One of the highlights of my social season (such as it is) is the Northern Alliance Radio Network’s broadcasts from the MN State Fair. We always do two Saturdays (in and among a few weeknights here and there), and it’s always a blast.
And this year, I have a camera (sorta)!
Walking onto the fairgrounds this year (Dan Patch just west of Cosgrove), there was a new addition – O’Gara’s has built a big honkin’ Irish pub next door to our lot!
Complete with bagpiper!
Piper in front of O'Gara's.
Nothing for great radio like bagpipes in the background! You can take mah acoustic isolation, but ye canna take mah freedom!
When I get there, Hugh Hewitt was relaxing, getting ready to go on the air with John Hinderaker and Brian Ward:
Hugh Hewitt
They chatted politics for a bit…
John Hinderaker with Hugh Hewitt
…although for the most part they just bagged on Hugh’s producer, Duane “Generalissimo” Patterson…
Duane "Sheep Terminator" Patterson
Who had, for the first time in the 153 year history of the MN State Fair, killed a sheep in a shearing contest.
In the meantime, Brian “Saint Paul” Ward got things organized for the highlight of every single years’ NARN1 broadcast – the Scotch Egg eating contest. Of which more later.
Brian "Saint Paul" Ward
Ed Morrissey showed impeccably bad timing by arriving just as Brian was looking for the mandatory fifth contestant to make the quorum required by the International Scotch Egg Sports Federation.
(Me? I begged off claiming illness. I wasn’t lying; I would have gotten sick if I’d had to bolt down a Scotch Egg. It woulda sat in my stomach for the next two hours in the sun like a remorseless lurking assassin).
Not afraid of getting sick was Atomizer, one-time co-host of the NARN (no, literally; one time. He sat in for the first segment of our first show, back in 2004. And never again) and coblogger at Fraters Libertas, whose stomach and liver make Shane McGowan look like Mother Theresa.
Breakfast of Champions: Atomizer with a cigarette, a Guinness and a Scotch Egg.
Finally, Saint got a quorum together – Duane, Ed and three other contestants:
The human drama of athletic competition...
Brian had a quick chat with Lindsey, who’s represented the Scotch Egg vendor for seven straight competitions now…
Brian and Lindsay
…and, finally, launched the big event:
We're off!
After a hard-fought battle at near-record speed, we had a winner!
Winner! One of the contestants - I'm not naming names - walked behind the booth and launched right after the contest.
The NARN1 guys wrapped up after that, as I wandered about. I got to chat with Kate…
Kate, the Marketing and Promotions person. And, at the fair, just about everything else.
…the person who actually makes the NARN broadcasts at the fair work, and of course the folks in the Merch booth…:
The Merch booth. That's Kirsten, who normally sells air time (and could sell a Harley to Tim Gunn), but was doing a brisk trade, especially in "Nobama" T-shirts.
…who make it profitable!
And then it was the top of the hour, and NARN2’s turn. John and Brian left, and I set up on the “Dave’s Floor Sanding Broadcast Deck”.
My view from the host's chair
Ed, too:
Ed
We interviewed Pat Anderson…:
Me, Pat Anderson, and Ed.
…and Tom Emmer…:
Emmer with Ed.
They both drew a crowd…:
Spectators during the Emmer interview
Emmer and Ed on stage. I'm out in the crowd with the wireless microphone, getting questions.
More next week. And maybe a tour of the fair itself…
If it’s nae Scot’s it’s crap! BTW, I still have that goofy wet nap you gave me couple years ago. I keep it next to the foul ball I caught off Delmon Young down in Fort Myers. Good times…
We had planned on going on Saturday, but it was just too darn hot. Se we decided to wait til the evening, and it was just too darn hot. Next Sat, barring rain, I’ll swing by and listen to you for a bit. It won’t be too long tho, because I’ll have along with me an 8yo enjoying the first state fair she can remember. She won’t want to sit and listen to “daddy’s boring talk radio” for too long.
I’ll try and stop by to intimidate you next week 🙂
I have a Vikings tail gating buddy that moved here from the UK several years ago and his Scotch eggs are awesome, especially early on a cold December morning. Ahhhh! Sucking down a Schell’s Pils and eating a hot Scotch egg. Life doesn’t get any better.
It should be noted that while Atomizer was washing his Scotch egg down with a heater and a Guiness, the winner not only choked his down dry, but he was forced to pick up a large piece up off the ground and bolt it down.
To be the man, you have to beat the man!