One Week To Go
Posted at 5:38 AM on August 21, 2009
by Dale Connelly
(29 Comments)
Our first-ever Radio Heartland live show at the Minnesota State Fair is one week from today. And while I say "first-ever", I recognize that what we're doing will feel very much like a continuation of the 17 year long tradition of live Morning Shows from the MPR booth. If it feels familiar, that's on purpose.
The fair is all about familiarity, and I see no reason to stray too far from a successful formula.
The similarities? Same location. Same musical style. Same "Where's Eric" game. Same audience (I hope).
The differences? No pirates. No mad food scientists. Later time. One hour less. Half the number of hosts. More people on the grounds.
True, we're giving up a lot, but for those (myself included) who thought last December that we would never get to spend time together at the fair ever again, this is an acceptable compromise.
My musical guests will be the funny and fair-savvy Ann Reed, an excellent and energetic trio called BoJoNo, and a very rootsy and multi-faceted duo, The Ditchlilies.
The "Where's Eric" cast is intact, including the stuffed decoys, Farmer Eric, Fair Fanatic Eric and Security Eric.
Eric Ringham now works for MPR as Commentary Editor for our new website MPRNewsQ. That means now we can both convince ourselves that the fun we're having is really "work". Toward that end, he and I visited the fairgrounds earlier this week and chose some hiding places. We have streamlined the game and tightened the deadlines to fit it into our two-hour time slot. And we're introducing a real-world merit adjustment into the structure, allowing for Ochen Kaylan and Leslie Ball's exceptional performance last year. Simply put, they were so good, they must be severely punished with a more difficult challenge.
That's the way it goes, kiddoes. Bothered by the ingratitude? Forward your complaints to the 20 thousand very smart and engaging Chinese Phd's clamoring to do your job online for half the price. And considering that we don't pay you to begin with, that's saying something.
In 120 minutes, Ochen and Leslie will search for two Little Erics and the Real Eric. They'll have to find at least one of the tiny ones and the genuine article to be declared winners of the game.
The will receive only five clues for each of the three fugitives and will have just 40 minutes to succeed before having to move on to the next target. That means the last third of the show is a guaranteed nail-biter as Ochen and Leslie attempt to locate Mr. Ringham before time runs out at 11 a.m..
Here he is, squeezed into a since-rejected fairgrounds hideaway.
And there's one more thing. That third Little Eric. He is an audience-only challenge.
That's right, next Friday morning we'll reveal five clues to the whereabouts of the third Eric, and if someone from our audience finds him, they'll assist Ochen and Leslie during the final frantic forty minute push to find the Real Eric.
Complicated? Yes!
But if we can do this, Universal Health Care will be a cinch!
All that remains is to set out the right number of chairs.
So ... who is planning to come to the show?
Comments (29)
I just bought my fair tickets yesterday! I'm doing one day all by myself this year - doing exactly what I like to do (Pet Center, Butter Heads, jams/jellies, quilts and dioramas made by 4th graders)and not having to share the day with anybody else. Oh, and the two hours at the MPR booth! I can't wait.
I still have the template for the goat pins on my computer. Shall I make a few more to pass around?
Have a great day Heartlanders!
me, me.
I've requested vacation and will be therre.
Can hardly wait.
I am, after all very invested in 17 years of your broadcasts from the Fair. I am the person who phoned in suggestions for Ann Reed's first and best Fair song. I still remember telling Jim Ed that Ann should include Butterheads and Crop Art in the song. My son has pointed out on a number of occasions that I should publish something else or accomplish more so that the butterhead contribution is not the peak of my contribution to the world's culture.
Dale, thanks for all you're doing to make sure that "Our State Fair is a Great State Fair."
we'll be streaming from 9 to 11 next friday to catch every detail of the game, the interviews, and the great music! we'll be there in spirit and seeing all the friendly goat pin wearers in our imaginations. if i attended, i wouldn't need a pin - the aroma in the Gentlemens' Club is getting quite strong - breeding season is beginning - and anyone could probably just take a whiff and know who it is!
