My Wonderful Epic Weekend Back Home Seeing Family And Friends

Talk about an amazing whirlwind kind of month! You know it's going to be quite the Epic month when I'm doing my daily afternoon radio show with the New Jersey State Fair Sussex County Farm & Horse Show. There was plenty of wildlife chasing me, many friends old and new, and of course delicious food. The whole time I was at The Fair this year, to be honest I was counting down until Saturday August 13th.

Back in February-March when I was vacationing in Florida with my best friends from back home in New England, we decided to do a cookout in August that everyone could attend. Between my work schedule here in Jersey, I'm the one who needs to plan my availability or lack thereof. They originally asked if the first Saturday of August could work for me, I immediately declined citing that it was Fair week.

My week at The Fair was definitely Epic. I tried my first ever funnel cake, well, twice. Why? One of my dear friends was busting on me for eating plain hot dogs at The Knights Of Columbus stand. Those stands and rotaries are a huge factor in helping me afford being there all week long. Not only that, your money goes to local volunteer charities right here in our backyard. When I'm there at The Fair every week, I try to pace myself. I try to do a couple of fancy fair food items throughout the week while trying to still get my steps in. I made up my mind to try my first ever funnel cake.

I was going to go down in flames. I had a Reese's Pieces Funnel Cake, which had peanut butter and chocolate sauce on top of it. While it was delicious yes, I could only eat 25% of it. I then honestly felt like garbage the whole rest of the day, it even hurt when I drank from my water. Two days later I bounced back, enjoying an original Funnel Cake that went down much, much easier than the fancy one. I hate 70% of that one at least. I can now say that I have tried Funnel Cake!

There are so many New Jersey State Fair Sussex County Farm & Horse Show staples. This year there were some new vendors and food trucks even I hadn't seen before in my 8 years broadcasting from The Fair. I enjoyed Bucks BBQ. When it came to trying new things, there was one thing I really was hyper focused on targeting. AXE THROWING! You can see how I did with my first ever axe throwing attempt on my Instagram @SteveAllanRadio. All weekend friends were debating whether or not I made a good throw, because I hit the bulls eye, but it didn't stay in. I think it was a decent throw, but you can be the judge on Instagram @SteveAllanRadio.

Friday night I wrapped up my Fair week at Hef's Hutt with a couple of my besties, JG, Carrie, Brad, Steve, Tory and Kyle. We had a great time. It was just what the doctor ordered for me. Beautiful weather with a great ambiance, then I ended up running into my friends Ron and Heather. We had so much fun talking about our music stories, and they informed me Sunday night they were seeing one of my all time favorites, Rage Against The Machine! I enjoyed watching them on Instagram living vicariously through them.

Saturday morning it was time for me to hit the road and trek up to New England. Connecticut had spotty traffic on 84, so I took a quick pit stop and ate a a Buffalo Wild Wings right off the road. I love how Buffalo Wild Wings is so good at getting me in and out of their restaurants quickly, helping me stretch and get back on the road. Clutch.

By Saturday afternoon, I safely arrived in Raynham, Massachusetts. My bestie bro from home Matt was hosting all of us with a wonderful cookout. Well worth the 6 months in the works! I had a great time laughing with so many of my friends. It was definitely sobering when we were realizing how many years we've all been friends. Some 17 years, some 22 years and so on. WOW. We are getting OLD!

Saturday afternoon into evening we had so many laughs and stories. Even though I more than held my own playing cornhole, I was on the losing team each time. I had some decent throws too. I always joke that of course I'm great at cornhole, because I'm always going to be good at things I can't make money at, like massages, and well radio. LOL.

One of my highlights included a HILARIOUS unexpected picture. Our friends Laura and Rob were having fun with us, and getting ready to leave out of respect to Laura's parents who were watching their kids. Matt, forever the sales stud, told Laura "let me face time with your Mom, I'll talk to her!" I then said "Ya know Matt, we can utilize the fact I came all the way from New Jersey for this to help add some guilt." We cracked up. Laura then Face Timed her Mom, and her Mom immediately supported us. My friend Steph took the picture that shows Matt, Chris and me all making our case while Face Timing LMAO. It was hilarious. We've all been best friends the three of us for over 22 years. Our friendship is a legal adult who can purchase alcohol! One friend jokingly called us the three stooges. I prefer to think of us as the three originals.

Saturday night I was able to return home and see my family. Nothing beats getting to go home and hug them in person. I'll never take that for granted, especially after these past couple years!

Sunday we were able to enjoy lunch at a place called Brax in Taunton. They did a fantastic job with that place, you would never know it used to be a Ruby Tuesday's years ago. I did their turkey tips which were fantastic last month, and awesome again this month too. In fact, 5 of us got the turkey tips and we were all psyched that we did. I could be a freakin salesman for those turkey tips lol.

We then went to Plymouth, Mass (yes, home of the disappointing / underwhelming / historic Plymouth Rock.) Our friends Jill and John who had that beautiful, gorgeous wedding last November, John's Grandfather unfortunately passed away. We went to his Celebration Of Life. Even though I hadn't met Robert Turner, it was important for me to support Jill and John. I'm glad that we did go, even though when you're planning a vacation going to a Celebration Of Life isn't one of your top ideas. I was able to learn so much about Robert Turner the family man and football coach. Some of his former players showed up in their football jerseys as a tribute to him with jerseys that were over twenty years old! When you're a football coach, you can make such a positive, lasting impact on so many people. You could definitely tell this was the case.

After that, we were definitely ready for adult beverages. It's always fun for me to going back to Bog Iron Brewery in Norton, Massachusetts. Their bartenders are terrific friends and we always watch each other on Instagram. They treat us like we're family. Jimmy Buffett was in town, and they held an event celebrating him with Bog-aritaville. It was packed but they were right on top of everything even if the line was constantly at least ten people deep.

Mondays are always tough when I have to leave my family. We had a good lunch at Red Rooster's in Foxboro, Mass that was able to help me get on the highway quickly and easily.

Monday afternoon I was able to make a pit stop detour in Danbury, Connecticut. I was able to catch up with my dear friends Lauren and Nate. Their baby just keeps getting cuter I swear! We were able to exchange and share two delicious craft beers. I was able to impress them with my Bog Iron Soul Cellar. Great times catching up with them.

Tuesday was a relaxing pool day at Crystal Springs. Now we're late enough in the summer where most of their employees know me on a first name basis LOL. Sorry, it's my happy place!

I had a wonderful time getting to see my family and friends this weekend. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my Epic Weekend In Pictures. Time to start planning next weekend!