I always enjoy going to the annual Brookings Summer Arts Fair — the variety of art mediums and items, the food, the activities, the music. But sometimes being among humongous groups of people make me a little nervous. It’s not as bad as the Minnesota State Fair, but peak time at the art fair can be a little crowded.

It was a little before 1 p.m. when we arrived in Brookings. Finding a place to park remotely close to the art fair can be a challenge, but we managed to find one that wasn’t too far away. I noted the rock painted like a flag in front of the house on the corner, so at least I had a landmark besides remembering the streets we were on.

Since it was lunchtime, the hunt for food was first on our list. The art fair has a great website that lists the artists, the entertainment, the food and where everything is located. So I took the time to scout out the different kinds of food. If I wanted to try chislic (which is basically cubed meat), there was a vendor for that. There was a smorgasbord of foods, so admittedly I didn’t really choose anyone the night before. I mean I had my choice of gyros, homemade onion rings/blooming onions, steak sandwiches, corn dogs, pork loin sandwiches, turkey legs, Indian tacos, corn on the cob, etc., etc., etc. I just figured I’d go to the place with the shortest line that appealed to me. I stumbled across one that was selling street tacos. Sounds good to me. And it was delicious. We sat at a table with a man named Gene, who was there with his family — some were still coming, and his daughter went to fetch ice cream. After some small talk we headed to the antiques and living history area. Ross was on a mission of sorts with the antiques. I lingered more by the edibles/naturals area in my search of soaps. I bought a bar from a new-to-me vendor. Eventually I’ll get around to using the soap as, well, I do have a lot of bars of soap.

While Ross was scouring the antiques and history area, I’d go survey other vendors, come back to where he was to see what progress he’s made. This went on for almost an hour. It’s fun to see what people have to offer, from clocks made from old records to photography to jewelry to yard decorations made from old tools and metal. At one of the photography booths, Ross noted that we’ve been to the place that was in one of the vendor’s photos. Sure enough, it was a scene from Alexander Ramsey Park in Redwood Falls.

It’s become a sort-of tradition to get spoon-handle rings at an arts fair. And around the time we arrived at one of the vendors that creates things made out of silverware, the Minneapolis-based band Good Morning Bedlam was taking the stage at the bandshell. I wanted to check them out, so I left Ross in search of rings (I had picked out a few) to take a listen. According to the band’s Facebook page, their shows are “known for their contagious energy, with members careening about the stage, jumping and dancing with a wild playfulness.” My kind of band. It’s going to perform in Marshall at 7 p.m. Aug. 8 at the Liberty Park bandshell as part of the Marshall Area Fine Arts Council’s “A Little Night Music.” The band is fun to watch, and I love the harmonies, so go check them out if you can.

See you at the next arts fair!