The Minnesota State Fair Is Always The Crowning Way To Cap Off The Summer

What is that I see circled in red and festooned with smiley faces on my calendar? Why it’s that glorious final curtain call to Minnesota’s all-too-short summer, and it’s on its way—those twelve golden days at the end of August that are the much-beloved 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  common 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 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.

Sausage Sister & Me, located in the Food Building on the east wall, will be debuting their 3 Piggy Pals On-A-Stick. Three juicy smoked sausage slices wrapped in crispy bacon, filled with a cream cheese mix and drizzled with barbeque sauce will make your taste buds dance, and the jalapeño slice on the top will give it just the right kick. Oh, and you can’t forget the obligatory stick that the State Fair is so famous for!

Easy-to-eat bites to pop into your mouth while walking along and people watching are always a treat, and The Herbivorous Butcher has you covered with their Raging Balls! These deep-fried sesame mochi dough balls are filled with a vegan cheeseburger filling, grilled onions and pickles, and topped with a bacon-flavored powered sugar. Perfect for carrying along to munch as you peruse the booths and exhibits.

The State Fair wouldn’t be the State Fair without cheese curds! Richie’s Cheese Curd Tacos has a new offering – Buffalo Cheese Curd & Chicken Tacos. Imagine a fried flour shell generously filled with fried buffalo-flavored cheese curds and chicken topped with blue cheese slaw and then drizzled with buffalo sauce. You’ll definitely be wanting seconds!

What’s more Midwest than ranch dressing? Take it, deep fry it, and it becomes one of the State Fair’s new taste sensations! LuLu’s Public House has taken the old salad staple and added a new twist—combining ranch seasoning with buttermilk and cream cheese, putting it into a panko shell, then deep frying it and dusting it with ranch powder. Serve it up with a side of hot honey sauce made with Cry Baby Craig’s hot sauce and enjoy.

Of course, you can’t forget the delightful sweets that tempt the tastebuds. One of this year’s new foods is the Strawberries and Cream Waffle Stick offered up by the Waffle Chix.  It’s a Belgian waffle filled with strawberry shortcake cookie dough and topped with whipped cream and strawberry sauce…on a stick, of course!

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 Becky G and special guest Los Aptos headlining the Grandstand on opening night, Thursday, August 22 at 7 PM.

The first weekend of the Fair only gets more exciting as Chance the Rapper take to the stage on Friday, Nate Bargatze: The Be Funny Tour is in the spotlight on Saturday, and Blake Shelton with special guest Emily Ann Roberts round out things on Sunday.

The entertainment just keeps on rolling through the week, with Monday showcasing the Happy Together Tour 2024 featuring The Turtles, Jay and the Americans, The Association, Badfinger, The Vogues and The Cowsills and then Tuesday brings the beat with Ludacris & T-Pain.

Switching things up on Wednesday, August 28th, the Grandstand welcomes Jon Pardi and special guest MacKenzie Porter. Not exactly the groove that you’re digging? Never fear, Mötley Crüe will be rocking the Grandstand Stage on Thursday, August 29th. And if that’s not enough entertainment for you, the Matchbox Twenty with special guest Beauty School Dropout will be bounding onto the stage on Friday, August 29th. Stephen Sanchez brings his timeless sound and breezy baritone to the stage on Saturday, August 31th.

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 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 22 – September 2, 2024
www.mnstatefair.org