Fair Warning

Why I’m building, painting, panicking, and smiling through sawdust this July

Remember a few weeks ago when I shared my heartbreak over not being selected to sell at the State Fair?

Well, things have changed, and I have a small announcement:
I’M GOING TO BE A VENDOR AT THE WISCONSIN STATE FAIR. 🎡🎉🥨

This is both a dream come true and the start of what I can only describe as a frantic sprint that lasts exactly 11 days, which were preceded by another frantic sprint that lasts exactly 30.

I got the news in late June, just a few days after my post lamenting my lack of an invitation to vend. The fair starts July 31. That’s eleven full days of vending, chatting, showcasing, and selling my handmade tracker maps to a massive crowd of beer-sipping, cream puff–eating, maybe-mildly-sunburned Wisconsinites.
Which is amazing AND a little terrifying.

Because here’s what I don’t have yet:
– Enough inventory (I had hoped to be called to vend in April, not June)
– A pro-looking booth setup (see above)
– Signage that doesn’t scream “I printed this at home at midnight” (well, that’s a me thing but I’m working on it)
– A plan for how to feed myself and stay upright for 11 days (ha)
– Staff (this could be a problem)

Here’s what I do have:
– A lot of wood
– A lot of ideas
– An amazing community of people who always cheer me on (that’s you)

It’s an honor to be invited to something as big and iconic as the Wisconsin State Fair. I’m thrilled to bring See You On The Trail to an audience that might not normally stumble across my little corner of the internet. I’ll be showcasing my National Park maps, State Park maps, Stadium Trackers, Supper Club boards, Tavern boards, and anything else I can finish, label, and pack before the truck rolls out.

And because I want my booth to reflect the same love and craftsmanship that goes into my work, I’ve been spending a lot of time lately designing, building, staining, cutting, painting, sanding, crying softly, and ordering things online I probably should have ordered a month ago. Oh, and binging on that Trainwreck series on Netflix. I watch a lot of trash TV when I’m working with my lasers, and Trainwreck is my latest favorite.

Photo: Wisconsin State Fair, 2011. Photo by author, Hipstamatic Camera App, Lens: Kaimal Mark II

So, if you’ve noticed things have been a bit quieter than usual around here with fewer posts, fewer emails, fewer existential essays about trail running and wood dust, this is why. I haven’t abandoned my Substack, not by any means. I’m just elbows-deep in fair prep and running on caffeine, excitement, and a huge helping of chaos.

I’ll be back with more reflections soon. But for now, I just wanted to say thank you for being here, thank you for your patience, and thank you for cheering from the sidelines as I prepare for what might be the biggest event I’ve ever done.

If you happen to be at the Wisconsin State Fair between July 31 and August 11, come find me! I’ll be the heavily caffeinated one under the “See You On The Trail” banner, hopefully not crying into my soft pretzel.

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☕ Buy Me a Coffee?

If you’re cheering from afar and want to fuel the late nights, long cuts, and counting approximately 21,000 tiny tree tokens, you can buy me a coffee right here.
(Or a root beer float. Or a small box of sanity. Whatever’s in season.)