State Fair

I love the State Fair.

It's like Summerfest in a lot of ways - the food, the beer, the rides, the attractions - but it's very different, too. It's more wholesome, it's more Wisconsin. The people-watching is just as good, and the food is even better.

I went to the fair last night with Christi and we had a blast. It rained all day so we thought our night might be a wet one, but lucky for us, it stopped by the time we got there around 7:00 and didn't start again until we were leaving around 11:30.

Of course our first agenda was food. I had a fabulous ear of roasted corn and Christi had the ever-delectable but ever-greasy and filling Saz's combo platter. I was going to get something else after my corn but after helping Christi with her cheese curds, I was just too full. A good thing for my wallet but an unfortunate thing for my taste buds.

After we ate, we walked through the cow and horse barns, but most of the animals were already being put away for the night and the barns were closing. That was a bummer - I love seeing the animals. It's nice to mingle with the animals' owners, the farmers who take care of those animals on a daily basis and who look forward to the fair each year. We also went through the 4-H expo, another thing I like to do each year. The artwork that these young kids do is amazing.

We got a drink and strolled over to the midway because I wanted to see the giant that can be seen when driving by on the interstate. He was huge and ugly - inside is a fun maze by day and a haunted house by night. It was $6 to get in, so we passed in favor of another $6 margarita instead.

For the rest of the night, we went back and forth between The Toys and The Sweettarts, both local cover bands. They were really good - I think both bands will be playing there this weekend again. We danced and watched all the funny people around us and had a really fun time. 

The State Fair goes through this Sunday and I highly recommend going this weekend! See the animals, ride the rides, listen to some music, eat a cream puff!

You know, I've never actually had a cream puff. I love food, but cream puffs just don't appeal to me. What makes them so great? Lots of people even get them in bulk in cardboard boxes to take home. I would think that eating a cream puff at home just isn't the same as eating it at the fair, but I could be wrong. 

Perhaps next year I'll have to try one. For now, here are some facts about the cream puff, taken from this morning's Journal Sentinel:

*The cream puff debuted at the State Fair 81 years ago, in 1924.
*Last year, 339,321 cream puffs were sold at the fair.
*Each one contains 500 calories and 39 grams of fat (!)

In other news, I booked a wedding reception place yesterday so I can finally get going with planning. I'm very excited! October 7 was already booked at every place I checked out, so we'll be getting married October 28, 2006. Who are all these brides who are booking things that far in advance? They're insane!

Anyway, have a great weekend!

Comments

[Christine]

Here via Michele today. Would you send me a cream puff? I love 'em. Actually, one of my daughter's nickname is 'cream puff' - if you saw her you'd know why. She is so sweet! Congrats on booking your reception site - I got married 3 years ago, and I remember how stressful it was - I became the stereotypical bridezilla at the end - have a great weekend!

[Derek]

Nice! I'm getting married October 29 of this year. Should be a nice time of year.