Do you attend The Oklahoma State Fair?

[RadicalModerate]

Helmut's Schnitzel Rolls . . . yummmmmmmmmmmmm . . .
And that thin crust pizza, in the building adjacent to the Authentic Peruvian Mountain Pan Pipe Band . . .

[ctchandler]

RM,
Yes, the state fair that I first attended was where Douglas High School was built (and recently rebuilt). We rode the trolley cars from downtown to the fair entrance. Fond memories, I was five and with my mother, aunt, and eight year old sister. My family got lost and I had a lot of fun until the police caught up with me and reunited me with them. Then, in the amphitheater, the man on the stage asked for volunteers to ride the bear (and yes, it was a real bear). Somehow, my sister was spotted way back in the crowd and selected. She went to the stage and was placed on the bears back. Really great memories.
C. T.

Didn't the "original site of The Oklahoma State Fair" used to be over by that HighSchool between Reno and Tenth, near Eastern?
Didn't the last of the Gaylord Klan attempt to move it from it's present location?

[PennyQuilts]

The Oklahoma State Fair 2014 - Information on Schedule, Tickets, Parking, Rides and Events

Schedule, including kids' day (avoid ) and geezer day, plus reduced ticket price days.

[Mel]

I will probably be going 2 days. The day with the Grandkids is us mostly keeping rounded up. Geezer day is good for looking at the stuff we want to see.

[rezman]

RM,
Yes, the state fair that I first attended was where Douglas High School was built (and recently rebuilt). We rode the trolley cars from downtown to the fair entrance. Fond memories, I was five and with my mother, aunt, and eight year old sister. My family got lost and I had a lot of fun until the police caught up with me and reunited me with them. Then, in the amphitheater, the man on the stage asked for volunteers to ride the bear (and yes, it was a real bear). Somehow, my sister was spotted way back in the crowd and selected. She went to the stage and was placed on the bears back. Really great memories.

C. T.

C.T.. Wasn't there a golf course out there as well.? And if I'm not mistaken, doesn't one of the old rock buildings still stand as a maintenance building, or something like that, on the east side of the football field?.

[ctchandler]

Rezman,
Wow, I don't remember a golf course. That doesn't mean much, when I was going to the old fair grounds, I didn't know what golf was. Not sure about the rock building, but I will drive by there in the next week or so and check it out.
C. T.

C.T.. Wasn't there a golf course out there as well.? And if I'm not mistaken, doesn't one of the old rock buildings still stand as a maintenance building, or something like that, on the east side of the football field?.

[SoonerDave]

Haven't been since Skip Wegner and crew ransacked and destroyed the fair several years ago.

Don't think the City is too worried about it - primarily seems to me they are interested in repurposing the bulk of the fairgrounds into mini-convention and horseshow space. They'll probably always have something called the Fair, but it will be a faint copy of what it once was, and if they ever decide its not financially viable, the current powers that be will not care about killing it off once and for all.

Sad.

[Uncle Slayton]

I quit going several years ago. "Something" changed about it and it seemed to morph from something with vestiges of quaintness to a teeming mass of vulgarity, thuggery, and noise. If I want people shrieking inanities and profanities at me from all directions, I'll go to a family reunion for free.

[Easy180]

I quit going several years ago. "Something" changed about it and it seemed to morph from something with vestiges of quaintness to a teeming mass of vulgarity, thuggery, and noise. If I want people shrieking inanities and profanities at me from all directions, I'll go to a family reunion for free.

Just go early. The thugs don't wake up until late afternoon.

[PennyQuilts]

I quit going several years ago. "Something" changed about it and it seemed to morph from something with vestiges of quaintness to a teeming mass of vulgarity, thuggery, and noise. If I want people shrieking inanities and profanities at me from all directions, I'll go to a family reunion for free.

I avoid the midway and rides. The crafts and livestock areas aren't too rough.

[Uncle Slayton]

I avoid the midway and rides. The crafts and livestock areas aren't too rough.

True enough. I've never once had to face down a band of militant quilters, nor found myself in a jam with an unsavory group of canners...

