Not a "Fair" Comparison

The MN State Fair is the best fair in all of the land.  I mean the very best.  Nothing can compare.  People here say, "oh, I've been to fairs".  They just cannot comprehend the huge-ness of the MN State Fair. I have loved the fair since the first time I went.  Then, my college had to start before fair time.  I was able to go with my best friend and Dad before the fair started.

Then I stayed in IL.  I always return to work 2 weeks before Labor Day, so the fair has never been a possibility.  My return visit to the fair was on my maternity leave when Simon was itty-bitty.  We then had a second visit when my school was under construction and my work/school year started after Labor  Day.  We went during the first week of the fair and loved it! If I recall correctly, this was also the year Mom spent fair time in the hospital.  Simon now starts school 1 week before Labor Day.  We have to drive late Friday, of Labor Day weekend, to get there.  Driving back to IL on Labor Day is not a day of rest and traffic increases greatly once you pass WI Dells.  Madison to Chicago is usually bumper to bumper.  We went last year for the great State Fair weekend, but man was everyone ty-rid the entire next week.  I feel it not quite fair for Eric to spend his Labor Day off of work every year driving in a car.  The beginning of the school year is tough enough for me, but taking that weekend trip seemed to put me a bit backwards last year.  Granted, we play VERY HARD at the fair for two full days.  My parents live about 5 blocks from the entrance so we walk there and can come and go as we please.  Spending two full days at the fair is awesome, but you could not ever see EVERYTHING in those two days.

We have decided that we will go every other year to the State Fair.  I have to stop checking the website for daily events, new attractions, and the advertised new "food on a stick".  Can a person be "fair-sick"?

This year is the year that we do not go to the MN State Fair.  To still give us a big fair feeling, we are going to try the Sandwich County Fair in Sandwich, IL.  About an hour away from home.   A bit closer.  This fair is touted as a great big fair, we'll see about that.  But, if we get a sense of farm and have fun, this will work for the other, every-other year fair fun! It won't be the "great MN get together", but it'll be a fair!  And we'll have a ton of fun!