Rob's State Fair Ramblings 9/2/2019

We've got 4 more days! I have to tell you that this is going to be one of the slowest weeks of my life, like it typically is when someone is anticipating something. I've heard people say that they hate the fair, that they won't go near it, that they'll be glad when it's moved on out of town. I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion. I respect that, but personally, it's one of the highlights of my year, so when I hear comments like that, it just puzzles me.

I'm prepped to bake my cookies for judging this year. In the past few years, I've taken a blue ribbon and two white ribbons. I'm hoping to grow that collection of ribbons this year. I'm entering chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal raisin, snickerdoodle, and peanut butter. They're going to judge them on Wednesday, so that when I arrive on Friday, I'll get to see the results. I am literally a basket case between Wednesday and Friday. Simply because of cookies, Lol. Will my cookies win a ribbon? Did the judges like them? How much competition is there in each category? For me, winning a State Fair ribbon means a lot to me. I think it's kind of a status symbol. If you happen to be on the grounds that day and see the results, and see me, please do not tell me the results, as I want to see for myself firsthand. I remember that day a few years ago when, after years of trying, I finally won the blue. I was ecstatic! My mom was with me as well. I was telling complete strangers, "That's my blue ribbon!" I cringe when I remember that day, but I also remember the excitement I felt. I'm hoping for that same excitement this year. 

In the comments after my last post, I was asked about fruit at the fair. I did some digging this week, and here's what I found... I'm going to cover the whole gammit here: First of all, there are stands in various areas around the grounds that sell fruit smoothies, if you are looking for your fruit in that way. If you'd like something sweet with your fruit, you can find several funnel cake stands that will top your funnel cake with a fruit topping. Down by the Dollar hamburger stand, you can find the caramel apples, if you'd like your fruit covered with sweet, gooey goodness. Over by the Domestic Arts building, they have the Monkeytails stand which sells frozen chocolate-covered bananas. You might be able to talk them into giving you a plain frozen banana without the chocolate coating, but that's just crazy talk! Lol. The Original Corn Roast stand, across from the Channel 12 building, advertises the fresh fruit cup, as well as apples slices with a caramel/pecan sauce for dipping. Brackett's pink stands promote deep-fried fruit.....Sooo, hopefully, if you are looking for some fruit at the fair, you will be able to find it in every way, shape, of form.  

I'll be going out to the fairgrounds to walk around this afternoon and take some pictures. It will most likely be the last walk-through before the fair starts. Labor Day is typically still a quiet day at the grounds, but tomorrow, things kick into high-gear. The rides will all arrive in the next few days, and the remaining food trucks, vendors, and others will begin the process of setting up for the 10-day festival beginning on Friday.  That also means that my next blog post will be on Friday, after my first day, and will be the first bona-fide Day 1 State Fair post! 
Last call: Any questions or comments? A business you'd like me to visit or promote? A food item you'd like me to try or give you the low-down ? I won't be posting again until the fair, so I'll be answering questions through the comments. Don't send anything via Facebook Messenger, as mine doesn't work.  Please like and comment, as it helps me gauge how many people are reading. And please feel free to share my state fair blog posts.
Final disclaimer: I've given you a lot of info in the past few posts. A lot of info is based on last year's data, as it's all I've had to go on. If something is different that what I posted, that's why.  I look forward to blogging my state fair experiences for you, and I'll see you on Friday for Day 1! Thanks for reading, and God bless!