The Great MeFi Get Together
posted August 10, 2017 7:09 PM   RSS | iCal | +googleCal

Wed August 30 at 4:30 PM, Minnesota State Fairgrounds, Creative Activities Building
1292 Cosgrove St, Falcon Heights, MN, USA (Map & Directions)
It's been a couple years since the last meetup at the Minnesota State Fair, and who doesn't like crop art and things on sticks?
This year's dates: August 24 through September 4

New things to do
New things to eat
Grandstand shows
Music on a Stick lineup
posted by Flannery Culp to Meetup (52 comments total)

Yes! This sounds fun! I'm thinking of taking off the 30th, 31st and maybe the 1st, so those could work. A weekend could also work, though it's of course more crowded. But I'll go any time! Love the state fair!
posted by triggerfinger at 6:47 AM on August 11, 2017


Great idea! I'm planning to be there wandering around meetup-or-no on the 25th. I'd happily go back for a weekend meetup too.
posted by paper chromatographologist at 7:22 AM on August 11, 2017


I'm working my employer's booth on the morning of the 27th, so I'll be available for wandering that afternoon, definitely. Am open to other dates, although I'll be out of town the 1st through the 4th.
posted by heurtebise at 9:25 AM on August 11, 2017


I'd be up for this! I love the fair.
posted by Autumnheart at 12:40 PM on August 11, 2017


The 24th is out for me. Not sure if I will be able to take off during the week, but evenings and both weekends should be OK.
posted by Flannery Culp at 4:37 PM on August 11, 2017


I can take off during most weekdays except the 31st. Looking forward to it!
posted by a car full of lions at 12:09 PM on August 13, 2017


George Clinton Sat., Aug. 26 - Sun., Aug. 27 8:30 p.m. on the Leinie Lodge stage.
posted by Mental Wimp at 8:15 AM on August 14, 2017 [3 favorites]


I can't take a full day off but would love to meet up on a weekday afternoon! My vote is the 30th but others could work.

Foods I am most interested in:
Sara's Tipsy Pies
Double Does of Pork Belly
Duck Bacon Wontons
1 or several pilsners to wash it all down

If someone orders the deep fried avocado I want to see it.
posted by Emmy Rae at 11:13 AM on August 15, 2017


I was just coming to post about the George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic concert. And it's free!
posted by Flannery Culp at 7:49 PM on August 15, 2017


Suddenly the week of the 28th is bad for me for work reasons, but it seems like the first half of the fair is generally better for people, so if you guys want to do a weekday meetup I could catch up after work. Monday the 28th is probably fine but after that things get crazy.

Proposed dates so far: 8/25 (Friday), 8/27 (Sunday), 8/28 (Monday), 8/30 (Wednesday).
I suspect Sunday 8/27 will be insanely busy. Friday looks like the nicest weather day, as far as a week-out forecast can be trusted.
posted by Flannery Culp at 6:05 AM on August 18, 2017


I'm cool with almost all those but I gotta be honest, I'm not willing to take on the fair on a weekend. Thanks for organizing, Flannery!
posted by Emmy Rae at 2:14 PM on August 18, 2017


I'm with you, the first weekend especially is usually packed. Is Friday too weekend-adjacent? I'm leaning toward either that or Monday the 28th.
posted by Flannery Culp at 2:32 PM on August 18, 2017


Ooh, my first Mpls meet up. I'm interested and open, except labor day weekend!
posted by Mystical Listicle at 8:05 AM on August 19, 2017


All right, I tentatively went with next Wednesday afternoon (8/30) to get the event on the main IRL page. I feel lucky about being able to leave early that day. Let me know what y'all think.
posted by Flannery Culp at 11:20 AM on August 20, 2017


I'm off that day so it works for me! I could also do a weekend day if anyone would like. We could also go in the afternoon and perhaps some people may be able to come after work?
posted by triggerfinger at 7:22 PM on August 20, 2017


Hmm, Wednesday afternoon does not seem popular. I am willing to reconsider weekends if it will increase turnout. There are off-and-on thunderstorms in the forecast this weekend but other than Saturday night the overall chance of precipitation is only about 60%. Might help bring down the crowds and we could always hang out in the horticulture building and look at the crop art until it passes.
posted by Flannery Culp at 5:40 AM on August 24, 2017


Hm, maybe late afternoon one day that week, and then people could join after work? Might be hard for folks to get there at noon? Just a thought.
posted by Mystical Listicle at 2:16 PM on August 25, 2017


Noon was kind of a placeholder time anyway. How does later that day work?
posted by Flannery Culp at 6:48 PM on August 25, 2017


Oh man, I always forget to check these IRL pages for updates. I'm going with a friend tomorrow, but I can also show up for the meetup on Wednesday, or any other day except the 31st.
posted by a car full of lions at 2:54 PM on August 28, 2017


If Wednesday afternoon/evening doesn't work we could plan for this weekend. Or both! The more fried food, the merrier.
posted by Flannery Culp at 4:15 PM on August 28, 2017


I don't know if I'll be able to make it to a meetup this year, but I'll be at the Pro Choice Resources booth in the grandstand on September 2nd from 5pm - 9pm. Say hello, and if you ask me what I have in my bag, I can give you a condom on a stick! (we can't have the condoms out anymore. Or visible. Or have a sign saying you should ask for one.)

