I love the Minnesota State Fair! I’ve been going for so many years now. Last year, as you know, my state-fair bestie Kim, left us. Sally stepped in as a very thoughtful gesture. We had a great time! This year, hubby said he would do the honors. However, he wasn’t feeling well. So. I went alone. That sounds sad, doesn’t it? But it was really nice! Move at your own pace, seeing only the things YOU want to see! I found out that a lot of my knitting peeps do that every year! Yay for us!!
Of course, the first stop was the Creative Activities building where they house the knitting and baking entries. I had entered 11 items, three of which were things I had entered last year. If you don’t win a blue ribbon, you can re-enter something. I don’t do this very often, as it has some risk. The judges can recognize your entry and mark it down because it’s a “retread.” Two items I moved into “seniors” so the judges are different, but one thing I entered in the same category as last year. It did much better this year! 🙂
Oregon designed by Alice Starmore
I was so happy! Then I saw my Alpine Bloom. Since this sweater is so popular right now, I expected that other people would enter theirs, but mine was the only one I saw.
Alpine Bloom designed by Caitlin Hunter
To its left was the Buggiflooer Beanie. Again, I expected to see a few of these, but did not.
Buggiflooer Beanie designed by Alison Rendall
Around the corner was Lunenburg. I was worried about entering a yoke sweater. They are so popular right now, but the lot only had 4 entries! Mine is a cardiganized version.
Lunenburg by Amy Christoffers
The shocker of the day was my Random Acts PEEP Cowl. I never expected to get a ribbon at all. I kind of added it at the last minute.
Random Acts Cowl designed by Elizabeth Finn
This hat was a last minute entry. It is my design and got a 3rd place ribbon. It is notable for its unique display. (!!!)
I can’t see!!
It wasn’t all about knitting. I ate food that you only get two weeks a year: corn dogs, fried cheese curds, Big Fat Bacon. All healthy choices!
And who wouldn’t proudly support our brave firefighters!?! It would be an honor to support whatever needs supporting!!
It was a fun day! I’ll go again with my family. Last year we missed out on the animals, so that’s a priority this year. The problem is that John is wearing an ortho boot and it is kind of uncomfortable. We’ll just do the best we can!
PS to Pam: It’s hard to say if this was my best year, but it was a really good year! Last year was disappointing, so I very much appreciated the difference a year made!
PS2 to Annie: I didn’t buy a calendar. 🙁
PS3: I did find another Buggiflooer! There were dozens of knitted items scattered throughout the building, many of which being hats. My friend could not find her shawl anywhere. Jena spotted it next to a boat!
Loved running into you at the Creative Activities building. Such fun to check out the entries with another knitter. Congratulations on that field of Blue!
Comment by Bonnie — August 25, 2023 @ 10:37 am
Wow! Congratulations! That’s a lot of blue – was this a best ever year? I think your little white hat got short shrift in more ways than one. It looks misunderstood ?
Comment by Pam — August 25, 2023 @ 11:31 am
Congratulations on another year of cleaning up! Did you buy a firefighter calendar?
Comment by Sally — August 25, 2023 @ 4:25 pm
Congratulations on your wins! All great knits as usual!!
Comment by Penny — August 25, 2023 @ 9:24 pm
Congratulations on the blues! AND red! I think it might be fun to go with friends then split up until lunch later. Then split up again until time to leave when everyone can show off their purchases, etc. I really enjoy your annual State Fair reports a lot.
Comment by Chloe — August 26, 2023 @ 6:44 am
Well done you! Your entries are gorgeous. And as for John – get him in a wheelchair and push. It’s a ticket to the head of the line. 😉
Comment by Mike — August 26, 2023 @ 1:20 pm
Re: cheese curds. They are available year-round at every self-respecting eatery in Wisconsin. C’mon over across the river and try some!
Comment by kmkat — August 26, 2023 @ 4:05 pm
Good showing and all are gorgeous and very deserving of ribbons. I look forward to this post every year. So glad you went and enjoyed it.
Comment by annie — August 26, 2023 @ 5:03 pm
PS Did you get a calendar? 🙂
Comment by annie — August 26, 2023 @ 5:06 pm
Susan, that vest is magnificent!!! I could never do that. I love your entries. They were all very worthy of the blue, even the white hat. I have tried over time tried to sign on to your blog but have never gotten anything. Please I like your work very much and enjoy what you post a lot. This post of the state fair was fun to read. Thank you for a glimpse of your life. Linda
Comment by Linda — August 29, 2023 @ 2:09 pm
Congratulations! Your State Fair post is the highlight of my summer. Seriously! And this year a bonus Chippendales, I mean fire fighters, shot <3 Your original Oregon with the zippered front was the reason I started following the Rainey Sisters lo these many years ago, this vest is equally beautiful. There are some gorgeous pieces here, Susan, and the ribbons are well deserved.
Comment by Pru — August 29, 2023 @ 7:23 pm
I look for your work every year in the Creative Activities building and this was a banner year for you! Congratulations! Color work is not my thing in knitting and you do it so incredibly well. I enter in the sewing and embroidery areas.
This year I found out that those who set up the Creative Activities exhibits are all volunteers and they work with no air conditioning OR fans, because things would get blown about and perhaps soiled. With as hot as it was leading up to the fair they have my full sympathy. I do wish they could update their mannikins to something in the last 50 years, say, but they work with what they have. I think the boppy tassel on your hat was the result of a very hot and sticky volunteer who had simply had enough of everything that day.
Again. Congrats one thousand times over.
Comment by celestial — October 8, 2023 @ 3:46 pm