Faces of the fair: Sean Emery, juggler

Sean Emery spends all summer on the state fair circuit, working his way around the Midwest, but he likes to end the season at the Minnesota State Fair.

It's his hometown fair, and this year is his 24th consecutive year performing.

"I'm basically an ex-circus clown," he said. "One of the finest entertainers in the Midwest — not the whole world — just the Midwest."

Emery calls himself a comedy juggler. His juggling, and his witty banter, draws in the crowd. Some people return year after year to catch his act as part of their traditional fair "to-do" list.

Tradition is what Emery thinks sets the Minnesota State Fair apart. People come every year with a list of their favorite sites and foods to eat, and they don't always take change lightly. Last year's remodel of the Heritage Square area raised some serious eyebrows.

"That'll take your serious fairgoers three to five years to accept," Emery said.

On his part, Emery has embraced slow change — he mixes up his act by just a little bit every year.

"You have to play to those people who come every year," he said. "And you've got to play to the people where this is their first time."