The Shake Up

A Blog to our Patrons for the 2011 Kentucky State Fair:

Dear Patrons,

We have never seen 11 days go faster than they did in the past two weeks! The day after the Fair is a bittersweet time. It’s the same feeling one might get as a child on Christmas Day in the late afternoon after waiting all year and the presents are opened and the holiday feast has been eaten, a certain mixture of bliss and a sad calm creep in. All the time, knowing that even though it’s over, it was everything you had hoped it would be.

Nothing at the Fair compares in greatness to our faithful patrons. You are the reason the Fair exists , and the reason that 365 days have been dedicated for 107 years to planning the celebration. It may not be perfect, but the smiles on the faces of your children, and the joy from watching your mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers let loose and have fun is worth every hour of time or cent of money that is put into this great Kentucky tradition.

This year was vintage Kentucky State Fair, blending agriculture, eccentricity, music, and a groundswell of approval for all things culinary. A country ham raised $600,000 for charity. Quilts and textiles were “awed over.”  Rides continuously thrilled the youngest and oldest thrillseekers. Heifers, pigs, sheep, and other livestock got the chance to strut their stuff outside the barn and feel the adoration of people from all over the state. FFA and 4-H members proved the sustainability of Kentucky agriculture and gained scholarships for their dedication. Train, Maroon 5, Lady Antebellum, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Boyz II Men and so many more came to know what it’s like to perform for the best crowds in the world at the Kentucky State Fair. Success in so many forms.

We can’t thank you enough for coming, and for being the greatest patrons in the country. We only have to wait 52 more weeks for the next Fair. August 16, 2012 will be here before we know it, and we hope you will come back and support us. Each year we build from the positives and learn from our mistakes. We think 2011 was one of the best Fair’s we have ever had. But, we want to make 2012 the “soon-to-be best Fair we have ever had.” So, we have a lot of work to do. Don’t worry, the blogs will keep coming throughout the year. We’re much too excited to stay quiet. Until then, have a great fall, winter and spring. We will see you next summer.

Love, Peace, and Cotton Candy,

The Kentucky State Fair

The Fair is loud, fast-paced and addicted to a good show. So, it was only fitting for the Fair to play host to another event that appreciates similar interests. This year’s America’s Best Cheerleading and Dance Championship sponsored by JAM Brands was held in the South Wing. More than 45 teams comprised of more than 600 athletes came from around Kentucky and Southern Indiana to showcase their talent.

Athleticism is rarely found amongst bows and bouncing curls, but these competitors take pride in their ability to perform a 2 minute and 30 second acrobatic routine with a smile on their faces. While watching the competition, it would be hard for anyone to deny that cheerleading has evolved from an extracurricular activity into a full-on sport.

Matching uniforms moved all about on the blue carpet mats. Nerves were not shown as the teams stood waiting for their music; their cue to start a routine they had been practicing for close to a year. In unison, hands moved, tumbling passes were thrown and stunts flew up in the air. Proud parents watched in the audience sporting shirts with “insert name here’s MOM” on the back.

When the routine was over, the competitors’ faces stayed lit, no matter how well their performance had gone. Girls hugged one another excitedly before exiting the stage, something that should probably catch on in the other sport’s worlds.

Sure the cheerleading competition was loud, fun and thrilling. But it was also humbling in a way that one could never expect. A valiant rule was to be learned: No matter what happens, just keep smiling.

I can barely plan a meal in a week, let alone CREATE a meal in thirty minutes. Add in mandatory secret ingredients and the stress of competition, and you have completely lost me.

I’m not sure if great cooks find cooking competitions as interesting as cook-challenged individuals such as myself do, but while watching my first Cast-Iron Chef competition at the Fair today, I was in utter culinary amazement.

Move over Batman and Robin, I found two new heroes during my meandering in South Wing B: Jeff Roszkowski, a culinary student at Sullivan University and Michael Riggs, Executive Chef and Associate Professor of Culinary Arts at Bowling Green Technical College.

The ticking LED timer and shiny appliances from the Gourmet Garden Stage caught my attention, so I sat in the gallery to see what all the fuss was about. I watched as two men, looking almost presidential in their white coats and checkered chef pants, cut, sautéed and julienned whatever that means fresh ingredients from Kentucky Proud farms.

