My first year was 2007, the year that the temperature stayed around 110 degrees for the entire 12 days. The asphalt temps ranged from 132 -- 150 degrees and heat strokes occurred almost daily. During the Fair, the Commissioners follow a pretty tight schedule, attending various events, visiting vendors and concessionaires, thanking sponsors, meeting state and federal legislators and officials. I was extremely embarrassed to stand next to someone as sweat trickled over my various parts, but I soon realized that everybody else was in the same condition. Not having been around livestock very much, my first venture to the swine barn was particularly interesting in such hot weather. I attended my first rooster crowing contest, won a blue ribbon in a "celebrity" mystery cook-off (my husband laughed at that!), saw more breeds of cattle, horses, sheep, rabbits and pigs that I knew existed. And I met Alice Cooper -- now that tells my age! As I was rockin' out to "I'm 18" clapping with my arms held high I actually felt 18 again until I noticed that my upper arm old lady flab was keeping the beat. Oh well.

So this year, although I am still not a pro, I am able to actually help people find things and navigate the grounds fairly well. It has been a great year so far. Governor Nixon attended the opening ceremonies last Thursday, made the rounds including a tour of the MoAg building, and at each stop he emphasized the importance of Missouri agriculture to our state and to the world. I did have an absolutely fabulous time at the Heart concert last Friday night, amazed that Ann and Nancy can still belt out those famous songs. I am doing my best to sample every taste of Missouri, from honey ice cream to buffalo meat. I visit the Missouri Electric Cooperatives building regularly, each time thanking those who sent crews into our area last winter. I go by the beautiful MoDOT gardens and building, trying to catch the District 10 crew so that at least somebody can understand my Bootheel accent.

As are all of our fairs and festivals across Missouri, the Missouri State Fair showcases the best of our communities, particularly our youth. Since I am constantly meeting people and being introduced at many events, a whole lot more people know about Kennett than they did a few years ago. Almost every person I meet asks me if I am from Mississippi, which is an excellent lead into educating another Missourian that there is a Missouri south of Cape Girardeau and that we grow cotton and rice, among many other things. Wednesday and Thursday are legislative days, giving us the opportunity to visit with our state and federal elected officials but I am avoiding political issues in this blog, so that report will have to wait. I will say that we should all be very proud that our State Representative Tom Todd and his wife Pat are going to spend a few days at the Fair this year. O.K., I'm off to the pig races -- be back in the office next week!