27 Comments
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Helen Baldus's avatar

The pig races are indeed sublime ridiculousness! The Harford Fair (a local county fair that takes place every year near Brackney) has them, as well as duck races!

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Robert Simonson's avatar

How do you make ducks race?

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Helen Baldus's avatar

I don't recall the specifics but I am quite sure there was a race of ducks (or maybe I imagined it?).

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Robert Simonson's avatar

Was there a pink elephant race, too? ;-)

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Francis P. Schott's avatar

Great article. Makes me want to get on an airplane and fly 1,000 miles and 45 years in the past to Wisconsin. But Kegels restaurant? Oh my.

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Robert Simonson's avatar

It's your kind of place.

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Peter Stuart's avatar

You’re missing the Washington State Fair on your list, which runs 3+ weeks, and is bookended this year with concerts by Foreigner and Steve Miller Band. All the top acts of the day!

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Robert Simonson's avatar

Foreigner is playing the final night of the Wisconsin State Fair! It's their farewell tour.

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Peter Stuart's avatar

Small world!

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Robert Simonson's avatar

My son had a good laugh. When he was 10-12, Foreigner was his favorite band.

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Heather Campbell's avatar

While I love the classic puff, I will admit that I was intrigued by the root beer version when my parents mentioned it. No one I know has tried it so far, which doesn’t bode well for me getting to try one in the future.

I’m so glad you all had a good day at the fair!

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Mary Kate Murray's avatar

I was hoping they would have a “Brandy Old Fashioned Puff”

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Robert Simonson's avatar

That seems like a no-brainer. I wonder why they didn't do it.

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Heather Campbell's avatar

I would fly back to WI just for this.

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Robert Simonson's avatar

When I was in line for the cream puffs, there was a lady from the fair asking everyone if they had opted for the root beer float version. No one was saying yes.

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Kathleen McLaughlin's avatar

This looks like so much fun!

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Mary Kate Murray's avatar

It was fun! My favorite part was the pig race! And riding the ski lift across the park (breezy and sitting!)

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Robert Cashill's avatar

I have a snowflake shirt but no Ridin’ Curdy alas.

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Robert Cashill's avatar

Love the pix! We were there 15 years ago; I still have the tie-dyed shirt!

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Robert Simonson's avatar

I looked for a t-shirt that displayed the fair's excellent "snowflake" logo, which was designed in 1972, and which they still use. But, strangely, they had no such t-shirt. There was one, however, that said "Ridin' Curdy."

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Martin Doudoroff's avatar

“I do not think I would run for an oatmeal cookie.” 🤣 I think I would like the brat and the ear of corn. Maybe a strategic run to fetch and consume each. I might enjoy the animal barns for about 15 minutes. And then Kegels.

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Mary Kate Murray's avatar

That line cracked me up too, Martini. I imagine he might run for a Martini—but never with a Martini! 🍸

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Robert Simonson's avatar

You would like Kegel's.

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JQ Rose's avatar

Great overview of the fair! So much fun food.

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Robert Simonson's avatar

Indeed. More than you could eat if you visited every day of the fair.

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Eric Simonson's avatar

That's weird. Cravin' D. Cream Puff is my hip hop name. Also, I would hate to be the beast of burden owned by that cow wrangler. She means business.

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Mary Kate Murray's avatar

They were mad at each other - that cow was sticking her tongue out at her 😆

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