Competition emcee Dean Corbett of Equus Restaurant and Jack’s Lounge in Louisville started the competition by explaining the rules. If you are not one of the 100 million viewers of the Food Network channel or a regular fairgoer, here’s a little rundown of the competition: two chefs are given 30 minutes to create an entrée from three ingredients that are kept secret until the timer has began. Corbett explained this to the audience. I felt at home surveying the faces around me that looked just as baffled as I was.

“How are they going to know what to make? They don’t have a recipe? Or a measuring cup? OR A MICROWAVE?!”

To my complete shock and amazement, no horrified look of angst crossed the chef’s faces as the secret ingredients were revealed: ground beef, yellow squash, and mixed herbs. Instead, they seemed calm and the quick moving hands of the culinary artists went to work. The steam rose and skillets sizzled faster than I could even process that the competition had started.

I was bypassed by three lucky members in the crowd who were chosen to be judges. They all had good reason for landing their coveted place at the judges table. One petite blonde had traveled all the way from British Columbia, Canada. Another man was a cattle farmer donning the uniforming cowboy hat, blue jeans and all. And then there was Will. Host Corbett announced that “Willie T” had been to every Cast-Iron Chef Competition since the beginning of the Fair.

“I’ll let you be a judge if you promise to go see something else tomorrow,” Corbett told him.

The three hungry-eyed winners took their places.  The crowd answered beef trivia given by Corbett and received small prizes. One of which was an apron that was literally ripped from my grip by a polite grandmother who answered the question seconds before me. Considering I survive on Smart Ones frozen entrees and have no need for an apron, I let it slide. The counter continued to tick as the two calm cooks carried on.

Finally it was time for the taste test. I watched in a rather envious state as the “overnight Bobby Flay’s” scored each dish. The results were tallied. The winner was announced: Congrats Jeff Roszkowski. The nine-month long Sullivan University student had won against the seasoned Mike Riggs. I am always a sucker for the underdog, but in this case I felt as if both chefs’ needed a plaque and blue ribbon; If not for culinary skills, then for quick thinking under pressure skills, one that I inevitably lack.

Eager to learn, I spoke with the chefs afterward. However, considering my extreme lack of training in the culinary department, I chose to stick with straight forward questions: “How long have you been a chef? What were your thoughts on the ingredients?”  My fears from watching “Hell’s Kitchen” seemed completely unfounded after both chefs graciously answered my amateur questions and thanked me for coming.

Coming from a girl who recently burned hamburger helper, I have to say I have an immense respect for anyone in the culinary field. They work with food like a painter works with a brush. And thank God for that, because the domestically-challenged of the world, such as me, need their inspiration.

Watch out Wheaties. There is a new breakfast of champions coming to town! The Great American Spam Championship’s theme this year happened to be the most important meal of the day. Hormel, Spam’s parent company, sent representatives to the Fair to judge different unique breakfast recipes and chose a, well, “Spampion.”

One lucky representative and first-time Kentucky State Fair visitor was Emily Helmer, a consumer product sales representative from Detroit, Michigan.  Emily said the judges look for three main criteria when judging: Taste (45%), Originality (30%) and Presentation (25%).

“I’m really excited about presentation because I heard at this Fair they go all out,” Helmer said.

And yes, in case you are wondering, the judges try ALL of the entries; 79 adult entries, and 23 junior division entries. That’s a total of at least 102 cans of Spam.

“I am excited, I just hope I don’t get too full,” she said.

Spam, America’s other ham, was created in 1937. It gained popularity during WWII due to its long shelf life and compact container. But Helmer and other representatives of Spam say they want this competition, as well as others, to bring attention to the fact that Spam is not just a convenient alternative.

“We want to show the uniqueness and versatility of our product,” said Helmer. “We want to show Spam fans that they can incorporate Spam into their everyday lives.”

Spam creationists are not just making budget-friendly recipes for fun; they are competing for some pretty hefty prizes. In both categories, the first place prize is $150, and a chance move on to the national round. The national winner gets to jet-off to the Spam capital of the U.S.: The Waikiki Spam Jam in Waikiki, Hawaii.