If you're going to the fair at some other time, you should still visit and get some pins and maybe a condom or some candy. There's also CONDOM PUSHER tote bags this year, you know, for grocery shopping.
posted by dinty_moore at 6:57 PM on August 28, 2017 [1 favorite]


I'll be at the fair around 4:30 tomorrow! Where/how do we meet?
posted by Emmy Rae at 12:38 PM on August 29, 2017


I can be there at 4!
posted by Mystical Listicle at 1:42 PM on August 29, 2017


THE LLAMA COSTUME CONTEST IS AT 6 ON WEDNESDAY!

We'll be there for that at least.
posted by advicepig at 2:17 PM on August 29, 2017 [1 favorite]


I can be there tomorrow at any time!
posted by triggerfinger at 4:01 PM on August 29, 2017


People dressed as llamas, or llamas in costumes? Or both? Either way I approve.

I'm still waiting to hear if I can leave work early tomorrow (my job is flexible until it isn't, sigh). For now I'll plan to be there around 4:00 also. Are people driving or busing? Either the Blue Barn near the main transit area or the Creative Activities building just inside the main Snelling entrance would be a good meeting place.
posted by Flannery Culp at 4:04 PM on August 29, 2017


I can be there any time too! I guess 4 pm is the "any" time.

I'll be biking from Minneapolis, so the transit area on the west side works better for me, but NBD.
posted by a car full of lions at 4:36 PM on August 29, 2017


Also, OMG llama costume contest!
posted by a car full of lions at 4:38 PM on August 29, 2017 [1 favorite]


Consider me a verified maybe for 4:30pm Wednesday.
posted by paper chromatographologist at 4:57 PM on August 29, 2017


4:30 at the Creative Activities building? At or in?

I am a nondescript white lady and I will be wearing a blue sleeveless collared dress and possibly a jean shirt over it if I am cold. I carry a light green backpack.
posted by Emmy Rae at 7:02 PM on August 29, 2017


Let's say 4:30 out front of Creative Activities. I am a short white woman with curly hair and will be wearing either a blue polkadot jacket if it's raining or a circle-patterned shirt in kind of Metafilter-y blue/green if it's not. If work interferes and I end up running late I'll try to post an update here.
posted by Flannery Culp at 7:37 PM on August 29, 2017


Today is Read and Ride Day, show your library card at the gate for $2 off your ticket.
posted by Flannery Culp at 10:08 AM on August 30, 2017 [1 favorite]


I'll try to get there a bit early (have to leave by 6), so between 4 and 4:30 outside Creative Activities. White lady, blue baseball cap, yellow backpack. Read and ride!
posted by Mystical Listicle at 12:10 PM on August 30, 2017


On the bus now, be there shortly
posted by Flannery Culp at 2:15 PM on August 30, 2017


I just got here and didn't see anyone I recognized. I'll check back in 10-15 minutes! I'm in a red striped shirt and my face is on my profile page.
posted by a car full of lions at 2:20 PM on August 30, 2017


On my way!
posted by triggerfinger at 2:23 PM on August 30, 2017


Just pulling up on the A line. See you in a few
posted by Emmy Rae at 2:31 PM on August 30, 2017


I'm here. 6'3" guy in black hat.
posted by paper chromatographologist at 2:34 PM on August 30, 2017


Here!
posted by Mystical Listicle at 2:35 PM on August 30, 2017


Just waiting to buy a ticket at Snelling gate. Right outside!
posted by triggerfinger at 2:39 PM on August 30, 2017


Made it! In the ticket line now.
posted by Flannery Culp at 2:41 PM on August 30, 2017


Running late, on the shuttle bus. Should be at the snelling gate in 15 minutes or so. I'm 6'1" with a goatee, wearing a purple shirt. Don't stay put on my account, I can come find you. 715.690.1112 is my cell.
posted by yuwtze at 3:11 PM on August 30, 2017


Made it! Anyone here still checking this thread?
posted by yuwtze at 3:36 PM on August 30, 2017


I guess not. But you have to admit "show up an hour late, unannounced, and hope to bump into people you've met twice in a crowd of 100,000+, spread over 320 acres" is pretty flawless as plans go...
posted by yuwtze at 4:32 PM on August 30, 2017 [1 favorite]


Yuwtze, are you still here? Where?
posted by paper chromatographologist at 4:43 PM on August 30, 2017


We are headed toward the fine arts building.
posted by Flannery Culp at 4:45 PM on August 30, 2017


Heading that way now.
posted by yuwtze at 5:04 PM on August 30, 2017


This was fun! Thanks for organizing, FC!
posted by a car full of lions at 7:34 PM on August 30, 2017


Yes, thank you! Don't worry, my Lyft and I found each other.
posted by Emmy Rae at 7:48 PM on August 30, 2017


Good to hear! Thanks everyone for coming.
posted by Flannery Culp at 8:05 PM on August 30, 2017


Alpaca v. llama: true facts

For anyone who couldn't make a midweek meetup but is still interested, I could be convinced to go again, maybe Friday evening or early on Saturday before it gets stupid crowded - post here or MeMail me.
posted by Flannery Culp at 11:13 AM on August 31, 2017 [1 favorite]


Alpaca v. llama: true facts

LOOOVE this! :D

Thanks again for organizing! It was really good to see everyone again and fun to meet new people! The llama costume contest was definitely a highlight!
posted by triggerfinger at 7:18 PM on September 2, 2017



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