In the Good Old Summertime, the Minnesota State Fair is the Season’s King

The Minnesota State Fair. Four words that bring beaming smiles of anticipation to the faces of almost everyone in our great state as we cruise into the final days of summer.

Affectionately referred to as the “Great Minnesota Get-Together,” the fair brings together thousands of people from every corner of the state in a swirling mass of humanity that has one common goal in mind — cramming as much food, fun and excitement as possible into 12 golden days at the end of August. From admiring prize livestock to devouring every kind of food on a stick imaginable to rocking out to great music in the Grandstand to schlepping back to their car or the transit bus with sleepy children and a bucket of Sweet Martha’s cookies in hand, it’s what so many folks look forward to all year.

Let’s face it … while there are many attractions on offer, one of the biggest anticipations is the food, and nobody does food quite like the Minnesota State Fair. After all, when you announce that you’re heading out to the fair, what’s the first thing that your friends often ask? That’s right: “What are you planning on eating this year?” The obvious answer, of course, would be “Everything!”

In addition to the tried-and-true classics such as Sweet Martha’s, mini donuts, cheese curds, Pronto Pups and fresh French fries, the fair always has new and unique delights to tempt the taste buds.

Here are just a few of the newest delectable culinary tidbits awaiting you this year as you walk through the turnstiles.

Cheese curds are one of the undisputed kings of the fair, but they don’t have to be the same old, same old … try LuLu’s Public House’s newest offering of Caprese Curds. They take mozzarella cheese curds, bread them with Italian seasoning and deep fry them, then serve them over a bruschetta-flavored blend of tomatoes and basil, drizzled with balsamic glaze and a side of crostini for scooping up all of the goodness.

In the mood for something a little meatier? Try the Hula Kalua Pork from RC’s BBQ. Inspired by the traditional flavors of Hawaiian Kalua pork, this is slow-smoked pork collar caramelized with Hawaiian barbeque sauce and served atop a charred banana leaf. Sides are banana chips and Japanese quick-pickled cucumbers and finished with a sprinkle of coarse red sea salt. It’ll have you doing the hula down Dan Patch Avenue for sure.

Of course, after the main courses, you can’t forget the delightful sweets that tempt the tastebuds, and the fair has plenty of goodies awaiting!

If you’re one of the lucky folks who is celebrating your birthday during the State Fair (or even if you aren’t!), then Kora & Mila’s Cookie Dough has you covered with their Birthday Cake Cookie Dough On-A-Stick! This tasty treat boasts scratch-made cake batter cookie dough covered with a crunchy cake confetti shell and topped with rainbow sprinkles. Pop it on a stick, and it’s a celebration for your tongue.

Or how about a sweet and fluffy confection called the Croffle Cloud? Courtesy of Spinning Wylde, this air-light delight consists of a croissant pressed in a waffle iron and topped with fresh whipped sweet cream, a sticky drizzle of fruit purée and a cloud of cotton candy. Three flavors will be sure to please anyone.

After filling your belly with a cornucopia of sinfully delicious food, sitting down to digest might sound like a plan, and what could be better than taking in a concert while you do it? The Grandstand Concert Series has lined up a fantastic set of musical artists this year that should appeal to anyone’s taste.

The Great Minnesota Get Together kicks off with Old Dominion taking the stage on Thursday, August 21, with their clever lyrics, infectious sound and hook-heavy songwriting that has made them one of Nashville’s hottest bands.

The weekend really gets rolling on Friday, August 22, when multi-talented Meghan Trainor and special guest ellis hit the stage, and then on Saturday, audiences will be treated to The Current’s Music On-A-Stick Show 2025, which will feature Atmosphere & Friends: Minnesota with Atmosphere, Cypress Hill, Lupe Fiasco, The Pharcyde and DJ Abilities. Doors open at 4 p.m., so make sure you don’t miss a thing! Sunday’s Grandstand offerings are two acts that our community knows well — Melissa Etheridge and Indigo Girls will be rocking out on their Yes We Are Tour! These Grammy-winning musical powerhouses will be sure to put on a concert to remember, so get your tickets early.

The entertainment just keeps on rolling through the week, with Monday showcasing the Happy Together Tour 2025 featuring The Turtles, Jay and the Americans, Little Anthony, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Vogues and The Cowsills. Then Tuesday heats up as Def Leppard brings the pyromania to the Grandstand along with special guest Brother Cane. The vibe keeps right on coming through the week as Wednesday sees Hank Williams Jr. take the stage with his signature sound, accompanied by special guest Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives. Thursday welcomes the Steve Miller Band with special guest The Rascals, then The Avett Brothers with special guest The Milk Carton Kids rounds things out on Friday. Three-time Grammy award-winning rap superstar Nelly takes the stage on Saturday, along with special guests Ja Rule, Mýa and Ying Yang Twins.

Are the exciting rides more your thing? The fair has a multitude of thrills and chills for the whole family. The more adventurous will want to check out the Sling Shot, the Rock-Climbing Wall, the Skyscraper and Turbo Bungy in Adventure Park, while the littlest family members will find laughter aplenty at Kidway, with the Kiddie Bumper Boats, Charlie Chopper, the Tilt-A-Whirl and the Apple-Go-Round.

Of course, the Mighty Midway is always a huge draw! The Iron Dragon Roller Coaster, Music Express, Zero Gravity, Kamikaze and others will result in screams and laughter lasting well into the night.

No trip to the fair would be complete, though, without taking the plunge down the Giant Slide! This family favorite has been a staple on the fairgrounds for over 50 years and promises to remain so for decades to come.

No matter your reasons for joining the happy throngs filling the streets, the Great Minnesota Get Together has something for everyone, so come on out and join in the fun. It’s 12 days of unabashed indulgence, a chance to hang out with neighbors from one corner of the state to the other before the snowflakes start to fly. It’s truly an experience that you don’t want to miss.

See you at the Fair!

Minnesota State Fair
August 21 to September 1, 2025
mnstatefair.org