[RadicalModerate]

Dang . . .
If this was The Theater of The Mind (formerly known as "radio")
I'd feel as if I'd just made a trip to The Great State Fair!

(why . . . as Mickey always used to say to Judy . . .
"Let's Put On a Show!"

and the torch was carried on into the future of the past . . .

[Anonymous.]

Not anymore.

The "car show" is just a few old classics in a barn and the showroom floor is just like going to a dealership lot.
I don't trust rides that are made to be collapsable.
The games are all rigged, although some are still fun.
Food is really the only thing that is worth it, if that is your thing.

[MadMonk]

Here's a list of new food items for this year's fair. I've bolded those items that interest me. I love sauerkraut, so the fried sauerkraut balls sound pretty good.

Over 20 New Fair Foods To Debut At The 2014 Oklahoma State Fair | Oklahoma State Fair

We’ve added more than 20 new unique foods to the Fair Food line-up this year. If you are into delicious, one-of-a-kind grub then there’s only one place to be September 11 thru 21 - the 2014 Oklahoma State Fair.

Try not to drool on your keyboard:

All American Hot Dog - One of Diamond Dawgs many "hot dog creations” is a grilled polish sausage on a freshly baked artisan bun, topped with homemade macaroni and cheese, and finished with grated cheddar cheese. This classic combination creates an extraordinary "All American" experience.

Bacon Bloomin’ Onion – A batter-fried onion is hard to resist but now that Porky’s has topped their hand-cut onions with bacon, Fair Food Fanatics will be clamoring to get a taste.

Bacon Explosion Sundae - This sundae has it all: ice cream, whipped cream, caramel sauce, bacon, and more bacon! Is it dinner or dessert? Find out at Guiltless Concessions.

Bacon & Gouda French Fries – Why have plain French fries when you can cover them in freshly shredded Gouda cheese and delicious crumbled bacon? Head over to the Bacon Habit and grab yourself a plate full.

Bacon-Wrapped Jack Daniels – Sit back and imagine a churro infused with a half a shot of Jack Daniels, wrapped in bacon and grilled. Served up crispy and topped with maple syrup and whipped cream. Is your mouth watering? The Bacon Habit has the cure.

Boudin On-A-Stick – Rolling on the Bayou is bringing a favorite Southern Louisiana dish, Boudin, to the Oklahoma State Fair this year. But it wouldn’t be a Fair Food if it wasn’t served on a stick!

Capt’n Crunch Chicken On-A-Stick – Diamond Dawgs batters chicken strips in their own special Capt'n Crunch cereal based batter and serves them with honey on the side. This moist and tender chicken will please folks who crave both sweet and savory.

Caveman Turkey Leg – Sure to delight carnivores, the Bacon Habit is taking a GIANT turkey leg and wrapping it with about a pound of bacon before smoking it to seal in the flavor. You’ll need a big appetite to devour this mammoth-sized meal.

Cuban Pork Crepe – CoCo Flow Concessions isn’t afraid to turn a sweet treat into something savory. Shredded pork, some Swiss cheese, pickle spears and a dash of spicy Tabasco mayo all rolled up in a fresh crepe.

Churro Shortcake – It’s a new twist on a classic dessert! L’il Bits Donuts traded out the typical shortcake for churros then topped them with strawberries and fresh whipped cream.

Chocolate Dipped Twinkie On-A-Stick – Leave it to Mom & Pop Corn to skewer a classic snack, dip it in chocolate, and serve it at the State Fair.

Deep-Fried Apple Fries – Crisp slices of apples are deep-fried to a golden brown then topped with cinnamon and sugar and served with cold vanilla ice cream. Available at L’il Bits Donuts.

Deep-Fried Bacon Cinnamon Roll – The Bacon Cinnamon Roll you’ve loved for years is getting the deep-fried treatment from Sweet Shop.

Deep-Fried Banana Nutella Crepe – Coco Flow Concessions is lining its sweet vanilla crepe with fresh bananas and Nutella before deep-frying and topping it off with chocolate and caramel sauce and whipped cream. Have mercy.

