Live from the State Fair

That's how I would describe my performance at the baked potato eating contest today.

How it all ended up going down was we had one cheesy potato that we had to eat the fastest, not as many potatoes in a given time as I had hypothesized. I was up against a couple people from Milwaukee Magazine, two State Fair head honchos, a radio guy and the weatherman from Channel 4.

The weatherman, who I sat next to, ended up winning. I came in somewhere in the middle of the pack but was not impressed with my performance.

Before it started we had to say a few words about what we know about potatoes. I made up something about how my parents and grandparents were potato farmers because I couldn't think of anything else.

Check out this video of the event so you can see me make a fool of myself.

That seems like a good post to wrap up the live blog. Look for more State Fair coverage in the print and online editions of the newspaper next Thursday.

Until then.

Which is a good thing because I am awfully hungry.

I have yet to determine a strategy to a victory and I'm not the world's greatest eater. But I do know that I will do anything - and I mean, an-nee-thing - to win.

I'm also really hoping they have all the dressings because it will go down a lot smoother. Give me some bacon bits, some sour cream, some shredded cheese.

There may also be some online video of the event for the Web site either later tonight or tomorrow, so watch for that.

I'm heading over to the Wisconsin Products Pavillion right now to win me a potato contest.

Well, sort of. As promised, the long-time West Allis restaurant that closed up shop in June is back at State Fair working under "Mo-Joe's Pizza."

They're located on the corner of "Dairy Lane" and "Benno's Micro Alley." Mo-Joe's workers are also staffing a beer tent next door.

Like other vendors I've talked to, business at Mo-Joe's has been steady for the most part and expected to pick up as we reach the evening hours.

It's cooled off quite a bit out here as clouds have rolled in. They didn't come a moment too soon. 

Almost as interesting as what goes on inside the fairgrounds is the scene in the surrounding area, as any West Allis resident can attest.

All along 84th Street, Greenfield Avenue and other nearby streets are people trying to make a buck. For many it's charging for lawn parking, for others it's selling an assortment of goodies (water, etc).

The tradition is at least 80 years old, according to State Fair Historian Jerry Zimmerman, who has attended all but one fair his 80 years as a West Allis resident.

But two men today, "Brother Ken" and "Brother Sam," were selling something else: Jesus.

From a Milwaukee business called Emmanuel's Vending, the pair were set up on the corner of 84th and Greenfield selling pop, chips and chocolates while taking advantage of the large crowds to get their message out.  

They told me that people were responsive to what they had to say and always try to get out to large events like this one.

I'm heading out to work on a separate story assignment, but I'll be back to recap that and provide some pre-game analysis of the much-hyped (by me, mostly) baked potato eating contest later this afternoon.

-As to be expected on a Thursday afternoon, there's not much of a wait for the rides out on the midway.

-The countdown is at 3+ hours until the baked potato eating contest. I'm curious to know who the other media participants are. I've already seen Gary Ellerson from the Gary and Cliff Show, and if I have to go against him, I can still win but I'll probably have to do something illegal.

-The Budweiser Pavillion is showing the Brewers-Cubs game on a few big-screen TVs, and perhaps not surprisingly, the crowd there is pretty thin. Can't say I blame people for passing that up...

-What, no mention of cream puffs yet on this State Fair blog? I may get there yet, so hang tight.

A couple hours into the fair, the New Berlin Lions Club's corn on the cobb sale is off to a good start, volunteers say.

I spoke to members of the New Berlin Eisenhower High School orchestra who were helping staff the event. Many local organizations get involved with the sale as a fundraiser and last year alone they sold 95,000 ears of corn.

Business has been good to start but they were hoping it would pick up as the afternoon rolls along.

On the weather...it may be a little warmer than I first thought. I worked up a pretty good sweat just walking around and I've already seen an ambulance go down Grandstand Avenue with its sirens on.

Most of the emergency calls here are weather-related, so that is more than likely the case. Remember, kids: don't be shy on the H2O.

I saw my first celebrity of the fair - Ronald McDonald, who was riding shotgun in a golf cart. I waved to him, and he even waved back!!!!

I had a little technical difficulties but they should be resolved now. I'm now in the West Allis NOW headquarters inside State Fair (otherwise known as the Journal Communications building).

What a gorgeous day for an opener, even if it is a bit warm. State Fairs have been notorious for some hot days, what with it going on the first week in August and all, but this is nothing compared to the 100-degree days we've seen in the past.

Crew members for REO Speedwagon are setting up their stage near the grandstand as we speak (yeah, I was suprised REO Speedwagon was still around too). They go on at 8 p.m., but there's plenty of other bar cover bands around the fairgrounds playing as we speak to keep the music fans' heads' bobbing.

There will be a slight delay in postings, so consider this an open thread.

I'd be interested to hear any State Fair memories. I'm told that pigs have been a favorite for some of my readers, and I'd be interested to hear specifics.

The 5:00 hour is shaping up to be a big one. Not only will I be stomping out the competition at the baked potato eating contest, but Ramon Sessions and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute of the Bucks will be making an appearance at the Miller Lite Sports Bar & Grill.

In the meantime, I'll search for a State Fair equivalent of Sessions - an unheralded late addition that is probably better than 85% of what's already there. Any suggestions?

Anyone that has tried to get home from work using the freeway system the last three days knows the extent of which Cubs fans have been slowing our commute. Today could actually be worse with the fair kicking off and the Brewers and Cubs playing a 1:05 p.m. game.

I would avoid using the freeways if possible. May I suggest taking Lincoln or Wisconsin avenues (depending on where you live) to 76th Street?

Opening ceremonies are underway at the Cousins Subs amphitheater. Speakers include Gov. Jim Doyle and our very own Mayor Dan Devine.

Devine told me that in his four years as Milwaukee County Supervisor he had watched from the crowd as then-Mayor Jeanette Bell said a few words as the fair got underway. He said it would be a weird feeling being up on stage this time, but he's a pretty good public speaker so I think he'll do just fine.

Welcome to my live blog of opening day at the 2008 Wisconsin State Fair. The party should be getting started sometime around 10 a.m. with the opening ceremonies. For most of the day I'll be walking around inside and outside the fairgrounds, chatting to people and providing some "snapshots" of the 157th State Fair.

Then at 5 p.m. I'll be joining some other media members in a baked potato eating contest. That's right.

So blow off work and follow along as I chronicle the fair's first day.