<a rel="attachment wp-att-2407" href="http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/tulsa-state-fair-things-youre-guaranteed-to-see/dsc07278/"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-2407" title="Tulsa State Fair" src="http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DSC07278-500x375.jpg" alt="Tulsa State Fair" width="500" height="375" /></a>

A lot of things have been said about <a href="http://www.tulsastatefair.com/">The Tulsa State Fair</a>.
<ul>
	<li>First, it's huge. 240 acres, to be exact.</li>
	<li>Second, between music and entertainment and exhibits and rides and food, there's a lot going on, and a huge variety of things going on besides. While compartmentalized and well organized, it still reminds me of what I imagine it'd be like to be stuck inside an toddler's head after a meal of Fun Dip and Mountain Dew with a Pixie sticks chaser.</li>
	<li>The Tulsa State Fair draws all kinds of folks. And by all kinds, I mean <em>all kinds</em>. It's people watching at its very best.</li>
</ul>
For these reasons, it's easy to go to the fair and not see everything, even if you go twice or three times or even more. But if you keep your eyes open when you hit the fair during its opening weekend (which starts tomorrow, Sept. 30, by the way), you're guaranteed to see the following things.

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<strong>A Golden Driller made of cheese</strong>. The nationally recognized cheese sculptor, <a href="http://www.sarahcheeselady.com/">Sarah "The Cheese Lady,"</a> will carve the Tulsa icon out of 640 pounds of cheese at this year's Tulsa State Fair.

That poundage is equal to what a scale would read if about 20 kids from my two-year-old son's preschool class were to step on one at the same time. Or, roughly 6.5 University of Tulsa cheerleaders. Or, 1.27 <a href="http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/04/fat-guys-burger-bar-everything-youve/">challenge burgers from Fat Guy's Burger Bar</a>.

Mmm...15 slices of bacon. Me hungry.

Check Sarah out as she does her cheese-carving thing in the QuikTrip Center's lower level Thurs., Sept. 30, through Thurs., Oct. 7 from 10am-5pm.

<strong>Scrunchies</strong>. Like I said before, the Tulsa State Fair draws all kinds, and that includes those who still have and use those fabric tube-covered hair ties left over from 1993. Don't be alarmed - while frilly and often obnoxiously hued, scrunchies are not contagious.

<strong>Tulsa's largest sandbox</strong>. We're talking a playground-sized sandbox here, folks, and it's all out of reach for those pesky, poopy neighborhood cats. Find it and play for free at the Just for Kids Adventure in Central Park Hall.

<strong>Fried just-about-anything on a stick</strong>. While I haven't seen anything to substantiate the rumor that <a href="http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/32665106">the fried butter on a stick that debuted at the Texas State Fair last year</a> will cross the Red River into the Sooner State for fair season, you can still find anything from chocolate-covered bacon or a block of Velveeta to fried mashed potatoes or strawberry cheesecake on a stick at the Tulsa State Fair this year. You might want to go ahead and make an appointment with your friendly neighborhood gastroenterologist now.

<strong>The Gin Blossoms</strong>. Oh, yeah, Gen X-ers - our Gin Blossoms will be at Tulsa State Fair this year. See 'em Oct. 9 at the Oklahoma Stage at 8pm. Tickets are...free. No, seriously! You can see Gin Blossoms for free at the fair this year. Pay $15 to get a spot reserved for you right up front, and don't forget to wear combat boots with those baby doll dresses you've been too afraid to admit (until now!) that you've been stashing in the back of your closet.

<strong>Pie eating, cookie stacking and biggest bubble contests</strong>. No, I'm not speaking in euphemisms. I'm talking about good, clean fun for the kids at Tulsa State Fair this year. Sign-ups for these throwdowns are 20 minutes before the start times listed <a href="http://www.tulsastatefair.com/index.cfm?id=160">here</a>. Plus, they're free to play.

<strong>Fanny packs</strong>. Sometimes utility and fashion try to come together to make amends, to smooth things over. Sometimes, it works out. Other times, we get the fanny pack. Game ideas: Search for and claim them slug-bug style ("green one!" "pink one!" "purple patent leather with rhinestones one!"). Or, if you have a designated driver, take a drink when you spot one. Wee!

<strong>Giant works of art made of...sugar</strong>. If we can use 640 pounds of cheese to carve a replica of the Golden Driller, then why not see what we can do with hundreds of pounds of fondant and edible gold filigree? Get in line to see some of the most imaginative cakes and baked goods around, including plenty of inspiration for the disgust you'll experience when anyone orders anything less for your birthday cake. Get it all in the lower level of the QuikTrip Center on Sat., Oct. 2, from 10am-11pm and on Sunday, Oct. 3, from 10am-6pm.

