That Siren Song of Late Summer – The Minnesota State Fair

It’s coming! The glorious cap-off to Minnesota’s all-too-short summer is on its way—those twelve golden days at the end of August that are the Minnesota State Fair. 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 goal in mind—cramming as much food, fun and excitement in as they can while it lasts. 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 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.

Nordic Waffles, recently profiled in our “Summer Treats and Sweets” issue, will be debuting their Bacon-Wrapped Waffle Dog, a unique treat that combines a bacon-wrapped Kramarczuk hot dog with cheddar cheese, pickle slices, crispy onions and burger sauce, and bundled into a Nordic Waffle.

What says Minnesota more than walleye? Add the obligatory stick, and you have Walleye Fritter Pops, courtesy of Giggles’ Campfire Grill! This tasty bite consists of smoked walleye mixed with a delightful blend of cheeses, dill pickle relish and fresh garlic, all rolled up together in panko breadcrumbs and deep-fried. Perfect for carrying along to munch as you peruse the booths and exhibits.

For the really brave souls who have a true Nordic heart with a bit of an Asian angle, Shanghai Henri’s is rolling out the Crispy Lutefisk Steam Bun. They fill a steamed lotus bun with a concoction of cabbage, carrots, cilantro and yum yum sauce and top it with a dollop of Olsen Fish Company lutefisk brined for 12 hours in salt water, then cover it all with a sweet hoisin sauce, bake it and top it sesame seeds.

Of course, you can’t forget the delightful sweets that tempt the tastebuds. One new food this year is a sweet and tasty Fruity Cereal Milk Biscuit from Betty and Earl’s that consists of one of their light-as-air biscuits made with fruity cereal milk and cereal bits, then drizzled with icing flavored with the same fruit cereal and topped with even more cereal bits!

After filling your belly with 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 The Black Keys and special guest The Velveteers headlining the Grandstand on opening night, Thursday, August 24 at 7 PM.

The first weekend of the Fair only gets more exciting as The Chicks take to the stage on Friday, Keith Urban is in the spotlight on Saturday, and Boyz II Men and Chaka Khan round out things on Sunday.

The entertainment just keeps on rolling through the week, with none other than Brandi Carlile gracing the stage along with Wynonna Judd on Tuesday, August 29th.

Switching things up on Wednesday, August 30th, Yung Gravy and special guest bbno$ will be bringing the fans on their feet with their raucous melodies and lively entertainment. Not exactly the groove that you’re digging? Never fear, Duran Duran will bring their inimitable ‘80s sound to the stage on Thursday, August 31. And if that’s not enough entertainment for you, the Jonas Brothers will be bounding onto the stage on Friday, September 1^st.

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 and Turbo Bungy in Adventure Park, with the littlest family members finding 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 fifty 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 twelve 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 24 – September 4, 2023
www.mnstatefair.org