Montana First Snows – Allegan Country Fair
Went on our annual pilgrimage to the Allegan County Fair yesterday. This is the 165th year of the fair – I have probably gone to 40 of them. I like to talk to the public and of course the dog at the fair entrance – he and his trainer are members of the Allegan Fire Department. I always stop at the Merson church kiosk and have discussions on the state of the world – great group there.
There is a village at the south side where several old buildings were moved from the Allegan county area to the grounds by the Allegan Historical Society – these include a log cabin, blacksmith shop, a church, schoolhouse, gas station and a doctors home all with period furnishings. (more photos below)
Of course we don’t do the rides anymore, getting to old for that. We look through all the exhibits and the animal barns – then it is off to the fine dining. I recommend the sirloin tips and mushrooms this year – you will find that booth at the east side of the fair.
Here we are in the middle of September and we have the first discussion of snow in the upper passes of the Rockies of Montana above 5500 feet. They could receive up to 10 inches. Below 5000 feet they will receive the nasty wet slushy snow which is like cement when you try to move it with a shovel. The warnings and advisories cover a good chunk of western Montana and north western Wyoming.
Obviously no snow forecasted here in Michigan – the opposite will be true. Things will be warming up around here with temperatures rising 10 to 15° above normal for this time of year. High pressure will bring fair weather with warm days and cool nights into the weekend. The next chance of rain is Sunday afternoon when a cold front could bring some showers and thunderstorms which linger into Monday
