State Fair: Video Preview

Submitted by James Lileks, Star Tribune Editor on Wed, 08/22/2007 - 8:11pm.

Actually, it's a recap of a past Fair - but given the pace of change, it could be last year, or '99. Longtime Fairgoers will enjoy finding things that no longer exist, of course.

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No Fair (this year)

Submitted by LRigretto on Wed, 08/22/2007 - 8:43pm.

Alas, no State Fair for us this year. This weekend we're
off to the farm in WI and then I head to NM for Labor Day weekend. Wish I could play hooky from work to go - there's no place more Minnesota-y than the fair.

I remember my very first time there, we got on this ride with one cage on each end that spun vertically. I love fast spinning rides but this time I was sure I was going to die. Found out a bit later I was a month pregnant at the time. That was 16 years ago and I never got on that ride again. I'm not even sure if they still have it.

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The spinning cages

Submitted by James_Lileks on Wed, 08/22/2007 - 10:26pm.

I remember that ride! It seemed particularly harrowing. Not as bad as the Zipper, which is still the ultimate Stomach Contents Rearranging Contraption, but it looked bad enough. The relevant word here is "cage," since that's the term that comes immediately to mind the moment the carny closes the door. Until then, it was a ride. Now it's a CAGE.

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Name that Ride

Submitted by LRigretto on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 3:45pm.

If you see the ride at the fair, James, I'd love to know what it's called. Something tool-related seems to be hanging on in the deep recesses of my memory (The Hatchet? The Hammer? The Death Axe that Makes Your Tough-Guy Husband Scream for His Mommy?). If I somehow make it up there this year I might even work up the courage to ride it again.

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