Fair Fun, Fair Food, Fair Hair

While at Roy Lake for Labor Day, Tiffany lamented that she wanted to go to the State Fair in Huron, but that she had no one to go with her. This was on Friday night, while we were all enjoying a few beers (and mystery shots) at the very happening Club Eden.

Amber thought attending our second state fair of the week (and this time without kids) sounded like a great idea and I am always up for anything, so a plan was hatched for the following day.

On Saturday afternoon, Amber and I set out for Brookings so she could get clothes at home. Tiffany and Tony weren't far behind.

While South Dakota's fair is smaller than Minnesota's, I like them both in their own way. South Dakota's is smaller, more personal, and more laid-back. Minnesota's is more intense, crowded, and larger.

We arrived at the fair around 7:00 and while Tony prepared for their performance scheduled for later that evening, Tiffany, Amber, and I hit the food stands. All fairs do well in this department. Among the three of us, we sampled:

cheese curds
mini donuts
indian taco
pork on a fork (enough pork to fit on a dozen forks)
deep fried twinkie
deep fried pickle
corn dog

Then it was on to stake our spot in the beer garden. I knew it would become crowded when the concert let out and Eclipse began to play, but I had no idea how crowded it would become. This 36 year old got a little cranky with all the pushing, especially the other 30-somethings who were pushing. A little politeness never hurt anyone!

As one would expect, early September evenings in South Dakota are way too cold for me! While an unflattering photo of me is not unusual, the odd look on my face (and double chin) in the photo below are due the 50-degree induced shaking I experienced. Until I started getting jostled and crushed; I forgot about being cold and started complaining about the pushing!

Tiffany and Amber were much more mellow than I was.


Sometimes when I get cranky I just go with it until it dissipates on its own. Other times, especially when I'm with other people, I try to perk myself up by focusing on something other than cold or crowds or having to pee every 30 minutes.

The South Dakota State Fair presented me with the perfect antidote to my crankiness. There seemed to be an inordinate number of people sporting fancy hairdos.

I don't usually make fun of other people's hair. Clearly, my hair is not my best feature and I have mostly given up trying to do much of anything with it.

One might be tempted to remind me that people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. One would be justified in doing so, but just this once I'm going to pick on some hairdos!

I'm all for finding a hairstyle that works for you and sticking with it. Possibly even through three decades. But there is simply no way this was ever a great look for anyone.


Do you think she knows the woman in the previous photo?

Dreadlocks are not something you see every day in South Dakota. That and men in a passionate embrace, which we also saw. The Great State is really coming along!

I've seen variations of this Kate Gosselin hair lately (I don't watch the show but I am unfortunately familiar with her hair). When someone cuts her hair in this style I am convinced she must hate short hair and be doing this as some sort of protest statement. As a life-long proponent of short hair (what choice do I have?), I implore her to stop the abuse!

This guy (a friend of Tiffany and Tony) really doesn't have Fair Hair except to the extent that its messiness is indicative of a fun day at the fair.


Another thing you don't see every day or at every fair: convicts picking up the trash. (There's one riding on the back of the truck below.) These people were made to wear bright orange shirts with CONVICT printed on the back. While I am all for the state saving money and perhaps this is meant to shame them into rehabilitation, but I found it to be in poor taste.

There is nothing like ending a night at the state fair with a foot long corn dog!

This was my first trip to the South Dakota State Fair since 1992. I hope it won't be 17 years before I attend again, although I will be wearing warmer clothes next time!