Deep-Fried Bison Balls – One of Sweet Shop’s many new food offerings for this year’s State Fair is a flavor explosion for the daring Fair Food connoisseur. Lean bison meat is mixed with tangy blue cheese crumbles and red onion, and then rolled it into balls for a dip in the deep fryer. Served with horseradish-mayo.

Deep-Fried Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwich On-A-Stick – It has taken Aunt Edmoe’s year’s to perfect the science behind deep-frying ice cream. Their homemade chocolate chip ice cream is spread between two cookies and quickly deep-fried to create a warm, crispy shell around the chilly ice cream center.

Deep-Fried Giant Gummy Bears – Gummy bears have taken the plunge into the deep fryer courtesy of the Sweet Shop. But the deliciousness doesn’t stop there; each bear will be covered in powdered sugar and strawberry sauce and served on a stick.

Deep-Fried Sauerkraut Balls – And now for something completely different: sauerkraut, cream cheese, breadcrumbs, and cheddar-jack cheese is hand-rolled into balls and deep-fried into melt-in-your-mouth goodness. You’ll have to try them for yourself at the Sweet Shop.

French Toast Burger – Porky’s introduced OKC to the doughnut burger, the pancake burger and the PB&J burger. Now they’re back with a new bun choice for you to try – sweet French toast!

Fried Chicken & Donuts with Maple Syrup – If you like chicken and waffles, you’ll LOVE chicken and donuts. Available at L’il Bits Donuts.

Honey Bun Bacon Cheeseburger – Harvell Concessions is combing sweet and savory for this new bacon cheeseburger by swapping the typical bun for a Honey Bun. Run, don’t walk, before it’s too late.

Monkey Time Donut – L’il Bits Donuts doesn’t monkey around with their fresh take on everyone’s favorite breakfast item. This specialty donut is topped with creamy peanut butter, fresh banana slices, honey, and bits of crumbled bacon! Our taste buds are singing already!

Nutella Donut – Great things happen when you mix Nutella and donuts. L’il Bits Donuts knows the way to our hearts with this hazelnut and chocolate sensation.

Red Velvet Cinnamon Roll – Tender, fluffy, and ooey-gooey cinnamon rolls with the flavor of red velvet cake, topped with real cream cheese frosting? Better get in line now for Sweet Shop’s most decadent new food item.

Wonderboy Corn Dog – Diamond Dawgs has a new spin on a Fair Food classic! They deep-fry a special recipe hot dog frank on a stick that has been coated in a homemade batter made out of Capt'n Crunch cereal. Served with a side of honey mustard, their technique creates a never before experienced taste and texture sensation.

[tfvc.org]

Where do they have the Authentic Peruvian Mountain Pan Pipe Band? I am going this year, the only day I can go is kids day (ugh!) but will be trying to get most of it in before school lets out.

[MadMonk]

Where do they have the Authentic Peruvian Mountain Pan Pipe Band? I am going this year, the only day I can go is kids day (ugh!) but will be trying to get most of it in before school lets out.

They are usually in the area in front of the Cox Pavilion, I believe. You will hear them before you see them.

[RadicalModerate]

At the Great State Fair of Minnesota, in addition to originating Cheese Curds and The Endless Milk Buffet, they managed to figure out how to put Spaghetti with Walleye on a stick. There were a lot of remnants of failed Spaghetti on a stick (with remnants of Walleye garnish) on the sidewalks. There was also a lot of crying in this regard. Mostly it was adults. The kids were crying about the dropped ice cream cones.

Oh! There was a big sign at every gate, and several tacked to trees, saying No Wandering Authentic Peruvian Pan Pipe Bands Allowed.

