Minnesota Trip 2011 - Day Nine

Did you know that a red-tail hawk has talons strong enough to crush a rabbit's skull? Did you know that to make a bonsai plant grow one has to prune the tap root? Did you know there are at least 52 different languages that can name something like what we call a pierogi? And did you know that when riding a trotting show horse, that to post correctly, the rider rises from the saddle when the horse's right leg goes forward and settles back when the left leg goes forward?

Neither did I. But I learned all this at the Minnesota State Fair.

One of the less emphasized aspects of the Minnesota State Fair is that it has a strong educational emphasis. Yes, food and entertainment are what bring the majority of the folks to the fair, but there is in fact an overwhelming amount of stuff one can learn by attending demonstrations or observing the displays created by the 4-H Club or Future Farmers of America or any number of passionate clubs that just want to share what their members know.

Today we watched a demonstration of North American raptors -- hawks, falcons, buzzards and owls -- given by the founder of a foundation that rescues these creatures from accidents or being wounded by shooters. The gist of his message is that raptors have a place in the order of creation and should be respected.

We also watched a demonstration of the art of bonsai and watched as the expert transformed a small shrub into a sculpted miniature creation. We viewed a display that showed how "green" construction methods could make a home easier to heat in the winter and cool in the summer. We took in the fine arts exhibition where an artist had sculpted a giant pierogi and mounted it on a stele engraved with 52 words from other languages all meaning about the same thing.

In the evening we attended a horse show and watched how horses and riders, entered into the various competitions, are judged. Included were the fine points of how "posting" is to be done as a horse is trotting. While I may never be in such a competition, it is fun to know what to watch for as others try.

In addition to ingesting knowledge, we also ingested more fair food -- cheese curds, honey-flavored ice cream, apple cider, French crepes and gelato. One can't learn on an empty stomach!

Tomorrow will be our last day at the fair, and there is still more to see and learn. And I'll keep you posted...