Van Buren County Fair & Lake Michigan Circle Tour 04

Click on any photo to see an enlarged version.


IMG_5056.JPG
IMG_5056.JPG
IMG_5058.JPG
IMG_5058.JPG
IMG_5059.JPG
IMG_5059.JPG
Old tractor at my grandfather's house. Sunset o'er the Van Buren County Fairgrounds. Polish, Corn Dogs, Old Fashion Potato Chips
IMG_5063.JPG
IMG_5063.JPG
IMG_5064.JPG
IMG_5064.JPG
IMG_5065.JPG
IMG_5065.JPG
Pop Corn, Caramel... Creepy goddamn character near the ketchup pump Chocolate Fountain!
IMG_5066.JPG
IMG_5066.JPG
IMG_5069.JPG
IMG_5069.JPG
IMG_5070.JPG
IMG_5070.JPG
Ice Cold Drinks The excitement of a fair midway More fair midway action
IMG_5071.JPG
IMG_5071.JPG
IMG_5075.JPG
IMG_5075.JPG
IMG_5078.JPG
IMG_5078.JPG
Playworld Amusements had a very cohesive signage system, the same master painter did most of the rides and illustrations. Pop the balloon, win crappy prize Lights at the fair
IMG_5081.JPG
IMG_5081.JPG
IMG_5082.JPG
IMG_5082.JPG
IMG_5083.JPG
IMG_5083.JPG
Excellent rendition of Clint Eastwood by Ryan Simonson More balloons. Check the framed art on top. Demon Loop!
IMG_5084.JPG
IMG_5084.JPG
IMG_5086.JPG
IMG_5086.JPG
IMG_5090.JPG
IMG_5090.JPG
Tilt-a-Whirl or something Demon Loop mural art Cliff Hanger!
IMG_5092.JPG
IMG_5092.JPG
IMG_5094.JPG
IMG_5094.JPG
IMG_5096.JPG
IMG_5096.JPG
The Himalaya provides a treat to the senses The Orbiter had really amazing red-white-blue type that animated, tried to capture it in a few shots. Remined me of one of those popsicles from childhood, in the space rocket shape.
IMG_5098.JPG
IMG_5098.JPG
IMG_5104.JPG
IMG_5104.JPG
IMG_5106.JPG
IMG_5106.JPG
Random fair twirly ride The Orient Express! Try it if you dare The Zipper is a real goddamn beauty
IMG_5107.JPG
IMG_5107.JPG
IMG_5109.JPG
IMG_5109.JPG
IMG_5111.JPG
IMG_5111.JPG
Ahhh, the Zipper Frozen Banana...on a Stick, of course. Pharoah's Fury
IMG_5113.JPG
IMG_5113.JPG
IMG_5114.JPG
IMG_5114.JPG
IMG_5115.JPG
IMG_5115.JPG
Speedway, The Crystal Lil's Parlour of Rouge-d Ladies More fair concessionaires
IMG_5119.JPG
IMG_5119.JPG
IMG_5120.JPG
IMG_5120.JPG
IMG_5121.JPG
IMG_5121.JPG
Beautiful sticker artwork, available for your vehicle or elseswhere No redneck theme overlooked in this display... ...And completing the holy trilogy of idiotic imagery
IMG_5125.JPG
IMG_5125.JPG
IMG_5126.JPG
IMG_5126.JPG
IMG_5129.JPG
IMG_5129.JPG
This vendor was a champ, looked like a cross between Ben and Gary D mixed with Ricky G. Another shot of the chief. Super freakin cute little man holding square ice cream cone
IMG_5130.JPG
IMG_5130.JPG
IMG_5131.JPG
IMG_5131.JPG
IMG_5133.JPG
IMG_5133.JPG
Youth Fair Office Now we're inside a polebarn, stunning display of tennis shoes at reasonable prices Check the eagle on that sonofabitch
IMG_5134.JPG
IMG_5134.JPG
IMG_5136.JPG
IMG_5136.JPG
IMG_5138.JPG
IMG_5138.JPG
This woman worked at the eagle flag booth Fresh Cut Fries and their mascot "Spud" Fries and cotton candy, what more perfect meal is there?
IMG_5139.JPG
IMG_5139.JPG
IMG_5140.JPG
IMG_5140.JPG
IMG_5141.JPG
IMG_5141.JPG
Cold Drinks, a masterpiece of lettering Congress of great men discussing the issues of the day. Isaac, Paul, Mark, Vogt, etc. Paul's childhood drawing of Tarzan, a work of genius not to be taken lightly.
IMG_5142.JPG
IMG_5142.JPG
IMG_5143.JPG
IMG_5143.JPG
IMG_5144.JPG
IMG_5144.JPG
Paul still has my goddamn video of Jeff Krulik shorts, including Heavy Metal Parking Lot. I'm still waiting for it. What about it, Paul? Now we've left the Paw Paw area and are driving north on 131. Lettering on side of ICE cooler. Snowtype!
IMG_5145.JPG
IMG_5145.JPG
IMG_5147.JPG
IMG_5147.JPG
IMG_5148.JPG
IMG_5148.JPG
Roger's Department store in Grand Rapids, I remember many commercials from childhood. Beautiful period architecture/type. Got to see Bobby Chmiel for the first time in a long time. He's doing well. We ate good Japanese food for lunch. Moustache. Japanese teriyaki tofu with veggies for lunch.
IMG_5150.JPG
IMG_5150.JPG
IMG_5151.JPG
IMG_5151.JPG
IMG_5152.JPG
IMG_5152.JPG
Now we're in Manistee, the first of many lakeside tourist traps we visited. This town was a little too perfect, too "re-done" for the sake of tourists. But still had its charms. Hull's of Manistee had a terrific logo. That "H" alone is amazing.
IMG_5153.JPG
IMG_5153.JPG
IMG_5155.JPG
IMG_5155.JPG
IMG_5158.JPG
IMG_5158.JPG
Books News Cards and Gifts in Manistee. Fake antique-y type from 70's revival. Didn't spend long on the "Airplane Rides Signs Every Mile" road, but took a token shot of the sign anyway. Warning: Dangerous Death-Dealing Bolt Will Get Your Children!
IMG_5159.JPG
IMG_5159.JPG
IMG_5160.JPG
IMG_5160.JPG
IMG_5163.JPG
IMG_5163.JPG
State Theater in downtown Traverse City Doug Murdick's Fudge, downtown Traverse City Vanessa in front of sunset, waterfront Traverse City



Last updated: 9/22/04