statefair05.jpg Minnesota State Fair 2002
(22nd Aug - 2nd Sept 2002)		 statefair01.jpg

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statefair02.jpg Minnesota State Fair 2002 was definitely the very first "thing" I ever did since I came to Minnesota. We went some time close to the last day of the Fair; maybe the 1st Sept I think. However, I'm not even sure if I'll have anything exciting to write about. Not that it was boring, but rather this was my first time out with a group of Navigators people, which meant that I actually went with a group of perfect strangers! Never knew I could do something as crazy as that. Well, I would say that most if not all of the photos of the State Fair are pretty meaningless because I was just snapping around for the sake of doing so. Still, I think it was an event significant for me to write on. To the left is one such "meaningless" photo. =P

Ok, before you start complaining about another meaningless picture, notice that both the guys in the forefront are wearing Abercrombie & Fitch shirts. Aparrently it's a huge thing with teenagers here. But no, I did not take their picture on purpose. They just happened to be there. =P
Basically the State Fair was very much like a pasar malam back in Singapore, except at least 15 times larger. Honestly, as I was following the group, I had no idea where we were going, and after about 4h there I didn't think we actually managed to walk every single area there. It was just amazing to see the massive scale at which this whole event was held.		 statefair03.jpg

statefair04.jpg I actually like this photo quite a bit. I dunno... I think it's just the bright lights of the rides and the people on the rides against the orange sunset sky.
So here are the "firsts" for me at this Fair: (1) First time at a US State Fair, (2) First time I had cheese curds, (3) First (and I think last) time I ever felt as humid and sticky as if I was back in Singapore. Oh, and we saw the largest/fattest pig, among other prize-winning farm animals. Someone in the group told me that all the animals who were brought to these Fairs to take part in competitions would all be slaughtered once they get back because of the risk of a virus infection or whatever from the crowds that come in everyday. So much for all that grooming and fattening! (I assume they do that to the animals they choose for competitions?)

Ok, fact is, those were all the photos I took. I doubt anyone wants to see anymore random pictures anyway. But we actually stayed till midnight (or was it 11pm, I can't remember) to watch the fireworks. Though I'm quite sure some time in the past my parents did take me to watch fireworks during the National Day Parade or something, it felt like a totally new experience for me. For once, I felt like a little kid again, dazzled by the flashing patterns across the sky. I'm not exaggerating here; it was really spectacular. At least to me! I'm really thankful though to still have the "kid" in me that finds enormous enjoyment and amazement in such simple "kiddy" things.
So here ends my "meaningless" experience to the State Fair, where I only spent $3 on cheese curds. But to me it was much more than that. It was a great experience to be immersed in the local culture here together with a group of Americans whom I've come to call friends. To be able to do this less than 3 weeks after arriving here was such a blessed opportunity. I'll definitely be at this year's State Fair again, this time with friends I would've known for close to a year, so I'll definitely have better pictures and better stories!

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