The hubbinator took the day off on Friday and we made it to the Arizona State Fair. With the temp predicted to be 97, the crowds were pretty thin when we arrived a little after noon. We were able to get into the fair for free as part of a Fry’s grocery store promotion.

And, we were so happy to discover a new value-added feature—Foodie Friday.

From noon until six, each of the food booths offered a $2 deal. Many had lemonade/soda which we needed given the heat and beating sun, but we also got sampler sizes of many of the signature dishes.

We headed first for the Dragon Wings. They weren’t hot but sticky and sweet. Yum.  Then we had to Poutine (french fries with gravy and cheese curds). Very tasty. We zigged into the Coliseum to view the art. We were disappointed by the entries of sculptures and paintings, but the 4-H projects and school art were amazing.

Then there was the lantern display.

And we visited the dinosaur exhibit:

Hubby decided I needed to sell a lot more books so we can have our own in the backyard.

We then visited the petting zoo and the farm animals, grazed on a bean and cheese fry bread and a deep fried burrito before stopping by the Rock University show. And learned we knew some bits about Rock and Roll but not all. The son didn’t understand how have a 3 deck cassette playing boom box was so cool. We tried to explain, but some things have to be experienced. At the British invasion part, I was excited to see a phone booth.

Not exactly the TARDIS, but it is still cool. There were plenty of instruments for people to play including an oversized piano to step on.

Then we headed to the Purdue University section of where food comes from. Lots of children having fun. After watching the all Indian Rodeo and the most dangerous sport (bull riding) we drooled over the model railroad display then headed for shade and a barbecue sampler. It had barbecue pork, barbecue beans, cole slaw on top of pork rinds. I wasn’t sure about the pork rinds but then I tasted it. Delicious.

While we ate, we watched excitement on the Telemundo stage. Okay, except for food-speak, my Spanish is very limited, but they had minions dancing and that was entertaining. As was watching the hostess trying to get little kids to dance along with the minions.

After a big glass of watermelon lemonade, we then made our way to the hoop dancers before returning the watch the flying meatball circus (acrobats, juggling, bad jokes, and stunts). Exhausted, we headed home and made it home about 8PM to rest in front of the TV.

I love the fair and am still smiling.

Until next time.