State Fair since 1980), has just been named the 2010 Winter Carnival's King Boreas.

Congrats...

Twins Stadium New Signature Food

Target Field's signature food item? Walleye on a stick!

Other great items on the just announced ballpark menu include pork chops on a stick (!) cheese curds (!) and Juicy Lucy burgers, which features cheese on the inside (!).

What?  No Pronto Pups???

Sniff.  I need a homer hankie...

“It’s a joy to visit fairs,” said Baker. “I am a fair nut.”

The Great Minnesota Get-Together elects new Chairman of the Board -- Denny Baker.

Some interesting trivia in the article as well.

There are always two board members from Ramsey and Hennepin counties, but they can never serve as chairman, said Baker. That position is saved for someone with rural roots.

“It’s been that way for 150 years,” said Baker.

Didn't know that, but it makes sense...

The Minnesota State Fair surpasses any other state fair in the sale of food and beverages, said Baker. “We’re known as the food-on-a-stick-fair.”

It was also the first to create and maintain its own independent carnival.

What's the matter with Kansas?

According to this article, nothing.

Like everything once considered vulgar, corn dogs... are now part of the culinary chic.

I couldnt' agree more.

3rd Lair at the MN State Fair 2009

Sigh.  I'm starting to miss the state fair again...  Only 249 days to go...

My Bacon's A Wonderland

Mmmmm.  Chicken-fried bacon.

Everything's bigger in Texas...  including the calorie count.

Colonel Mustard Did It In The Bazaar With A Pronto Pup

This looks interesting -- a new murder mystery about the fair.

Ashley Kirsten Pederson, 54th Milkfed Mary, Queen of the Dairy, is murdered in front of a live audience while rotating in a 42-degree, octagonal, glass-sided case as her head is carved from butter.

The killer is not the carver; she hasn’t had anything to eat or drink since entering the booth; and there are no visible marks on her. How has she been killed?

I must know!  Will my detective like state fair knowledge allow me to crack the case before the protagonist?  MUST FIND OUT...

The novel is called September Fair, by Jess Lourey.

I'm even more curious because the author's from Battle Lake, which, apparently, has produced more Princess Kays of the Milky Way than any other town.  Wanna guess where my family roots lead?

State Fair flash mob video

Here's the video from the State Fair flash mob dance.

About 1:30 into the clip, you'll see a guy in a black backpack zoom in and start taking pictures.  Guess who?

And the still pictures are here, here, here and here.

Minnesota State Fair - Day 12 Pictures

And that's that.  One final romp through the fair yesterday with my Mom, and then the sun set on a perfect fair season.  It also marked my 120th consecutive day at the fair.  Whew.  Time to rest...

Minnesota State Fair - Day 11 Pictures

The fair got flashmobbed today, so that was fortuitous to come upon.  Only got a few pic's towards the end of the dance, but definitely was a treat.