Participants in the competition are only required to use one 12 ounce can of Spam in their recipes, which leaves a lot of room for different and versatile creations. Creations this year included: Spam Scotch Eggs, Spam Pizza, Spam Waffle Casserole, Spam Apple Cheddar Quiche and more.

Larry Terrell, a competitor from Paoli, Ind. entered a type of Spam quiche he hopes will be enough to impress the judges. Because his wife is allergic to eggs, he sent it with her to her office’s potluck breakfast for approval. He heard only positive reports, and decided to enter.

“This is my fourth consecutive year,” he said. “I only do it for the fun.”

Amy and Austin Russell, a brother-sister duo from Pleasure Ridge Park, Ky. both entered different recipes in the Junior Division of the competition. They sat in anticipation waiting for their master creations to be judged, while sporting lime green “Spam Fan” ribbons on their shirts. Amy’s entry was a “Spam Quick Quiche,” while Austin chose the funky-fitting title “Jammin Spam Breakfast Bites.”

“I wanted to bring vegetables into a recipe I thought kids would like,” said Amy. “I added spinach and spam, I really like it.”

In our eyes, all the contestants of this unique competition are winners. However, there can only be one true “Spampion.” Try some recipes out yourself. What are you waiting for? Wake up and smell the Spam.

Gasp in awe at the magnificent beauty of the rain forest. Laugh at the monkeys and sloths swaying in the trees. Stand under the giant crystal blue waterfall, but watch out for the alligator. You can pet the cheetah, just be careful not to pop him.

16 years ago, Johnna and John Perry fell in love. Not only with each other, but with balloon art. From there they were married and Balloon Masters was born. The exhibit has been stunning audiences in several different venues for years. Thousands of visitors file past the exhibit in the North Lobby at the Fair every day. Many stop in amazement, and watch the creation as it is handcrafted, balloon by balloon. Johnna and John interact with customers while twisting and turning regular plastic balloons into artistic 3-D creatures and landscapes. Both Johnna and John agreed that creating balloon art was rewarding for them, because everyone can relate to the element.

“Not everyone has worked with copper or bronze, they don’t know how it feels or works,” said Johnna Perry. “Everyone has touched a balloon, they have that association with them.”

Balloon Masters has become a mainstay at the Fair for the past five years. And with the continuity comes the regulars. Like any good coffee shop or small town delicatessen, Joanna sees some of the same faces year after year. One family even uses a picture of themselves in front of the exhibit for their Christmas card every year.

“We could be doing something at an art museum or studio,” she said. “But we love to be out here interacting with the people. That is the best part for us.”

While they humbly said the Kentucky State Fair is one of their favorite destinations, the couple has traveled the country, and the globe sharing their talents. For each different exhibit, a new theme is chosen and researched before a plan is drawn. No theme is used twice, and no part of any exhibit is ever re-used. When they begin again, they begin from scratch.

The backdrop of the exhibit is a carefully constructed grid including a numbered code. The balloons for the backdrop are blown up and put in place in a particular sequence. On the first day of the Fair, Johnna said their exhibit had already used around 3,000 balloons.

Each day at 12:30 p.m. John and Johnna have a Q&A session and interactive lesson with visitors.

“By the end of the Fair we will have taught 2,000 people how to make a balloon dog,” said Johnna. “There will be an overflow of balloon dogs in Kentucky!”

Everyday, more and more creatures are added. Currently, the exhibit showcases brilliantly colored trees, a flowing waterfall, an alligator, cheetah, sloth, monkey and a toucan. Johnna and John are in the process of adding insects, tree frogs and other appropriate rain forest natives.

So make sure to stop by the North Lobby to see Louisville’s only balloon rain forest! We think? Also, check out the Balloon Masters Facebook and Twitter (@UpUpandawayblns).

Beginners luck had nothing to do with Sally Miller’s B-I-G win in Heritage Hall. In fact, she attributes her “first game of the day” success to good old fashion listening.

Miller arrived at Heritage Hall at 12:30 p.m. and began playing her first game of Bingo. A few moments later, with a hand held high and a voice full of joy and surprise, she shouted the words everyone in the room wanted to say, but nobody wanted to hear.

