Like many, we have a tablet, and we use an app to tap into our library's magazine collection. One of the magazines we look forward to each month is Mother Earth News. It is interesting to see what other people are doing to grow gardens, preserve food, and live sustainably. Earlier in the year, I noticed the publication hosts fairs at several locations throughout the year, and one of the fairs was going to be in Wisconsin. The weekend of the fair's stop in Wisconsin, the stars aligned and I was able to attend the fair on a Sunday afternoon.
The Mother Earth News Fair was similar to other expos we have attended. They had several vendors/exhibitors, and presentations at several stages. The best part of the fair for me was the bookstore. Tables and tables of books on gardening, cooking, and other topics, and I love books. Magazine publishers often repackage their old articles on similar topics into a single publication. I bought a compilation of articles on farmers markets and another on rabbits. I also found a book on growing lavender, which is a project I am planning next year. A couple of tee-shirts, on sale, also found their way into my bag.
There was also a large-scale mockup on a magazine cover as a photo opportunity to fairgoers, into which I inserted our farm photo. Not quite "The Cover of the Rolling Stone", if anyone remembers that song.
I attended three presentations, two of which I really enjoyed. One was on managing a woodlot, and the other was on cheesemaking. The speaker for the cheesemaking presentation managed to make fromage blanc using cheese she bought at a local grocery store the night before, and a hot plate in her hotel room - very impressive and demonstrating that cheesemaking is possible with limited equipment. The speaker offered samples of different kinds of cheese, which was appreciated as I had not eaten lunch. Also, I am sure, a big hit in Wisconsin.
There were not as many exhibitors as I have seen at other similar events, but I managed to find a local vendor selling seed shallots. I have been meaning to buy some as we are approaching planting time for these, so picked up a pound to plant with the garlic. There was also a small yurt to tour.
It was a nice way to spend an afternoon. I just had one complaint. I have found that more and more venues are implementing ways to skip to the front of the line (e.g., Disney) or sit in the front row. All for an additional cost. The fair had preferred seating at the front of presentations for people willing to pay more. It was a bit comical as the presentations I went to had plenty of empty seats. I just wish it was possible to go to an event without feeling like the organizers are not trying to strip more and more money from me. Especially at an event hosted by an organization that preaches about frugality.
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