As our own Mower County Fair is winds down Sunday, our thoughts will turn to another great fair: The Minnesota State Fair.

Living in rural America gives us a great opportunity to show off and exhibit what there is to offer.

Coming from a former 4-H family myself,  we are carrying on that interest in our grandchildren.  These grandkids come from Wisconsin and Shoreview, Minn., to spend time with grandpa and grandma at our local fair.

The main focus is the animal and rabbit barns. Each family has started their own rabbit projects and continues to stay involved in their local 4-H club. The grandkids also took great interest in the llama judging a couple of weeks ago.

We will once again take a motor coach to the Minnesota State Fair on Senior Day which is Aug. 30. We will leave at 7:30 a.m. and return about 6 p.m. We offer this trip annually with the convenience of not having to drive or find parking at the fair.  This makes an easy access to the grounds.

We will visit the 4-H building, educational buildings, outdoor music and hundreds of food stands. Those warm chocolate cookies still hit the spot, as do the fresh French fries. The flower building and ladies building features outstanding quilts and handy work.

We always make a stop in the ag building to watch the newest princess sitting in a cooler having her image being carved out of butter.

Sign-ups are open to all ages, as you do not have to be a member to join us on this trip. We continue to depart from the southwest corner of Walmart. Call 507-438-3946 for more information.

Another Midwest event scheduled for this fall is a one-day trip to Warrens, Wis., on Friday, Sept. 28, for the 40th annual Cranberry Fest.

Warrens is a small town and will play host to over 350 flea market booths, over 850 crafts and arts booths, and more than 100 farmers’ market vendors. Food courts include everything from cranberry cream puffs  to chocolate covered cheesecake on a stick.  There will be music, Amish food, entertainment, church stands, kloggers and many other venues to visit.

A one-hour tour of the cranberry marsh will be available. The cost is $6 if you take the tour on your own. A local grower will board a local bus and take those interested around the fields where we will watch as they harvest and truck the cranberries to the Ocean Spray plant for cleaning and sorting.

There will be many cranberry items for sale including wine, candies, fresh cranberries, recipes and many other items.

Some changes have been made to make this trip more accommodating.  We plan an earlier departure of 7 a.m. and a later return time between 7:30 and 8 p.m.  The cost will be $39 with a 30-person minimum. The fee is due Sept. 11. This tour has not been offered for several years, so if this is your interest, this will be the year to  join us.  Plan to be overwhelmed and have a great time.

Our August newsletter is now available.  Membership letters have been sent. You can pick up a full schedule of travel activity plus happenings at the Mower County Senior Center.  Mailing address for travel is 1002 16th St. SW, Austin, MN  55912.