State Fair Technology

Gadgets, Improvements, and Mechanicals

They retired and hadn't been to the State Fair in 10 years. But summertime in Minnesota beckoned and the 5th wheel trailer behind the Ford diesel pickup was parked until they needed it to return to Palm Springs California for the winter. They wore their hats they had crocheted from Cub Food grocery bags. He makes more than 300 of these a year and they sell them in craft shows on their journey and in the trailer park. He learned to crochet when he was young when his mother made him crochet so many inches (depending on how bad he was.) They came to explore their past and recall their youth at the Minnesota State Fair.

There are displays of oil production and forecasts. There are games for the kids.

And there are exhibits on alternative forms of energy and new technologies. Wind and solar power are popular. In 2006 one of the major exhibits was on the "heat pump" technology used to heat and cool homes.

Alternative autos are also on display. Top of the line is at 475 miles per gallon but it doesn't give passengers much comfort.

They used to call this "Machinery Hill" because it was loaded with displays of the latest farm equipment. Now it caters to the young urban professional and their offspring. 

An elaborate mobile home based on a semi but the cost is over $700,000. This is custom retirement for the conspicuous consumer. (The garage is a tuck under on the 15 foot extension at the rear)