I'm still not sure if I willmake the trip to the fair for the show. I don't attend the state fair very often. I certainly would like to be there to see the show and meet some of the other people who make comments on this blog.
Hey Jim -- if you decide to make it, look for me.. I'll have a goat pin for you! I understand that the fair isn't everybody's cup of tea. In fact, as much as I love the fair (I grew up in St. Louis, so we never traveled to the MO state fair since it was the middle of the state), there are parts I never even think of doing. I never go to the midway as the rides make my stomach queasy and I don't need a goldfish or a big blue stuff animal. And I almost never check out the grandstand, as I'm too prone to buying kitchen gadgets!
I plan to be there rain or shine. Shine is looking more likely, according to the forecast I've seen. Sherilee, I still have my goat pin that you gave me in March, so I'm all set in that regard...and thanks for the reminder that I need to buy my ticket soon.
Thanks for the commitments so far, Sherrilee and Beth-Ann. We'll miss you Barb, but I plan to visit the goat barn in your honor. And Jim, if it helps any, the MPR booth is not far from the Como Avenue entrance, so you can get in and out without too much exposure to the Fair.
We are surrounded by a cloud of pork chop smoke, however. That's unavoidable.
I'll be there! Like Sherrilee, I'm so excited for my solo day at the fair. I think I'm going to try to ride my bike this year, since we're only about 3 miles down Snelling. Maybe I'll even get there early enough for pancakes at the Salem diner. I don't know what ever happened to my goat pin from the March concert, but I'll be the one in a Captain America t-shirt. Sort of a Nephew Thomas/Captain Billy homage, perhaps.
Is anyone going back on the 2nd or 3rd for Storyhill at Heritage Square?
Yay!!! It's State Fair time!
I take the week off every year and go to the Fair at least 3 times! My co-workers think I'm nuts.
Bill's work does a Fair Day on Sat 8/29 $5 for tickets & T-shirts. I'm wearing my T-shirt today
it's very cool,lime green with square shaped spotted cows and it says spotted at the fair.
Friday will be our first day and I can hardly wait.....there will be 4 of us Dale!
Sherrilee, I would Love a goat pin!
Did I say I'm excited!!!
Well, now I am leaning more toward coming to the fair. How could I pass up sherrilee's offer of a goat pin? I don't dislike fairs, so I will not need to get in and out fast. However, I do appreciate your directions to the location of the show, Dale. I guess I could put up with the cloud of pork chop smoke.
If I come I will also be spending some time at the place where there is free international music. Katy McMahon will be playing there and my son-in-law, Zack Kline, will be playing the fiddle in her band. I think I remember that Katy was on one of the Morning Show programs at the fair a number of years ago and Zack has been on Radio Heartland as part of The Orange Mighty Trio.
Lora, I'm hoping to catch Storyhill too - probably on the 2nd. My recollection is that there is deep-fried cauliflower nearby, so you might spot me there.
Is it a peculiar characteristic of Trial Ballooners that we like to go to the Fair solo?
Having just started a new job, I don't have the vacation time to take so I can see the first RH show at the fair. I am sad. I will have to settle for streaming (or an archive of the show if it will get archived like the regular weekly DC shows....oh please?). Drat that pesky employment...
RSVP: I will attend. Unsure if you will recognize me again this year? I'll be the one holding something on a stick (!)
Good Morning!
I'm not sure if I can get off work and since I can't get the show at work I would only be there in spirit. I suppose I can listen to the steam later and live that portion of my life in the past. I just came across the goat pin from the Duos show but the sticky on the back has departed.
If I am able to take the time off, arriving by bike is pretty likely just like it is for most places I go. Let's just hope that Mother Nature is getting all the rain out of her system now so we can have lovely sunny weather for the fair! In the mean time, I'm thinking of building an ark. Perhaps Dale & Mike can dig up the Randy Newman song about the rain washing away New Orleans, is it called Louisiana?