After the sighs and groans of disappointment from other players had subsided, Miller held her smile and her Bingo card in the air as a Humana representative came to offer her choice of prizes. After careful consideration, she chose a fun-sized bag of Cheez-its.

“I don’t do it for the prize, I do it for the fun,” she said.

Miller was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. She stated loudly and proudly that she will be turning 90 in January. Apparently age has not affected her beautiful features and sharp wit.

“I have five children, 17 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren,” she bragged.

It may have been Miller’s first time playing Bingo for the day, but it was certainly not her first her first time around the board. Miller frequents Louisville’s St. Stevens Baptist Church every Tuesday and Thursday evening, where she and the self-proclaimed “Over-the-hill gang” like to polish their skills.

“There is a small group of us, every week we play,” she said.

Her group, gathered around her at the same table, nodded their heads in agreement and looked adoringly at their friend and champion. They had come out to celebrate “Senior Day” at the Fair where adults ages 55 and over pay only $1 for admission. Miller said she has been to the Fair many times before, including when she was very young, and still loves to walk around and see all of the exhibits and acts. 

“I come back as much as I can,” she said. “And believe it or not I still get around pretty good!”

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky used the Kentucky State Fair as its platform to reveal the next generation of its bestselling Camry sedan. Crowds of people lined South Wing B of the Kentucky Exposition Center to see the redesigned car as the white curtain dropped.  

The new hybrid car, which was built by more than 7,000 Kentuckians in its flagship Georgetown, Ky plant, is slated to get 43 miles to the gallon in city driving.

The 2012 Camry features new sheet metal, a roomier interior, revised suspension and more powerful — and frugal — engines.The new hybrid is targeted at the popular Ford Fusion hybrid and new hybrids from Hyundai and Kia. Among the standard features on all Camrys for 2012 are 10 standard airbags, including a front-passenger knee airbag and rear-seat side airbags; stability and traction control, and a “smart stop” brake-override system. A blind-spot monitor and an emergency-call system are extra-cost options.

Toyota officials said that gasoline models on sale Oct. 3, gas-electric hybrid, Oct. 27. Toyota also plans to offer a variety of entertainment and multimedia systems, as well as a standard Bluetooth wireless connection and a USB port with full iPod integration. Options include a rear back-up camera, navigation, HD radio and satellite radio. Also, Toyota’s new Entune multimedia system enables smartphone users to access entertainment and information services through the car, including such Web-based apps as Pandora and OpenTable.

Toyota said it has sold more than 15 million Camrys worldwide since the midsize sedan was introduced in 1983. The Camry has been the best-selling car in the U.S. for the past nine years.

Though Toyota only showcased the hybrid model at the Fair, the seventh-generation Camry is being offered in four trim levels, including entry-level Camry L, midlevel LE, premium XLE and sporty SE, while the 2012 Camry Hybrid comes in LE and XLE grades.

I am blue. I get walked all over. I work 12 hour days. And I sure do love my job!

I was not originally blue when I was made in the 1930’s, but I was painted that way later. Each day I run all day long, working the outer loop of Freedom Hall and the Kentucky Exposition Center during the Kentucky State Fair. In 25 minutes, I invite guests to experience the Fair in a 360 degree perspective.

I get by with a little help from my friend, John Deere tractor, who pulls me along each day and helps me to show folks around. I also get to hang with Jim and Wanda Armstrong. Jim is my driver, and a great one at that. He has loved driving the John Deere that pulls me around for 7 years now. His wonderful wife, Wanda, is my tour guide. She sits with me and announces all the stops where I get to say hello and goodbye to the guests who use my services.

All that can be seen, heard, smelled or felt at the Fair can be done on my route. Passing by Freedom Hall, the smoky smell of BBQ from the Q Tent fills the cracks in my wooden seats. When passing by Broadbent Arena, the thick scent of fresh hay and not-so-fresh “something else” linger from the stalls where the animals are kept. A little girl about age four shrieks with excitement as we pass a Holstein calf being lead through Parking Lot J to its trailer.

“Look mommy, that cow is in the parking lot!”

