Dipping Into The Sugar Of The Quintessential Fair Cookie Jar

The last night on the Midway slowed down to a trickle, with cloudy skies, the threat of storms, and a vendors looking for last chance customers. Brian, of St. Paul, played the rollerball game again and again, hoping to add to his cache of winnings for his waiting child – or his inner child. He was in the middle of his last try when the ferris wheel lights went dark; the understood sign to all employees that the Midway is closed. The music stopped, there was a silent beat – and then I heard engines starting up somewhere behind me in the dark. I had been warned to stay alert and out of the way, as the huge trailer trucks began squeezing into the spaces between concessions and rides. On went the hard hats and the safety shirts, as the staff who had already worked a long day shifted into high gear and worked through the early morning hours, their demolition ironically lit by the pulsating, still-breathing lights of their own rides. Boxes full of customer tickets were rushed to the back of the Midway for redemption:the ferris wheel medallion was removed. The workers moved fast; at least one ride needed to be ready for the opening of a Fair in Oklahoma in two days.

Bittersweet, I sighed, as I watched two tired workers steal a moment and dig into the sugar of the quintessential Fair cookie jar.

The Mad Hatters, The Mounted Patrol, and The Misters

Product Placement

Totally walking his talk, or the side of his truck’s talk, as he and his partner carried an endless number of 5-hour Energy displays bottles. He told me they’re not heavy. Only about 100 pounds.

Walks His Talk_5 Hr. Energy-1978

How Many Men Does It Take To…..

Posted by on Aug 24, 2016 in Amusements, Blog, Ironies, State Fair / BeyondTheStick

How many men does it take to place an umbrella and two garbage cans?
I’m not mocking; I’ve never built a Fair.

Just an observer here……but it was amusing to see these guys work it out among themselves.

How Many Men Does It Take?-1866

 

Strong Woman

The tent wasn’t up yet, and the guys were hanging.

Heavy LiftingSerena looked like the one in charge. At one point it looked like she was going to lift the tent herself.Heavy Lifting-1817
Soon I realized it took a crew of 12 to lift the tent. Serena was beaming when it was up. “This game is my baby. My sister’s aunt groomed me for it.” Check out the Buoy Pitch, but mostly, check out Serena. She’s the anchor of it all.Heavy Lifting-1824

 

 

 

 

Wise Woman

Posted by on Aug 23, 2016 in Amusements, Blog, Ironies, State Fair / BeyondTheStick

The Less You Have To Remember-1783

 

Hope, of Indiana, had it under control as she calmly instructed her crew to change out the Wisconsin State Fair sign for the Minnesota State Fair sign. “The less you have to remember, the better you are.” I asked how long it takes to set up their basketball game. She laughed: “If you have two weeks, it takes two weeks….”

It’s two days before the Fair, and she never broke a sweat.

Friend and Patron Thank You Party + Holiday Gift Sale

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Work you have seen, new work you haven’t seen; come enjoy the views and let me thank YOU!

When It Rains, We Pour It On

When it rains, we cover our kids; cover our cookies; cover our prizes; cover ourselves; take cover  –  and check the map for the next stop.

Then we go out again and make a big splash.

 

99 Bottles Of Beer On The Wall

Posted by on Aug 20, 2014 in Blog, Ironies, Oddities, State Fair / BeyondTheStick

Ready to throw a few down?

Drink too much and you’ll end up on the ‘drying out’ rack.

00199 Bottle of Beer On The Wall-_DSC3724 001The Drying Out Rack-_DSC7226

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sign Of Good Times

It’s always (MN) nice when the Minnesota State Fair uses a photo of mine. This, from their Facebook page. And, once again, big thanks to the Minnesota Women’s Press for featuring my photo “I’m All Butter Fingers,” along with an article about my State Fair Photography. And this is just the start of going Beyond The Stick at The 2014 Minnesota State Fair!

Just Another Day At The Fair

And I’m sure you saw even more of the same. Or different. The point is, there’s more.

To say the least.

A Tribute To Those Who Were So Cool Being Hot

View and purchase all State Fair photos.

Pink Is The New ‘Blue Is For Boys’

When the 4H winner coordinates her steer’s harness with her shirt, it’s cute.

Coordinating Cattle

Coordinating Cattle

When the Grandstand sound engineer coordinates his shoes, fan, and a rubber ducky, it’s, well, even cuter.

Likes His Levels Hot

Likes His Levels Hot

View and purchase all State Fair photos.

This Cowtown

Posted by on Aug 26, 2013 in Blog, Ironies, Relationships, State Fair / BeyondTheStick

When the 4H kids show off their finest, this cowtown comes to life.

View and purchase all State Fair photos.

Beyond The Stick Gets Blogified

This is where the 2013 BeyondTheStick State Fair photos can be tasted, savored, commented on, and shared.

We All Scream For Ice Cream

We All Scream For Ice Cream

The Shape of Things to Come

The Shape of Things to Come

Heather's New Shoes

Heather’s New Shoes

My Summer Fling

My Summer Fling

View and purchase all State Fair photos.