Instead, I got to see my idol, Billy Joe Shavers, live, in concert, at the Moosehead Beer Stage.
(or some other vaguely northern beer producers pavilion. maybe it was Grain Belt or Hamm's or Timberlodge. it was a big fair. I forget.)
(I don't recall any roasted corn, but they had these really tasty little bags of Olde Tymee Mini Donuts . . . =)

Still . . . I gave up on all that sort of Culinary Entertainment a little over a year ago.
I guess it's one of those "How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count The Weighs" things. =)
(which sort of kills the attraction of the weight guessing hustler's pitch)

ps: Unless you feel moved in the moment to buy a couple of CDs available at the Authentic Peruvian Mountain Band of Wandering Instrumental Minstrels you might consider that many of them--the CD's and before that, the Cassettes--are available at many yard and garage sales. For some reason, I can't locate the six or so I've bought at the fair over the years.


"Is the line between Cynicism and Pragmatism as thin as I think it is?
"Someone give that Venn Dude a call . . . or Maslow . . .
"Something seems to be missing."
~Anonymous

[Mel]

DON"T know if she is Peruvian or not but this young lady plays a classic song quite well on the flute. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1NoFb73kJQ

[ctchandler]

I have attended twice in twelve years but I think I'm going to take advantage of my age and go for free on Wednesday, senior citizens day, or, geezer day as some of you children call it. I'm going to head for the handicapped parking, unload my scooter and ride around for several hours, eating along the way. I think I will have an Indian taco first, visit one of the buildings then eat something else, visit another building...until I have had my fill of food or buildings, or my scooter battery runs out of juice. My doctor(s) won't like it, but as I tell them, "you only die twice", and I'm at "one" and counting.
C. T.

[TaoMaas]

Not anymore.

The "car show" is just a few old classics in a barn and the showroom floor is just like going to a dealership lot.

I don't think you're alone...and not because of the cars. I only quoted that part of your post because that was what pertained to things we used to get at the fair that was "new". The last two places where I've worked used to buy very prominent booths at the fair, but both have pulled out due to diminishing returns. I still go to the fair, but it is a shadow of its former self. Maybe the internet killed it, like so many other things, but there's just not much at the fair that's worth paying the price, while fighting the parking and the crowds, for these days. I think the organizers have lost sight of what used to make state fairs a unique marketing opportunity.

[kevinpate]

CT, don't worry what doctors say. I've already outlived two of mine.

[Edgar]

The elitists that run the fairgrounds have ruined it. It's a shell. They put the hard squeeze on all the vendors and required them to buy their goods from them. spaceage hip monorail gone, historic speedway razed, artifacts sold off. The fair is just a nuisance to these people until they can get back to making money on horse a pig shows no one attends. It's no longer the people's fairgrounds.

[RadicalModerate]

The elitists that run the fairgrounds have ruined it. It's a shell. They put the hard squeeze on all the vendors and required them to buy their goods from them. spaceage hip monorail gone, historic speedway razed, artifacts sold off. The fair is just a nuisance to these people until they can get back to making money on horse a pig shows no one attends. It's no longer the people's fairgrounds.

I think I just heard an echo of something I said a few days ago . . .
Except for the People's Fair part. As a hard line conservative I have to object to anything with vaguely "Commie" lingo. =)

[RadicalModerate]

DON"T know if she is Peruvian or not but this young lady plays a classic song quite well on the flute. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1NoFb73kJQ

My distain of Wandering Peruvian Mountain Folk Artists is feigned.
That's why I have several CD's--maybe cassettes?--gathering dust around here somewhere.

[RadicalModerate]

I have attended twice in twelve years but I think I'm going to take advantage of my age and go for free on Wednesday, senior citizens day, or, geezer day as some of you children call it. I'm going to head for the handicapped parking, unload my scooter and ride around for several hours, eating along the way. I think I will have an Indian taco first, visit one of the buildings then eat something else, visit another building...until I have had my fill of food or buildings, or my scooter battery runs out of juice. My doctor(s) won't like it, but as I tell them, "you only die twice", and I'm at "one" and counting.
C. T.

The Fair was more fair when this tune was on AM radio . . . =)


~c/o The Anti-Bobo the Dunking Clown =)

Looking at the title sequence to that clip makes me wonder about the availability of Deep Fried Broccoli on a Stick.
For the benefit of The Children.