<strong>The Mad Hatter on ice skates</strong>. And a bunch of other Disney friends, too, actually, thanks to Disney on Ice moving in over at the Pavilion. Ticket prices start at $20 (keep in mind that all kids 2 and over have to buy a ticket). If you're on a budget but would still like to get a peek at this show, <a href="http://www.tulsastatefair.com/index.cfm?id=74">check out the deal on Thurs., Sept. 30, when certain tickets are $6 off</a>. Get show times and buy tickets <a href="https://www.choicesecure03.net/mainapp/eventschedule.aspx?Clientid=EXPO3&amp;group=NPAH">here</a>.

<strong>The birth of a baby farm animal</strong>. If you're into that sort of thing. But when the fair's in town, you should at least pretend you grew up on a farm and see what all the fuss is about. Find it in the Super Duty Arena.

<strong>Cowboys in pink</strong>. Because they're tough enough and deserve it, right? Especially after being thrown around by a bull all evening long. Be part of the Tough Enough to Wear Pink event during the PRCA Rodeo at the Pavilion at TSF this year for $25, a pittance considering that attendees are treated to gate admission to the fair as well as a Clay Walker concert after the broncs and blood, steers and mud. Mark your calendars for Oct. 8, 7pm.

<strong>Mullets</strong>. No fair in the south would be complete without them, right? So observe and enjoy. To enhance your mullet-viewing experience, it might be fun to take <a href="http://www.askmen.com/daily/austin_100/139b_fashion_style.html">this handy, dandy mullet field guide with you to the fair this year</a>. Involve the kids by creating bingo cards ahead of time out of the varied types of mullets. The first to shout bingo gets an extra funnel cake.

<strong>Pie Contest</strong>. There's nothing more American than a good, old-fashioned pie contest. Present your best on Fri., Oct. 8 between 7pm and 7:20pm for the $100 grand prize. Who knows, you might even beat <a href="http://twitter.com/randybrogdon">Donna Brogdon's pecan pie</a>. Other competitive food contests include a chili cookoff, a mystery ingredient throwdown and a thirty minute race to decorate a cake. Get the delicious details <a href="http://www.tulsastatefair.com/index.cfm?id=139">here</a>. A word of advice: It might be a good idea to stick around after these contests conclude to, you know, help with the clean up and whatnot. Yum!

<strong>That song from Deliverance</strong>, all embodied in one, big pickin' and fiddlin' championship. It's the 38th annual contest this year, all certified by the National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest and Festival in Idaho, and it takes place Oct. 9 and 10 in the Pavilion. Another thing? It's free to attend. Look also for contests in mandolin, guitar and, new this year, banjo - sexy! No, really. I think banjo players are sexy.

<strong>Lots of lovely people screaming their ever-loving hineys off</strong>. The Comet II rollercoaster will be just one reason why.

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A huge part of the fair experience these days are the rides. <a href="http://www.tulsastatefair.com/filesSite/Ride%20List%20with%20Details.pdf">Here's a complete list the ones you'll find at TSF this year</a> (warning: it's a PDF download), complete with height requirements and how much coupons you'll have to cough up to board each ride. Awesome!

<strong>Children on leashes</strong>. Because when there's this much to do in one place, it's more than a little person can handle without throwing caution to the wind and running full speed through the entire thing to the beat of the tens of thousands of blinking lights. It's like sensory overload on steroids. Hence, those kids we see at festivals and shopping malls wearing leashes that look like fuzzy monkey backpacks or something.

But hopefully, with this help of this guide, you and your family will be able to remain (mostly) calm.

<strong>More Tulsa State Fair Links:</strong>
<a href="http://www.tulsastatefair.com/index.cfm?id=159">Hours of Operation</a>
<a href="http://www.tulsastatefair.com/index.cfm?id=33">How to buy tickets online, in person or by phone</a>
<a href="http://www.tulsastatefair.com/index.cfm?id=36">Parking and Shuttle Information</a>
<a href="http://www.tulsastatefair.com/index.cfm?id=34">Daily Promotions</a> (read: ways to get free stuff and discounts on fair admission)
<a href="http://www.tulsastatefair.com/pdf/tsfGroundsMap2010.pdf">TSF Groundsmap</a> (PDF)

Hope to see you out and about as you get your Tulsa State Fair on! If you see us there, don't be afraid to flag us down. Especially if you have an extra cheese on a stick. They're my favorite.