My Minnesota State Fair Experience

As relayed to you last week, I had the privilege of attending my first ever State fair.  It was everything I had imagined it would be - fun rides, delicious food, beautifully judged arts and crafts, delicious food, darling farm animals, delicious food, games and prizes, and, oh, yeah, LOTS of delicious food.  (Anything you could imagine served on-a-stick!)

The sheep, above, isn't wearing a hoody because he's chilly - he's being kept clean for the judging.  Don't you think this chicken should be named Cruella DeVille?  Never knew such exotic hens existed.  A randy rooster started crowing and set the whole building of roosters to crowing! It was a cacophony of poultry participants.

 

 

Deep fried candy bars - where have you been all my life?!

 

One of the highlights of the day was viewing the Fine Arts and Crafts Exhibition.  The judged submissions were amazing.  Here are just a few:

Wunder-Wheel (Church Series V) by Kyle Fokken, Minneapolis

Class 2, Sculpture; Materials: Steel, Wood, and Found Objects

Skier by Thomas Alan Page, Cohasset

Class 2, Sculpture; Material: Cast Bronze

 

 

 

Technicolor Dreamcoat by Cynthia W. Forsgren, Bloomington

Class 7; Material: Fabric

 

 

 

Titled Piano Man, this sculpture is comprised entirely of piano parts!  Created
by Allen D. Christian, Minneapolis, it was awarded Honorable Mention.

Midnight Music Mime by Gary R. Carlson won several
awards in the Mixed Media Sculpture category.

 

 

 

 Red Cloud was carved from marble by Douglas Bieniek, of Duluth.

Like several other submissions it was for sale.  As much as I admired it,

I just couldn't afford the $16,500 price tag. 

Smocking, embroidery, cross-stitch, knitting, weaving - every type of
needlework and thread craft projects you can imagine were submitted.



 

 

 

 

Many organizations, including The Weavers Guild of Minneapolis and the Wood Carvers' Association, gave demonstrations throughout the day. 

 

Some of the most beautiful hand-stitched quilts I have ever seen

were displayed behind protective glass.  Blue ribbons abounded.

 

It was with happy hearts, full bellies, and tired feet that we bid adieu

to the Minnesota State Fair. . . . til next year!