MO State Fair 2015 Highlights-From Beginning to End

Thursday 1st Day of Fair 2015 

All photos courtesy of Cindy Goalder

I can probably count the times in the 19 years we have lived in MO that I have went to the fair. I still am not sure how people can manage to go everyday and also attend all the concerts. Apparently the consensus is wide that do, but yet I talk to many who don't step foot at the fair ever. Usually our attendance is based on two main categories: schedule, weather. These two aligned perfectly for some strange reason this year.

The actual festivities started the day before the fair when the Budweiser Clydesdale's and the local distributor celebrated the 82nd Anniversary of the First Delivery of Beer to the White House. It was definitely an experience to have that many people on one street and see the larger than life horses make a few stops along the way.

We were able to attend some of the actual opening parade for the beginning of the State Fair. Although it didn't seem as organized as a few we had seen in the past, the day was beautiful, not to hot and no rain which is always a plus for fair goers. The picture above showed off the colorful sunset at the end of the first day.

It was definitely interesting to observe and or hear some of the people and comments about the week.  The first concert was old rock and roll Def Leppard,Styx and Tesla. Apparently it was a sold out crowd and I know just living blocks away we could hear them pretty clearly. That seemed to be the norm for all the concerts the air and weather was just right for just about every concert for me to sit out on my front steps and sing along with most if not every act.

Thursday was MO Women in Agriculture, Governor's, Legislature and Judge's Day for which ladies had free admission to the fair.  The weather was again very beautiful (I have a feeling we have been spoiled for spring and summer and that fall and winter may not be so kind to the Midwest). Starting off walking down the midway and wondered why everyone was just standing around, only to discover they were playing the National Anthem (rather softly from where I was standing) for the start of the day.

 I made it a day, not really what I had planned but got a early start with my daughter and granddaughter. I actually thought I would save space in my bag and leave my keys in my daughters' car, NOT A GOOD IDEA.  I was surprised that the crowd that day was rather light.  The first sighting of the day was our MO Governor, Jay Nixon and his group of dark suited guards. I don't know if he thought he was hiding out from the front gate admissions crowd but  he looked as though he was ready for a long day of meet and greets and handshaking.  We later saw the Governor's wife at the pie judging contest at the Home Economics Building.

It is always entertaining to just people watch at the fair. Young, old its something that brings a smile and a chuckle to my face.  I know the food during the fair is greasy, fried heaven for most people but since I have tried to stay away from such gastronomical cuisine, we chose a newer trendy food. The AgriMissouri Bistro and Market had a delicious lunch. Anyone who asked I pointed them around the horse stalls and near the cow pens to savor this wonderful food. One such couple had indicated to me that they were tired of eating the usual fried, fattening food for the past three days and wanted something real. This was definitely the place. I hope the fair continue the bistro for years to come, just move it to a better location.

 Braised Short Ribs, polenta corn and green beans-Agri Missouri Bistro

 Butterfly hitching a ride

We couldn't go without stopping at the Floriculture Building with all the beautiful plants and flowers. Of course by Thursday some of the flowers had already stood the test of time, but the winning ribbons still sat proudly on the table. I also was able to finally locate the type of mystery plant that appears each year in front of my windows. Who would have thought that a Mimosa wasn't just a brunch drink. Another peculiar sight was this tiny butterfly attached to this plant entry. As I always say a butterfly comes from out of nowhere at any given time.

 The Trash to Treasure Division was also something new for me. Who would think you could recycle used kitchen ware and sports items into works of art. I wonder how many you might find around town hanging out in yards?  Isn't recycling and grand!

 Trash to Treasure Division

  At the end of my over 8 hour day and 14,000+ steps walked on Thursday, the funnel cake stop just as you leave the Midway was calling to me. I decided on the  Red Velvet Funnel Cake as my last stop of the day. I walked home with it so that was all the justification I needed. Unfortunately, by the time I got it home it slightly resembled an early Halloween decoration. Admittedly great tasting. 

By the last day of the fair, hubby had returned home so we made another trip. As all the last visiting customers attended the Amazing Anastasini Circus, not without controversy this year the Amazing Rainforest Experience, or any of the other fair attractions it was a little sad that another fair had come and gone. One bathroom attendant in the Family Fun Center said it best. "I have worked in several areas during the fair and this place is my favorite". "I usually strike up conversations in the weirdest place expected, but I hope every year that I can work in the Center" she said. 

 In clicking my last picture as we were leaving, not until I got home and looked through the pictures did I notice the 10 day fair had come full circle with almost identical pictures from the beginning to the end. 

