A Happy October to all!
Please allow me to go back in time for this post...
August was chock full of various fairs and festivals, and I would love to share some glimpses of the 2013 State Fair...
The day was hot, but breezy...
Our first stop...
the sweet animals!
(look at that little pink nose!)
(playing peek-a-boo)
All of the horses were stunning,
but we were especially drawn to the MN Zoo draft horses...
They live on the large farm area at the zoo, and are incredibly gentle.
Here is "Prince"
He may look a little melancholy, but there was actually a line of people waiting to rub his nose, and he seemed to be enjoying that very much!
I took the photos between visitors...
I think he just wants to be petted again!
So beautiful...
Another must-see is the Creative Activities building,
where the entries for ribbons range from the silly....
to the sublime....
(what do you think of the quilts, dear Dzintra?)
;)
I would have loved to have posted more gorgeous quilts,
but the lighting was not cooperating...all of the pieces were behind glass, and it was a challenge to avoid glare.
In the Fine Arts Pavilion, we were treated to even more
beauty and creativity....
"Picnic in May on Lilac Way"
by Marsha Lynn Weist-Hines
"Dave's Orchard"
by Pam G. Harris
"Over Easy"
by Erik Saulitis
"The Newton House"
by Japheth A. Storlie
"Flowers, Pears, and Kale on Table"
by Michael R. Pangerl
This piece below was my favorite, combining my love of music and the sea...
(and I love the colors of the "sails"!)
What do you think of it?
(It can be yours for $7,000!)
:)
"Song of the Flying Dutchman"
by Kyle L. Fokken
one of the gorgeous windows in this historic building
The painting below is this year's official commemorative "poster"...
I think it's so lovely...
Created by Swedish artist Marie Olofsdotter
(she now lives in Minneapolis)
Next, it's time for some amazing seed art in the Agricultural building...
Can you imagine how much patience it takes to create these pieces?
and a silly one!
:)
isn't he cute?
We were so happy to see that a dear friend has won yet another blue ribbon in the Junior division...
(3rd year in a row!!)
Whew, thank you for joining me in this little tour!
The fair would not be complete, though, without the decadent, salty, amazing cheese curds...
and...the "Dosant"!
Our local French Meadow Bakery's version of the "Cronut"....have you tried these yet?
Deep-fried, sugared croissant dough.
Yes, please.
:)
It was so good.
Enjoy the week, dear friends!
(fairy house at the Fair...it's actually a sauna!!!)
xoxo
