When I was a kid visiting from New York, I liked State Fair, the 2009 edition of which kicks off its 11-day run tomorrow.

I liked seeing the animals, I liked the cheap kitschy toys and I vividly remember having a State Fair black and white checkered racing flag in my bedroom in Brooklyn. Not far from the cartoon Milwaukee poster -- Old World Charm, New World Vigor -- that my grandparents bought for me at Usinger's (boy I wish I could find one of those now!) and the stack of tiny newspapers.

As I got older, State Fair started to lose its charm for me and I became more of a Summerfest person. Although, certainly, the two biggest events of the Milwaukee summer are not mutually exclusive.

Over the past few years -- and even before I had kids -- I started to appreciate the charms of the Fair again.

My love for Cracovia and its polka band, potato pancakes, sausages and High Life on tap is well documented on this site. But I love that my wife loves the giant slide (even if I don't) and I again appreciate seeing the animals and I love the DNR area with its relative tranquility in the heart of the madness.

I admit, I'm still not really a fan of the music at the Fair for the most part. The main stage acts fall outside my areas of interest and the same is true for cover bands. But I can put that aside now.

After all there's a Wisconsin wine building, cheap flavored milk, cream puffs and yummy sundaes, too.

Discovering and understanding the varied qualities of the State Fair has helped me enjoy it more. Now I cherry pick the fair for the things I enjoy and just doing those makes for a fun and satisfying visit or two every year.