Last Day of Fair 2015

Coloring Your World-- No Staying within the Lines Required

If you are like I was as a kid I had Crayola's and coloring book's to keep me occupied. It was one of my favorite past times in childhood. Whether it be a rainy day, or no kids to play with which happens often for only children, a coloring book can provide hours upon hours of fun. My early pictures were I am sure scribbles all over the page with no concept or reasoning. Then as I got older I came up with my own technique of color schemes and outlining the pictures. Somewhere down the line I decided to add the date then my picture was complete.

Back then I figured coloring books were invented by someone who knew that not everyone could be a free-handed artist, for which I am definitely NOT.

The closest I ever came to artistic design was as a figure skater. In school figures you could draw a figure eight with or without a scribe and follow the intricate pattern. In ice dancing each dance has a pattern to follow and most if looked at in a book or up close on the ice you can determine what dance it is.  Each skater's routine is usually plotted out with precise steps by a coach and choreographer.  Go to iceskatingresources.org or usfsa.org to check ice dancing/compulsory figure diagrams. They are not as detailed as they were at the start of figures but still a lost art of sorts since figures are no longer a requirement (sad but true).

Another fascinating use of coloring or art therapy is used for Alzheimer's patients. Used as an alternative therapy, The Alzheimer's Association of Orange County (AAOC) and artist Selly Jenny and Marilyn Oropeza developed Memories in the Making art program. This program works with persons with dementia and helps them express themselves through art when they otherwise may have little or no communication skills.  For some patients this outlet of expression has opened doors that were otherwise closed due to this terrible disease. Training sessions are available and additional information about this program is available by going to the alz.org website. Many chapters around the country are participating in this program.

Recently I came across several articles on adult coloring books. These are not just ordinary books. Most have themes as the one's I purchased below on Amazon. They have a wide variety of prices and styles to chose from. Other's are large scale posters with thin, fine lines that sadly even the older adult eyes might have difficulty in completing. Pull out that trusty lighted magnifying glass if you tackle those books!

Pinterest also has pinners who have started coloring book boards (myself included). Most pages you can print out and add your own unique colors too. Also the coloring craze seems to have a wide variety of printable pages available for free you just have to know where to look.

To keep with my connection to my figure skating roots a few months ago I found that former Two Time Olympic and World Champion Tai Babilonia was in the process of developing her own coloring book.  So far the pictures on her Facebook page "Tai Art" looks like it will be a fun one to add to my collection. I look forward to its release soon. 

Coloring is great therapy for any age, it can be a calming way to get your mind off hectic schedules or just a bad day in general.  I guarantee  your kids and grandchildren may want you to share your colors with them. It's your choice to stay within the lines, but it isn't required. 

Tai's Facebook Page is "Tai Art".

It Is Not Fair I am Not Ready for It

Well it is another where has the time gone moment. Just a few short weeks until the school year starts, the state fair will start in less than four days, and a friend of mine from my skating days mentioned that practices and competitions will be starting very soon.  Where has the time gone? Oh and to also top that have noticed way to many social media mentions of how many days, weeks and paychecks until Christmas!

When I competed in synchronized skating we had many practice sessions to iron out what our yearly program would be. Change after change, decisions about costumes, planning where we would go and what competitions was always a major decision making process; and with 20+ women and coach that was no small task. Everyone had opinions, ideas and was typically a challenge to agree. Not so different than anything else in life.

The state fair starts this week in town so a barrage of people from all over will be upon us. Planning how to get out of my subdivision will be a challenge for most of the time, avoiding some areas entirely will also be top on the list. Hearing "have you went to the fair yet?" surely I will hear at least a dozen times over the course. I am pretty sure I will at least go once. Sometimes I think I dislike going to the fair because I know that when it is over, so is the summer.

Which brings me to the third unfair moment. Time flies and it is truly unbelievable that our oldest grandchild will be starting Kindergarten. I am not sure who is having a harder time with this her mother or myself. I mentioned to several people that I don't believe I had as much of an issue sending my own two children away to school as much as I am having a difficult time with her going. I chalk it up to our changing society. I hope what we have all taught her doesn't get ruined by going to school. How silly does it sound?  Her old soul characteristics that shine frequently hopefully won't be ruined by whatever system is in place for the moment.  Keeping up with what everyone else does, has or wants was not a part of what my kids dealt with in school early on. Now it seems to be a whole different kettle of fish. I think we might get t-shirts that say "Just because so and so told you too do it doesn't mean you have too".

Oh well usually no one is ready for what life has to throw at you, but guess I will have to continue to skate through life as best I can. No blog pun intended. Better strap on my sharpened blades, may be in for a bumpy ride.