The Kentucky State Fair

Doesn't the title of this post already conjure up lots of redneck images for you?  One of my friends on facebook summed up our Kentucky State Fair beautifully.....Walmart on steroids.  I love it.  I am from Kentucky, specifically Louisville, and I went to the Fair every year until I moved away, so I am allowed to poke a little fun. 

Really, I do love the Fair.  We used to go every year on Thursday, the very first day it opened.  Why on the very first day you ask?  Because we couldn't stand the wait every year and had to get in first?  Because we were so excited?  No, it was because the cows hadn't stunk up the place yet.

So, after being gone for 14 years and only going to the Fair twice during that time, my husband and I went this weekend.  And, I've got some stories to tell.

Do you like Fair food?  I love it.  Fair food is like no other.  They will deep fry anything.  A N Y T H I N G!  This year's big thing was deep fried Kool-Aide and deep fried Derby Pie.  Well, there was also deep fried butter. That's the rumor anyway.  It was like Big Foot.  I heard about it from friends, but did not actually spot any.

I couldn't believe my luck!  Derby Pie is my all time favorite pie!  Let me digress a little and say to those folks who are asking "Derby Pie?  Isn't that just pecan pie with chocolate in it?"  Oh noooooooo, it is a special pie patented by Kern's Kitchen in Louisville and if you call any other pie Derby Pie you could get in big trouble...as in I violated a patent kind of trouble.  We are very serious about it.  Can you tell?  FYI, I am in no way affiliated with pie makers of any kind. 

So, let's start with Derby Pie, which is fantastic to begin with, and do something wonderful to it.  Deep fry it.  It was deeelish.

Doesn't look like much does it?

I did not try the deep fried Kool Aide, which looked like red hush puppies.  No thanks.  I'll pass.

What did my husband try?  He is a foodie.  He loves to talk food.  He also loves to watch "Man vs. Food."  He also is not a big fan of Derby Pie.  Still, I tolerate him.  That being said, how could he pass up an opportunity to try.........drum roll please.....

A DONUT BURGER!!!!

I love the description on the sign..."Fresh--Never Frozen".  Because, that's the most important part.  My donut burger, made with lots of fat and preservatives dipped in boiling oil that's probably been in the fryer all day and fried to a crispy golden brown, has GOT to be fresh!! 

He's thinking about it....it took a little encouraging, ok, not much.

Let's talk about this donut burger.  It is exactly what it says it is.  A burger, sandwiched between two Krispy Kreme glazed donuts, covered in condiments of your choosing, topped with lettuce, tomatoe and onions.  Oh yeah, and cheese if you want it.  Yummy!!  To make it even more appetizing, check out this shot.  Burgers and donuts, side by side.  Together in perfect harmony.  Makes me want to sing. 

CHOOOOMP!!!

He was up for the challenge.  After he polished off the entire burger, in less than 5 minutes, I asked him "How was it?"  His answer:  "Doesn't really go together." 

Are ya kidding me?  What a let down.  I don't think he's going to be hosting his own show anytime soon.  But really, I think I kind of knew that they didn't really go together.  Derby Pie and fried batter do go together, in my book anyway, and that's why I opted for that instead.

After our night at the Fair (and the Maroon 5/Train concert!  Woo hooo!!!) we went back to the hotel.  Believe it or not, this is the first time in 8 years of kids that we have had an entire night to ourselves with no kids.  Yes, I did go on a trip last year, but that was just me.  This was the first time for just the two of us.  Together.  No kids.  The silence was unbelievable.  It was awesome.  We quickly made up for it the next day as I got shot in the butt with a Nerf gun repeatedly and had to referee 80 gazillion fights and clean poop off the bathroom floor (more on that another day).  But anyway, back to our night....or rather, the next morning. 

After a restful night of sleep in a luxurious King sized bed with no children wedged between us kicking me in the stomach through the night, I took a shower.  A nice hot shower with a gigantic shower head.  As I was drying off, I heard it.....the fire alarm.  You got it people, I'm totally naked dripping wet and there's a fire alarm.  What to do??  Throw on some clothes and get the heck out of there?  Ignore it?  I am a rule follower.  Oh yes, that is me.  I can not NOT follow the rules.  Luckily I am skilled at taking showers and getting ready for the day at the speed of light.  My personal best is showering, washing and drying my hair, applying make-up and getting three kids dressed in 30 minutes.  They ate toast in the car.  No time for breakfast. 

So, of course, I had no choice but to get dressed fast and go outside.  Always the resourceful multi-tasker, I grabbed my makeup bag and  did my makeup on the curb outside the hotel. 

You'll be glad to know the hotel didn't burn down.  I'm sure that's what you all thought, right?!  False alarm.  Of course.  But, you never know!  Better safe than sorry, I say.  This little debacle actually put me ahead of the game because my husband had to just sit there while I got ready, curbside.  Of course, he had no idea what I was doing because he was too busy scanning the crowd for Adam Levine.  Because, he was absolutely sure he was out there somewhere.  On a curb.  Waiting out the fire drill.  With his roadies.  Because, I'm sure he's a rule follower too. 

Aren't all rock stars?