Our State Fair - 2022

The 2022 edition was 'back to normal.'

We were there for day two of the Wisconsin State Fair, its 171st year.  Covid-19 forced the fair to the sidelines in 2020 and it was limited last year.  One change for 2021 continued this year, as parking lots didn't open until 9 and the buildings didn't open their doors until 10.

While Covid may have been the cause, on-going issues finding enough employees is likely responsible for the shorter day.

Our youngest son, his wife, and I followed family tradition with our visit starting in the Horticulture Building which shows off the best flowers, vegetables, baked goods, crafts, and hobbies in the state.

Gladiolus @ Fair

  The building had a different set-up than I'm used to but the re-arranged floral and photo displays created a better way to work through the exhibits.

 As usual, after the flowers we head to what we still call the D.N.R. exhibit which is now known as Exploratory Park.  The state Department of Natural Resources is still in the building that welcomes everyone to the most peaceful place at State Fair with fun activities for kids and a collection showing some of the state's fish species.

 In the natural park are ponds, a life-size chess board, streams, and a school taught by Smokey Bear.  The area appeals mostly to families with young children but since it has been part of our family's visits for a couple generations we stop by every year.  If we didn't we might get to the Cream Puff building too early! 

Happy workers = tasty cream puffs!

This year we re-visited a previous conversations about the star of the fair.  "Do you think we could take some cream puffs home and enjoy them tomorrow?"

The fair offers the puffs in an easy-to-carry box but on days like Friday when it was quite warm, most of us agree the cream would likely be a puddle or at minimum more milky than creamy.

Our advice, eat one; maybe enjoy another later in the day but eat them in person at the fair - the setting does affect the flavor and taste.

A pan of cream puffs ready for the final touch, a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

 

After the mid-morning treat we kept the Mossner tradition by walking across the fair street to the Expo Center which hosts most of the commercial vendors and exhibitors.

1 of my cleaned shoes.

"Hey, those are nice New Balances, can I clean them up for you?"  That's the spiel for the Refreshed shoe cleaner people in the first booth of theirs I saw Friday.  In 2021, they got my attention and cleaned my shoes while I told them I appreciated it but wasn't planning to buy anything.  It didn't stop them and they cleaned the second shoe, not wanting me to look unbalanced when it came to my feet.

This was my second exposure to their product and the guy working on my shoes said he was part of the family that developed the product.  I liked that they traveled to Wisconsin, taking time to sell product one sale at a time.  There is no question the shoes look better.  Once I discovered a deal to my liking, I was in, I'm curious to see how it works with other shoes in my closet.

The Kids from Wisconsin on stage.

 After purchasing a couple things for my wife who wasn't able to attend and eating lunch in the Wisconsin Products Pavilion it was time for the Kids.

 The Kids From Wisconsin is a song-and-dance troop for young people, ages 15 - 20, from (naturally), Wisconsin.

 The group first performed at State Fair in 1969.  One thing I've noticed, especially the last several years, is that the young people performing as "Kids" are representing more of the state.  It's nice to see.

Display in the Horticulture Building.

Since we didn't have the whole family at the fair this year we may have missed someone's favorite thing at the fair.

My sister will be glad to know we bought an elephant ear on the way home.

The Wisconsin State Fair runs through Sunday, August 14 in West Allis, Wisconsin.

All photos by David Mossner, August 5 2022.