it's the final countdown to fair fun

As the million-plus people who attend each year can attest, summer isn’t officially over without a trip — or three — to the Minnesota State Fair. The highly anticipated event takes over the State Fairgrounds in St. Paul for 12 days every August through Labor Day.

how many of these iconic state fair things have you done?

With nearly 500 food items, 30 carnival rides, and more than 900 free performances, there's plenty to keep you busy throughout the Minnesota State Fair. We’ve got 25 must-dos for your fair trip! 

fun fact corner

FOR THE MINNESOTA TRIVIA FANATIC

the governing body of the fair pre-dates minnesota officially becoming a state.

The first Territorial Fair was held 171 years ago in 1855. The host, the Minnesota Agricultural Society, continued the fairs after Minnesota was granted statehood in 1858.

GET MORE FAIR FACTS >>

the more the merrier

From the Kidway to the Cattle Barn to Sweet Martha’s Cookies, we’ve collected many of the fair's family-friendliest attractions, activities and foods. Start a cherished end-of-summer tradition (without the stress).

locals share their "must-dos"

fine arts show

"I never miss the State Fair Fine Arts Show. Ever since our kids were younger, we would do the scavenger hunt with the different hidden things on various pieces of art. In fact, we have a piece of art in our home that we were inspired to buy from one of the Minnesota artists we saw in the Fine Arts building. It's one of the state's finest art galleries, with painting, photography, sculpture, glass and mixed media curated to really give a snapshot of the creativity happening in our state."

— JASON DERUSHA, RADIO HOST

classic foods

"As a member of the Star Tribune Taste team, eating our way through all the new foods on day one of the State Fair, my personal favorite activity at the fair is to eat for pleasure – not work.

That means going back around day eight or nine, when I’m ready to eat again, and revisiting all my favorite bites from years’ past. Those almost always include the grilled peaches from Produce Exchange, the giant eggroll from Que Viet, a chocolate Kiwanis malt, and the deep-fried, cream cheese-stuffed olives from Fried Olives. They’re not new, they’re not fancy, but they’re delicious, and bonus: I get to choose them myself."

— SHARYN JACKSON, FOOD REPORTER

the skyglider

"It is so hard to identify a single activity or food we love at the fair, but I would say that what I can’t do without is the SkyGlider ride. It offers such a wonderful view of the fair and deposits us right by the sweet corn, which I adore.

[My husband] Mark’s favorite diversion is watching the staff at the sweet corn booth dance on top of the roasters right after the fireworks every night."

— LAURA MELNICK, CROP ARTIST

pickle on a stick dipped in kool-aid

"I’m a sucker for the pickle on a stick dipped in a cup of Kool-Aid. It’s from this place called Pickle Dog. Zero clue how the Kool-Aid and pickle combo came to be, but I remember hearing about it years back and it was just crazy enough to work. Sweet and sour contrast for sure, and definitely a nod to the nostalgia of my childhood — getting a Kool-Aid mustache and all that."

"Until recently, the vegan options haven't been great, so the most important part of our State Fair experience has always been riding the Crazy Mouse at the Mighty Midway. Even though it's not that scary, we all jump on and scream our heads off. Or maybe it's just me screaming and the other three laughing at me. We also always buy the picture from the biggest scream part of the ride, so we have years and years of photos."

steal their trip

TWO FOODIE FANATICS TAKE ON MINNESOTA

local recipe

from top to bottom: Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul, photo by Devon Cox  |  Ferris wheel at the Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul, photo by Lane Pelovsky  |  Video still from Explore Minnesota  |  Parade at the Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul, photo by Andrew Parks  |  Fine Arts Show at the Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul, photo by Andrew Parks  |  Food option at the Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul, photo by Andrew Parks  |  SkyGlider at the Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul, photo by Andrew Parks  |  Pickle Dog at the Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul, photo by the Minnesota State Fair  |  Crazy Mouse at the Minnesota State Fair, photo by Andrew Parks  |  Food stands at the Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul, photo by Paul Vincent  |  Pickle Pizza made by Hayden Haas, photo by Devon Cox

YOUR TEN MUST-DO THINGS THIS SUMMER IN MINNESOTA >>

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