Have a Fabulous Friday!
Good Morning Dale,
Please set up a chair for me. I think I will go by myself too, I like the independence!
I gave "Gopher Fans Raggedy Ann & Andy" a ride to the Creative Activities building last Monday, they should be in a display case somewhere in the building. I'm sure they would like visitors so check them out!
Here's a question for you Dale....
Will you be able to check the blog and comment on it next Friday? That might keep the Heartlanders who can't make it to the Fair in the loop.....
i will be there. bringing a couple of daughters who are very fair savvy for their young ages. barns, art,baby animals, quilts, stick stuff, life doesn't get any better than this. they may have been to the show in their extreme munchkin stages but 6am was tough with the little ones.i think we only made it twice.(i've got those bathtub dancing college students) that take me back to 20 some years of kids to the fairs. i've got 10 or so more to go, then i imagine grandkids will factor in.i should be good for life.
looking forward to ann and eric and the new talent and especially to meet the blogging regulars. i will check out the goat pin action, sounds like a winner. set up 3 chairs for emma ,olivia and me. see you on friday.
Greetings Heartlanders! I'm certainly hoping to get to the Fair this year. Only been there a couple times -- always meant to go see The Morning Show, but didn't -- (sigh).
I have Jury Duty next week, so I'm not sure which days I'll be in jury or not. Trying to convince my husband we should all go for my RH addiction.
Sherilee, I would love a Goat Pin! I'll probably wear something to identify myself as an RH blogger. I really hope to see you folks there! I'm tempted to go alone, but I hate driving there. Dale, I think we're loners at the Fair because we're independent and family members don't always share our passion for RH!
Count me in! I'm taking vacation, too, and will be doing the fair by myself that day as well. Sherrilee, I'd love to have a goat pin!
I better start working on the goat pins now!
Mark -- hope you can get the day off.
Bwa-haw-haw Bo-hoo-hoo Sniff, sniff : (
Two months ago I requested Friday, Aug 28th, off so I could for once in my life be at the Fair during the Morning Show, I mean Radio Heartland. My request came back, stamped: DENIED!
Heavy sigh. Muttering. More sniffing. Sadness.
I will be listening, as usual. Maybe next year.
I'd love to be there, but next week is vacation week "up north." Unfortunately I never was there for any of the Morning Show broadcasts either.
I'm going to miss listening live to the show all week as there is no internet access. However, I'll likely catch up using the archived shows - thanks for making those available.
My wife and I will be there, Chief. Although it just won't be the same getting up at 4am, getting an incredible parking spot, getting in before the doors actually opened, getting a front row seat, hearing the supply trucks roll by, and having the sun come up around us. Ah well...
I'm not sure yet when I can get to the fair, though I do plan on going this year. I'll try for Friaday, a chair would be much appreciated! The RH show and RH crowd would be a bonus!
Dale (and others who are looking for goats at the fair) on Friday Aug. 28 the 4H Dairy and Market Goats will be in the Swine Barn.
the Open Class Dairy Goats are in the Sheep Barn (go figure, there's no Goat Barn!) Sept. 4 - 7.
I have to work a few shifts at the fair, but unfortunately didn't draw the 28th. I'm working on the 3rd, and I'm hoping to catch Storyhill if their performance is before my shift, after my shift, or if I can strategically plan a break.
I'll be there!
I am looking forward to making the show. It will be a very different fair experience for me. My spouse will be in Guatemala. I will just have to be there on my own.
Kate from Eden Prairie,
That's a good question - will I have access to the blog?
I'm not entirely sure, since our technical plan is still being written.
I expect to be sitting on our "stage" for the whole two hours and my only opportunity to add comments would be while the musicians are playing. That would be rude, I think, for me to sit there tippy-tapping just a few feet away while Ann, the Ditchlilies and BoJoNo are hard at work. Maybe the solution is for someone else to "live blog" the event from a respectful distance. I'll check into it - thanks for the suggestion.
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