* Well, here’s some good news. My iPhone’s AT&T service actually worked at the State Fair last night, probably because there wasn’t a big concert and crowds were kinda thin (Monday’s don’t seem to draw large crowds). I doubt it’ll be the same the rest of the week, though.

* I stopped by the Commodities Pavillion to check out the table I sponsored this year at the Pork Producers’ booth. The graphic is based on this painting by my niece Reagan…

But it didn’t show up too well…

Oh, well. Live and learn, I suppose.

* I also tried this while I was at the pavillion…

Not so great, I’m afraid.

* I tried a different corn dog than my usual Miller’s and it wasn’t good. Never again. The emcee at the draft horse competition thought he was a comedian, so that was a little tedious. The pierogies I bought at Ethnic Village were on the bland side. It rained for a while.

But I did see some cool exotic animals, had a great pork chop sandwich, had a nice Sky Tram ride, and thoroughly enjoyed a long walk around the fairgrounds on a beautiful evening.

Even when things go a little wrong, the Illinois State Fair just can’t be beat.

* Blogging will likely be light to non-existent the rest of the day because I have to leave soon for the “celebrity” harness horse race, which I’m in, as usual, and will start at about 1 o’clock. Be there or be square!

*** UPDATE *** I finished in the money. HDems won, SGOPs placed, Governor’s office was out of the money…

       

30 Comments - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 11:27 am: Good luck, Rich. Make sure your horse doesn’t “break stride”! - Mason born - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 11:35 am: Have Fun Rich. - Levois - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 11:44 am: Now I need to find my way to the State Fair one of these days. Never spent any time in Springfield usually just passed through by train going elsewhere. May have to take two trips one for state fair another for the Illinois General Assembly. Have little idea what I’m missing. - A guy... - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 11:47 am: Insist on urine tests for your competitors. I bet the horses wind up cleaner than the riders. Not worried about you RM. That corn dog probably will show up though. - Cassiopeia - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 11:51 am: This will be one of the first times in my life that I won’t be going to Democrat day at the fair. The only way to get a ticket is if you wear a green shirt and cheer Generalissimo Quinn. I hope the press gives him no coverage at his state worker’s rally. Maybe he is just a coward. - Cincinnatus - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 12:48 pm: Giddyup. - Cincinnatus - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 12:49 pm: Cass, I can get you in Republican day… - Major - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 12:49 pm: –I tried a different corn dog than my usual Miller’s and it wasn’t good. Never again.– Is that the Miller’s right next to the Ethnic Village entrance on Main Street? They are from Beardstown? I tried one there last night after hearing about them here. I didn’t really think they were any better than the rest tho. It was kinda slow tho and maybe they weren’t fresh. - Keyser Soze - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 12:55 pm: Try the chocolate covered bacon…..just west of the Miller tent….yum! - Small Town Liberal - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 12:58 pm: - The only way to get a ticket is if you wear a green shirt and cheer Generalissimo Quinn. - That’s a complete lie, but I’m glad you won’t be there. Good riddance. - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 1:36 pm: I didn’t win, but I did finish in the money. So I’m happy about that. Video later - Cincinnatus - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 1:51 pm: Excellent video of you, Rich. Who was driving? ;-{o> - wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 2:02 pm: Why would anyone try to improve on bacon? Pork chops, ham — those little squealers truly are the magical animal. - Cheswick - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 2:06 pm: In the money is good. Congratulations, Rich. Great work and great fun. Wish I could have been there. My favorite time at the fair was the year I had a parking pass for every day, all day (but not anywhere). Good times. - Cheswick - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 2:07 pm: @FakeJasonPlummer: I hope dad takes me to the fair this year. But I won’t ride those upside down rides. Heeeeeeee - Cincinnatus - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 2:07 pm: Word, I was at the Boone County Fair over the weekend when in the adjacent barn a hog started squealing. I figured it figured it was pork… - Joan P. - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 2:30 pm: “Governor’s office was out of the money . . .” Ha! In more ways than one. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 2:36 pm: Well done, Rich, and great video. Looks like a blast too. - Secretariat - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 2:49 pm: House wins.. Gov loses!! Were describing the race or life in general?? - Amalia - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 3:23 pm: piggy squee! great art work. - Chavez-respecting Obamist - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 3:28 pm: The Trib is reporting Zuccarelli said no to the CTA board deal. - CircularFiringSquad - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 3:36 pm: way to play down Steve Brown’s huge win! BTW he will spending the winner’s share of the purse at the Alan Dixon Book Signing at Boone’s tonite at 5 p.m. Be there or be square - Raymond - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 3:51 pm: Who rode for the governor’s office? Saw Brooke tweeting from Orland Park today (the latest of PQ’s frequent feel-good “public” appearances). - Way South of I-80 - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 3:51 pm: I too love the Illinois State Fair and have only missed it twice in my life. Have spent many days and evenings there and even used to camp there when I was a child. Riding with the jockey at the Illinois State Fair is on my bucket list for sure!! Enjoyed your video - a little wind in the face (maybe eating a little dust) and I would have felt like I was there! Thanks Rich! - dupage dan - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 4:01 pm: Yep, Zuccarelli quit - it’s official. - Elmer - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 4:06 pm: This way to the glue factory. - CircularFiringSquad - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 4:30 pm: Lookee here who won in the 9th 1st Fox Valley Bonita (4, M Yankee Skyscaper - Barberry Hanover - Walton Hanover) Registered Owner(s)/Lessee(s): Ray Hanna - IL, Jim Edgar - IL Breeder(s): Fox Valley Standardbreds - IL Yup that Jim Edgar…congrats - Arthur Andersen - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 4:42 pm: Illinois Politics-The View Never Changes. - Harness Racing Fan - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 5:48 pm: Thanks for taking part in the race again and for posting the video. Everyone ought to get to sit behind one, it’s quite a thrill. - Wallendar - Tuesday, Aug 13, 13 @ 7:57 pm: They don’t allow pets at the State Fair and we wanted to go. Our dog, PIP, is only 8 lbs is very well behaved and always leashed. How backwards - typical!! Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.