Minnesota Trip 2011 - Day Eight

The Minnesota State Fairgrounds are located in the city of St. Paul, on state-owned property that includes the St. Paul division of the University of Minnesota. During 50 weeks of the year, the area looks pretty normal with streets and avenues dotted with ghostly buildings of various shapes. But come Fair time, the buildings come to life, with exhibitors and vendors and a surging mass of humanity.


We plunged into that mass of humanity for a second day, finding the familiar Java Joint for a morning cappuccino, then a look through the poultry building before sampling the battered cheese curds. Then it was more exhibits, some root beer, exhibits, then gelato and a Pronto Pup, then more exhibits. Grazing is not solely the domain of cattle.

The highlight of the day was the grandstand performance of the Prairie Home Companion show with Garrison Keillor which we shared with my daughter, Alissa and her husband, Al. It was another feel-good time, with the humor that gently pokes fun at things Minnesotan. Keillor has a knack of blending a wistful look at the golden days of yesteryear with a sense of optimism for the future.

Day Nine will take us back to the Fair to see more of what we missed yesterday. The pilgrimage continues...