The State Fair is starting up and we still have way too many open spots. If you have signed up for one spot, consider signing up a second for even a third spot. Last year I did 9 spots. I loved it!!!!
Here are the tricks I used for the various spots: Early morning - get there early and you can part on Como or other really close spots. It is awesome to watch the fair grow from a few folks to the masses of midday. Even though most food places don't open up too early, I could easily have them cook something up for me special. The 9-1 shift is awesome - and probably my favorite because I get there at 6 a.m. when they first open and I hit the barns and watch them wake their animals, milk or tend to them and then make them pretty for the upcoming competitions. Midday shift - If you like people watching - this is your shift! Families, families and more families. What a joy to watch the kids flock to the spinning wheel! The food mid-day is the best of the fair. The deep fryers are fresh and everything tastes wonderful, plus the day shift has had time to get in the swing of things. Right after the midday shift I hit the horse competitions in splendid air conditioning. The live birth barn is best just before and after this shift. Night shift - I have to do at least one night shift when I go. The midway at night is a unique expression of the fair. The young couples and teens and kids roaming the games and rides are an eye opener for fashion and reminding me of when I was a kid. I think we all need that sometimes to truly appreciate not being a kid any longer and appreciating where we are right now. Late food is delightful and the fireworks an hour after the shift ends is always worth the stay. Don't forget that there are more easy ways to get to and back from the fair than ever. And cheap too! Buses, plenty of off-site parking and shuttles. I love the express buses because I can come and go as I please with no traffic worries. Finally - make sure you know where to go to get off your feet for a while. There are many sit-down food places, the food barn has lots. Many of the buildings have air conditioning and the odd chair sitting there. Under the grandstand is the best seats though - most of them either vibrate, massage, relax your feet or shoulders - but no air. Most area in there have fans though. We really need you to step up soon for the MOU booth. We have way too many openings. How about a date night at the booth? How about having the family host a shift? Look at who is there and hook up with a name that look familiar but you have never met. Whatever you worries, there is no way to do anything wrong. Set up and take down are simple and if you have questions, contact Kate or Jen or anyone else on the schedule. We just pull it all inside or find it inside the doors and pull it all out. Simple stuff and the rewards are amazing. This is just a great reason to connect with other birders staffing or asking for support - and meeting new or potential birders or even seeding the passion that someone seeded in you back when you first started. Are you ready to make a difference? Jump in now!!! Thomas Maiello Angel Environmental Management, Inc. Maple Grove, MN ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
