I have a sense of electricity in me as I approach the gates for my first official visit to the Kansas State Fair. I have my bag with me, supplied with my knee brace (just in case), some protein bars, a few packets of peanut butter, and a cold drink to start me off. I'm ready to go! As has always been my tradition, I make a straight bee-line to the Domestic Arts building, where the cookies have been judged and results displayed. I took my cookies up there on Wednesday, my carefully, painstakingly selected half-dozen cookies sitting proudly on the enforced plain-white paper plate. As I got into line, I saw a little notation that stated a full dozen cookies are required for judging. What!!? I was going to have to get out of line, go back home, and get more cookies! Arghh! The full dozen requirement is new this year, and I totally missed it in the paperwork. As I was leaving the building to go get more cookies, I suddenly remembered that all of my extra cookies were in my car to give away to the BGC kids! Timesaver! I quickly sat in my car and made a quick assessment of which of the remaining extras were the best looking to add to the half-dozen. I rushed them back to the Domestic Arts building, got back in line, and got my cookies submitted with no further problems. Anyway, back to the story...I first looked for chocolate chip entries....no ribbon. Snickerdoodles...nothing. Peanut butter....nada. I was getting discouraged until I looked for Oatmeal Raisin. I saw my Oatmeal Raisin cookies there on the shelf with a big, blue ribbon on them!! I only took one ribbon this year, but I was happy. I only won 1 ribbon last year, a third place, but I was happy. If I only take home one ribbon, I'm thrilled. A few years ago, my Oatmeal Raisin took third, so now they've had their come-uppance. You'll be glad to know that I didn't flip out and totally embarrass myself this go-around.
From there, I went to walk through the buildings. Let me make you aware of a change this year. With the exception of the Grandstand, the commercial buildings close at 8pm nightly. In years past, the buildings have closed at 9pm, so plan accordingly if you are at the fairgrounds later in the day and want to make a pass through all of the buildings. In the big Meadowlark building there is a booth set up for The Alley of Hutchinson, our city's bowling alley. It's only right that I give them the first plug of the week, as they were gracious enough to give me 10 days off so that I could come and work the fair and blog. The Alley has been in town for a little over 4 years. They offer laser tag, bumper cars, arcade, and of course bowling. The Alley offers a wide number of leagues with one that might be right up your...Alley! (see what I did there?) The Alley even features it's own restaurant, AJ's Sports Grill., which is best known for their thin crust pizza. For those what want something quick, The Alley also offers a snack bar with a variety of snacks, munchables, and drinks. The snack bar is where you'll typically find me. There is also an Alley in Wichita, and a brand-spanking-new Alley in Salina, which has been open for about a week. If you'll stop by their booth in the Meadowlark Building, you can got more info and sign up for a 20-person bowling party!
The big free find of the day goes to the Union Booth in the Sunflower North building. They typically have the best stuff. They're all about buying American and keeping jobs in the U.S. I was able to snag a pretty cool Frisbee. There was another booth handing out the neckerchiefs that keep you cool when you get them wet and wear them around your neck. The lady with the dips and offering pretzel sticks to sample the dips was there, with the selection as good as ever. Sadly, the booth that offers free coffee and beer bread samples is not there this year. I learned that the lady, who is based out of Springfield, has had a bad health year, and has preferred to not pack everything up and travel. Maybe next year. I was very excited, as I made my way through the Grandstand, to see that the Dairy Bay was offering the Caramel Cow Crunch! Two years ago, I had heard about it, and literally drooled as it was explained to me. A hunk of vanilla ice cream covered in caramel, and a lightly salted nut mixture sprinkled on top. I went to get it on the last day, and they were sold out. So, I set my sights on the next year. However, that next year (which was last year) I went to get one, and they had discontinued it! Urghh! This evening, however, I perused the menu, and there it was! I checked my sugar levels, they were OK, and decided I wasn't going to wait around this time. The Caramel Cow Crunch is $5.00 and I give them an A. Good service, good price, and a good portion. This ice cream treat is so good. As I was walking by eating it, one of the vendors asked me what I was eating. When I told him what it was, where I got it, and how much it cost, he grabbed his wallet and said he was going to get one..right now. I should have gone back to the Dairy Bar and asked if my next one could be free because of the free advertising I did for them, Lol.
I was always glad to run into may people I know, most of them kids from school, BGC, or church. A few adults asked me if I was Mr Rue from Central Christian Day Care (many moons ago), and they told me who they were. They sure grew up! I had several happy moments like that this evening. I was thrilled to run into my friends the Walths, from Arkansas. This dear family became very special to me when I met them a few years ago. I think that's what I enjoy most about being at the fair: Seeing people that I know.
I am very tired. A full day of work, and then the fair, that takes a toll on the body. Tomorrow is a new day. I have a yard to mow in the morning, and then I'll head out to see what the fair has to offer. If I see you, you might get mentioned in the blog, especially if you do something silly. Let me know if you need info about something, want me to check out an exhibit, review a food item, want me to promote or plug your booth (for free). The blog will publish about this time every evening, give or take, and I'll post the pics on Facebook in the same general time frame. Most people read it in the morning. Whatever works for you.
Thanks so much for reading, and God bless! See you for Day 2!
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