I'm thinking about going to the MN State Fair tomorrow (later today, actually). Haven't gone yet this year and I feel obligated to go at least once, for at least a few hours, each year. Words don't really do the place justice, if you've never been to the Minnesota State Fair, it's just one of those places you have to visit to understand. Well, you can't really understand it, but you can certainly experience it.

A recent Backfence column by James Lileks reminded me of some of the more, unpleasant, aspects of fair going:

There's the people-watching. There's also, unfortunately, people-hearing, people-smelling and the astronomically high ewww-factor of people-touching, which is unavoidable on a hot, crowded day. But you can prepare yourself to this moment by desensitizing yourself at home: Get a large ham. Moisten. Rub against shoulder.

Do this until you're no longer surprised that the ham doesn't apologize.

Oh yeah-- there's a ton of Fair coverage at startribune.com