State Fairs and Other Festivals

[EACarlson]

Glad it is back on, but definitely not going. We used to go multiple times a season, etc. The violence and other assorted ish that goes along with it now...not interested.

And, now that the only fair food I get (cheese on a stick) has a place in Roseville, I have no need

I may go if I'm in town. I'll get there early and be done by 3 or 4. It is the best state fair in the country. Or at least it was before the security issues.

Iowa was one of the best State Fairs I've been to.

I didn't think Iowa was nearly as good as it was made out to be. Maybe it was just the year or day I went but it didn't seem anywhere near the MN fair, same with WI.

Elsewhere in Cheeseheadland, this Monday marks the beginning of EAA Airventure. The largest civilian aviation celebration in the world. The town desperately missed it last year, in a normal year more than 100,000 visitors come to our little town of 60,000 for a week. https://www.eaa.org/airventure

 

[elgerber]

I may go if I'm in town. I'll get there early and be done by 3 or 4. It is the best state fair in the country. Or at least it was before the security issues.

I didn't think Iowa was nearly as good as it was made out to be. Maybe it was just the year or day I went but it didn't seem anywhere near the MN fair, same with WI.

Elsewhere in Cheeseheadland, this Monday marks the beginning of EAA Airventure. The largest civilian aviation celebration in the world. The town desperately missed it last year, in a normal year more than 100,000 visitors come to our little town of 60,000 for a week. https://www.eaa.org/airventure

Well to be fair, it's pretty darn hard to live up to the MN state fair

 

[shawthorne44]

Well to be fair, it's pretty darn hard to live up to the MN state fair

MN ?!? I've only been to two. I found the MN on to be very disappointing. As in, I wondered why it existed. My other one is TX. Maybe that isn't a fair comparison? I can't say.

 

[EACarlson]

Well to be fair, it's pretty darn hard to live up to the MN state fair

This is very true

MN ?!? I've only been to two. I found the MN on to be very disappointing. As in, I wondered why it existed. My other one is TX. Maybe that isn't a fair comparison? I can't say.

If those are the only two you've ever been to, you will be disappointed with any other one you go to. TX and MN are always numbers 1 and 2, which order depends on which year and who you're asking. TX goes on for like three weeks and MN is 12 days.

 

[RedAngie]

I’ve been to both the Texas and Minnesota State Fairs and have to rank those as the best also. MN is famous for their oddball food offerings.

 

[AustinTink]

I saw that SXSW will be in person again next spring. That was the first big event cancellation that caught my attention at the start of the pandemic.

Yep, everyone was shocked when they canceled. They were definitely one of the first. We will most likely go to next year's south by, if it actually happens. We shall see what Delta does between now and then.

 

[bcla]

I just saw an ad for the Alameda County Fair on local TV. This is usually 3-4 weeks around mid-June to July. But now it's been delayed to late October for 10 days.

https://annual.alamedacountyfair.com

Sounds like an interesting mix of different nightly music. A few tribute acts (Eagles, Garth Brooks, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Journey) and some other acts like Exposé (I saw them at Disneyland Grad Nite in the late 80s), Rose Royce, War, Spin Doctors, and Night Ranger.

I don't see their big moneymaker, which is horse racing. At a different county fair someone said that Alameda goes for a typical 3-4 weeks because they have horse racing that gets simulcast to other tracks and casinos where there's betting.

 

[Kirby]

The State Fair of Texas just wrapped up. We didn't go this year, not because of Covid but we already had a trip planned. A lot of people went, haven't heard how much attendance was down, if it was.

 

[Drewsdad]

Miss State Fair just concluded. Weather was fantastic and attendance was back to pre 2020 levels

 

[LuvOrlando]

Right now Salem, MA Haunted Happenings is interesting, it's part Halloween and part history and the leaves turning is gorgeous.

 

[Moliphino]

Right now Salem, MA Haunted Happenings is interesting, it's part Halloween and part history and the leaves turning is gorgeous.

But getting into Salem at this time of year is a complete mess.
My cousin had her bachelorette in Salem in October and literally everyone was late because traffic was ridiculous. My sister and I would up parking in some random neighborhood and walking because we were not moving at all approaching the bridge on 114.

 

[LuvOrlando]

But getting into Salem at this time of year is a complete mess.
My cousin had her bachelorette in Salem in October and literally everyone was late because traffic was ridiculous. My sister and I would up parking in some random neighborhood and walking because we were not moving at all approaching the bridge on 114.

Ohhhh, good point. You can get there by commuter rail from surrounding areas and by ferries, the commuter rail has two floors and when I see a double decker anything I always think of the Harry Potter Night Bus
Commuter rail all weekend is $10 unlimited, so many cool oceanside towns that connect via rail and it's still mild enough to spend most of the timeoutdoors. Boston is a very pet friendly city in general for those who like to bring their sidekicks along, just do your research.
https://www.mbta.com/destinations/salem

 

[HiStitch626]

The State Fair of Texas just wrapped up. We didn't go this year, not because of Covid but we already had a trip planned. A lot of people went, haven't heard how much attendance was down, if it was.

My brother said it was down a little this year to 2.2 million. It's usually closer to 2.5.

 

[tvguy]

Not yet. They hope to do a mini State Fair in September but nothing firmed up yet.

UPDATE: Mini State Fair didn't happen. Fair grounds not available because it is being used for other things that are more important. July 2022 set for resumption after being canceled in 2020 and 2021.

 

[shawthorne44]

The State Fair of Texas just wrapped up. We didn't go this year, not because of Covid but we already had a trip planned. A lot of people went, haven't heard how much attendance was down, if it was.

We missed it too, and we always go. But DH was either moving his brother or installing a metal roof on the addition. Texas State Fair needs a touring plan, not because of lines but because it is so huge.

 

[Julie's Haircut]

We missed it too, and we always go. But DH was either moving his brother or installing a metal roof on the addition. Texas State Fair needs a touring plan, not because of lines but because it is so huge.

Does the Texas State Fair still use tickets for all rides and food purchases? Or have they added scannable cards you can add value to?

My last visit to that fair was the day after Big Tex burned in 2012. There were many floral offerings in his memory. You could still smell the remains. I take it he was rebuilt.

 

[HiStitch626]

Still tickets at Texas.

 

[shawthorne44]

Does the Texas State Fair still use tickets for all rides and food purchases? Or have they added scannable cards you can add value to?

My last visit to that fair was the day after Big Tex burned in 2012. There were many floral offerings in his memory. You could still smell the remains. I take it he was rebuilt.

Yes, they are quite diligent about the tickets. For many years the food vendors were lax about that and would take cash. But, the city gets half of the ticket money, so eventually they seriously cracked down on that. We always go Tues-Thurs when entrance is really cheap. We don't do many rides, although DH spends lots of money on food. DD and I apply the 'one-bite' rule. We are allowed one-bite of anything he gets. That way we get variety and he gets quantity.

One of the early dates with DH was to the State Fair, the fun we had was one of the things that cemented our relationship.

I love Texas, and almost everything is truly better here. But, I don't feel the Big Tex love. As a kid, at least once a year we stopped in Brainerd, MN to talk to the Paul Bunyun statue. Big Tex didn't talk and didn't recognize people. So to me, Big Tex isn't worth a glance as you walk by. But, yes, they rebuilt him.

 

[Metro West]

My parents used to take us to the Virginia State Fair when we were kids and I still remember all the wonderful food smells and the Joey Chitwood Stunt Show. I used to love to watch those cars flying all over the place.