As we make our way past an empty Cardinal Stadium I think about how the thousands of empty seats will soon be packed for the free concert tonight. It is only 3 p.m. right now, and though the sun is beating down hard on the thighs of my passengers, but the cool breeze that comes as we move is refreshing and reviving, and my roof provides a nice shade.

We chug along, making our way toward the South Wings. We pass all kinds of people; many of them want to take a ride. I see young men trying to impress young women, couples holding hands while their other hand is clutching a half-eaten ice cream cone and a child asleep on their mother’s shoulder while she waits in line for a tasty treat. Two women sitting near my front are discussing how they have been to the Fair many times together, a lot when they were younger. They have been friends since before the twentysomething girl beside them was born, they say. She smiles.

“Here we are at South Wing,” Wanda calls out to the passengers. “You can do all the shopping you could ever imagine here in these wings!”

In the distance, I see a blurry Thrillway. The heat coming from the asphalt on the warm day make waves in my view of the Ferris Wheel, but it’s still a beautiful sight to see. I will do my best to make it over there and drop off the eager youngsters waiting for a thrill.

But first, I am going to wrap back around to Freedom Hall. I make a stop, honk to Freddy Farm Bureau, pick up some new passengers and start my journey again. Man it’s good to be a Tram.

The “weight” is over, and the results are in! Flaherty, Kentucky native Frank Mudd took home first place at the second annual Largest Pumpkin Contest today at the Kentucky State Fair.  

Mudd, who has been growing large pumpkins for 10 years, topped the scales with his pumpkin weighing in at 1,046 pounds. This giant began as a seed planted at Mudd’s home in Meade County on April 1st. With a whole lot of TLC and a little Bluegrass music, Mudd was able to surpass the goal of 1,000 pounds and received $1 per pound in prize money as well as the coveted trophy.

Dwight Slone received second place for his 996 pound pumpkin, hailing from Prestonsburg, Kentucky. Slone currently holds the record for the largest pumpkin grown in Kentucky to date.

Last year’s champion Jimmy Sowers will return home to Stanford, Kentucky with third place and his 759 pound pumpkin in tow.

John Thompson from Louisville received fourth place and Ernie Nichols of Pleasure Ridge Park received fifth.

For more information on the daily events at the 107^th Kentucky State Fair visit www.kystatefair.org.

Amidst the deep fried Kool-Aid and Krispy Kreme burgers, sandwiched between some talented pups and an armor of camouflage, you will find a band of pirates in the South Wing Parking Lot.  I wandered there expecting to see a high dive show, but what I found was an adventure. 

Sinbad invites you to accompany him on a journey to find the fabled Golden Pineapple. The crowd is quickly acquainted with an unusual band of gold-seekers from the quirky Joe to the daring Bobby and Sinbad’s monkey! And these pirates prove they have all the right moves in and out of the water as they pump up with crowd with some impressive trampoline tricks.

The show should come with instructions upon arrival, no blinking and you will be memorized. From synchronized diving to hand-stands, the crew performs impressive dives from two 12 foot boards before surfacing with unexpected treasures from the water below. And just when you think there couldn’t possibly be another dive you haven’t seen, two crew members plunge from a 15 foot platform together followed quickly by a mass dive of five different crew members leaving from variable heights at the same time!

When the crew docks at the island of Louisville, Kentucky a slap-stick comedy ensues as Sinbad attempts to clean up the ship and make repairs. When the mayhem subsides and the Golden Pineapple is still nowhere in sight, Sinbad looks to the audience for advice on what to do. The crowd enthusiastically points to the 80 foot platform and begins chanting for the climatic dive. Crew member Bobby exceeds expectations when he not only climbs to the top, but performs a difficult dive before plunging to the water below. Imagine traveling 55 miles per hour down the highway and having nine and a half feet to come to a complete stop. Did he survive the plummet and recover the treasure?

Well that’s for me to know and you to find out. This cast of colorful characters couldn’t agree on just ONE reason you should come out to the Kentucky State Fair and see their show. So whether it’s the “great looking bunch of pirates” or the self-proclaimed “awesome flying monkey” that draws you to the Sinbad High Dive Show, you are sure to be entertained from the moment you get there!

Catch this spectacular show daily at 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.