Rick Does Swedish Days: Tuesday, June 19, 2012 Blog

OK, I figured the best way for me to try to tackle Swedish Days 2012 is with a timeline with tips. Here's what's happening so far Tuesday, June 19.

NEXT UP: (And I may not get there in time.) Ice Cream Eating Contest form 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

TONIGHT'S ENTERTAINMENT: Mike & Joe—7:30 p.m.

2:30 p.m. 

The long-awaited culinary experience of a lifetime: a fried Twinkie!

Food Review: Actually, it's as good as it sounds. The outside is—"crispy" isn't the right word exactly, but a little like funnel cake or elephant ears. And the inside is soft and warm. Reminds me of a toasted marshmallow. It's a little rich for me, but it is undoubtably a treat—something everyone should try and many will love. I'm giving it 4 stars on the 5-point Nagel scale.

2:15 p.m.

Concerts On the Lawn. I'm pretty sure I saw Ellus Bellus—three longtime high school friends playing Eian O'Brien's musicand lyrics.

Tip #5: Get there early, and find shade, if you can.

2:05 p.m.

Swedish Cinema on State! Again, we can't say the name of the film, but it involves a girl with long stockings. The movie with the palindrome music is tomorrow, apparently.

1:10 p.m.

Had the Swedish Ham sandwich from the Methodist booth.

Food Review: Awesome. I'm giving the Swedish Ham sandwich 4.5 stars on a 5-point Nagel scale. I should have taken a picture of the sandwich, but it was gone before I remembered I had a camera.

Tip #4: Swedish Ham sandwich, Methodist food booth at Third and State. 4.5 stars. "The dill sauce makes it."

NOTE: I messed up and mised the time capsule.

NEXT: Concerts on the Lawn and (possibly) Fried Twinkies. (I'm still full from the Swedish Ham sandwich.)

1 p.m.

I just figured out that I'm doing this blog improperly. I'm supposed to add the NEW stuff on top, not on the bottom. So I'll do that from now on.

Noon

Ran across State Street next to Hayley Skreens of Sounds Like Music, who was picking up a Swedish Ham sandwich from the  food booth at Third and State.

Now I'm inside , typing this up and realizing I can't type (or download photos) nearly as fast as I should. It's already 12:30 p.m., and I'm starved.

Tip #3: If you want to beat the heat, take in a free Swedish Cinema at the Geneva Underground Playhouse, 524 W. State. Next show today is at 2 p.m. The playhouse is a little hard to find, but it's in the building just west of the Pure Gardener. Go in, take the elevator downstairs, and enjoy the show! 

(We're not supposed to say the name of the movie but this one might have something to do with the music of a popular Swedish music group whose name is a palindrome.)

NEXT: I'm getting one of those Swedish Ham sandwiches. Review to come.

11:50 a.m.

Took some photos of the  and various shoppers and food booth folks.

Ran into, in order:

(a) , the outstanding freelance photographer and a great guy, who I'm guessing is shooting for The Beacon today.

(b) 1970s GHS football star Tony Purkart at one of the service club food booths at Third and Campbell.

(c) Class of 1975 three-sport athlete  (and owner of Hemming Construction), who is doing the remodelling work for some of the Mike Simon (also class of 1975) shops. (Photo attached.)

11:40 a.m.

Ran into Laura Rush and friends, which is always a good thing. Laura is the awesome Geneva Chamber of Commerce media and communications energy ball (and 2012 ), and her advice is as follows.

Tip #2: Try the fried Twinkies at the  booth on the southwest corner of Second and State Streets. Maybe Laura just wanted me to try the fried Twinkie, so that I would have a small coronary and stop pestering her. I promise to try it later, anyway, and let you know.

11:20 p.m.

Found a good parking spot in the lot at Third and Hamilton. Parking is starting to fill, but not bad at all. Which brings me to me first piece of advice.

Tip #1: Come on Tuesday. The restaurants and shops are doing well, while people get in from the heat—but there are plenty of seats just before noon. Even doesn't have a line outside.

Download the movie