"What can you tell me about Wisconsin dairy?" I asked one, who drew back, startled. I hastily pointed out that her green shirt had, "Ask me about Wisconsin dairy" in big letters across the back. Maybe nobody ever takes them up on the offer.
"California has more cows..." she began — true, with 1.7 million dairy cows, it leads the nation in milk production. Wisconsin is second, and obviously, that shortcoming weighs on folks here. "But Wisconsin cows are happier," she claimed, explaining that it's because their sources of feed can be grown locally.
To be honest, the cows did not look happy. They were sprawled on the floor, facing away from the crowd. I would have gone with "aloof."
We were standing at Dairy Lane on Saturday evening. Not my usual weekend entertainment choice. But my future second daughter-in-law (the older son got married in July) has people in Wisconsin, and wanted to go to the fair with her fiance. My wife and I were invited along so of course we went — how could you not?
The central fair activity is eating. My plan was to hold back, consider my options. But we almost immediately encountered the Milk House, offering $1 cups of milk. How could you not? It would be like going to Rome and skipping the pasta. I was disappointed that all the milk on the menu is flavored — salted caramel, strawberry cheesecake, root beer. "Don't you have milk-flavored milk?" I asked. No, they did not. We opted for cookies and cream, which turned out to be frothy and delicious. "Damn good milk!" I reported back.
My strategy was to share — a couple bites of my wife's corn dipped in butter, a quarter of my son's Dirty Chai Cinnamon Roll Lumpia (a Filipino spring roll). A bite of shepherd's pie on a bun. A deep-fried cheese curd. A deep fried shrimp. It adds up.
We were standing at Dairy Lane on Saturday evening. Not my usual weekend entertainment choice. But my future second daughter-in-law (the older son got married in July) has people in Wisconsin, and wanted to go to the fair with her fiance. My wife and I were invited along so of course we went — how could you not?
The central fair activity is eating. My plan was to hold back, consider my options. But we almost immediately encountered the Milk House, offering $1 cups of milk. How could you not? It would be like going to Rome and skipping the pasta. I was disappointed that all the milk on the menu is flavored — salted caramel, strawberry cheesecake, root beer. "Don't you have milk-flavored milk?" I asked. No, they did not. We opted for cookies and cream, which turned out to be frothy and delicious. "Damn good milk!" I reported back.
My strategy was to share — a couple bites of my wife's corn dipped in butter, a quarter of my son's Dirty Chai Cinnamon Roll Lumpia (a Filipino spring roll). A bite of shepherd's pie on a bun. A deep-fried cheese curd. A deep fried shrimp. It adds up.
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Ive been to the the Wisconsin state fair , the illinois state fair and the Indiana state fair a couple of times with David Yow where he won a minibike playing on the crooked pool table with a crooked stick. never thought of the goings on as expensive?
ReplyDeleteReading this piece makes me kinda miss my chickens and goats
Two completely unrelated observations here:
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's just the company I keep, but I have only ever once encountered a MAGA hat in real life. It was on the head of an older man in our local Ace Hardware, who interrupted my conversation with an Ace employee to loudly ask (well, everything he said was loud) where he might find military aircraft models to build. Not a big product line for Ace, so the employee suggested either Michael's or Hobby Lobby, and I gave the man directions to both. He wandered off, still loudly commenting on aircraft models and how he liked to build them. The Ace employee and I exchanged glances, but nothing more was said.
As for cream puffs, I would say you really need a "soggy," or at least soft, pastry on the outside, or else your attempt to bite it will simply squash the resilient pastry and squoosh the contents out the back. I try to avoid squashing and squooshing whenever possible.
I did check to see if by any chance puffertorium was a real word. I trust it will be now. Great opening too. Interesting that there was no plain milk on offer. One of my more vivid impressions of Wisconsin is that at every occasion milk available. My aunt and uncle's 25th anniversary? Polka, beer, and milk. A judicial conference in Madison? Wine, cocktails, and milk.
ReplyDeleteCream puffs and brats from the SBH. You nailed the two highlights, imho.
ReplyDeleteI've been to a few fairs. Nothing can beat the Wisc. puffs.
ReplyDeleteMy sister, a 50-year resident, claims the Minnesota State Fair is the largest in the country. Texans make the same claim. The Ohio' State Fair, in Columbus, is right up there with either of them. Been to it a couple of times, and enjoyed myself immensely. Saddens me immeasurably that such a diverse and productive state is now so deep red, and about to vote for Mr. Tangerine Man for the third straight time.
ReplyDeleteNever went down to Springfield. Long ride, and too hot. Didn't go to to the fair in Milwaukee, despite living only forty miles from the state line. My first wife was a suburban girl, with rural relatives. The agricultural life held no appeal for her. Didn't like crowds, either. My loss. You snooze, you lose.