by Zach Miller
Quick Summary
The Minnesota State Fair is a bit like a library: there's so much to choose from that it's hard to know where to start. Explore the 10 items on this list and you'll have a well-rounded day at the fair.
Minnesota is justifiably proud of its best-in-the-nation State Fair and its equally fantastic libraries. The two will join forces again this year for Read & Ride Day on Wednesday, August 31. Public library cardholders can buy their tickets at a discount when they show their library card at the gate ($2 off for adults and $3 off for children and seniors, one discount per library card). Children under 5 get in for free.
The fair is a bit like a library: there's so much to choose from that it's hard to know where to start. Explore the 10 items on this list and you'll have a well-rounded day at the fair.
10. Food Consumption; All Day; All Buildings & Surfaces
Nothing at the State Fair gets more publicity than the food, and for good reason. Over the course of the Great Minnesota Get-Together, around 300 food vendors will offer 500 or so dishes. This year's new entries include SPAM® Sushi, Candied Bacon Donut Sliders, Paneer on a Spear, and the Sheep Dog, a lamb hot dog served with garlic-sauteed kale, sauerkraut, quinoa, and honey mustard drizzle.
But even considering the fair's newfangled creations and trendy foods-on-a-stick, the stars of the show are fundamentals like corn and milk. Over 10 days, fairgoers will eat 25 acres of roasted corn and drink the volume of milk it would take a dairy cow nine years to produce.
9. Recycling; All Day; 800 Recycling Bins Scattered Around the Fairgrounds
Although the fair is a marvel of logistics and efficiency, the recycling situation has been a bit less than marvelous in years past. Thankfully, the fair and their good friends at the Minnesota Beverage Association have doubled the number of recycling bins to nearly 800. This should drastically reduce your chances of *enjoying* the Jenga-esque experience of adding your recyclable to a precarious heap of empty bottles stacked atop a regular trash can.
Behind the scenes (and hopefully well out of view), the fair will recycle 70 tons of grease into biodiesel fuel.
8. Demi Lovato & Nick Jonas with special guest Mike Posner; 7:00 PM; Grandstand
Even if you can't sing a Demi Lovato song or hum a Nick Jonas tune, you can pay $56 or $40 to see them perform at the Grandstand where, in 1901, Vice President Teddy Roosevelt gave his famous "Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick" speech. Alabama will make their record 19th appearance at the Grandstand on Thursday night.
If a smaller venue is more your speed, head to the west side of Cosgrove Street, north of the Space Tower, to to see Billy Bob Thornton and The Boxmasters perform at 8:30 PM at the Bandshell. Yes, that Billy Bob Thornton.
Earlier in the day, you can catch Russian accordionist Max Thompson at the Festival of Nations Demonstration Stage at noon, 1:30, 3:00, and 4:30 PM.
7. Agrilympics: 17th Annual Wool Pack-O-Rama; 12:30 PM; Moo Stage (outside the Cattle Barn)
Have you had your fill of the Olympics? Of course not. Get one last fix by watching a group of celebrities "vie to be the champion wool packer by packing wool into a wool bag as quickly as they can."
6. Bee Beard Demonstration; 1:00 PM; Agriculture Horticulture Building
Head to the ag building to learn about bees and their importance to Minnesota's ecosystem and agriculture, then watch them congregate around their queen in a tiny box dangling from a willing participant's chin. After a while, the swarm will become a very warm (great in winter!) and very active bee "beard."
5. Milking Demonstrations; 10:00 & 11:30 AM, noon, 2:00, 4:00, & 6:00 PM; Moo Booth (outside the Cattle Barn)
Yes, you can drink craft beer flights and take pictures of yourself at specially designated selfie stations at the State Fair. You can also learn about milk production.
4. Mama Lou: American Strong Woman; 10:30 & 11:30 AM, 3:00 PM; Family Fair at Baldwin Park
Day-to-day life in modern America is sadly lacking in comedy routines peppered with feats of strength. Not so, Read & Ride Day. Head to the northeast corner of Wright Avenue and Cooper Street to take advantage of this rare opportunity to see a strong woman crush apples in her biceps and rip phone books in half. You might even get the chance to destroy something with your muscles - the show encourages audience participation.
3. Daily Parade; 2:00 PM; Begins at the Haunted House
There's a parade every day at the State Fair? Of course there is! Each parade includes high school marching bands, floats, and other attractions. Wednesday's parade will feature marching bands from East Central & Willow River, North Lakes Academy, St. Peter High School, and Winona Senior High School. After it gets its start at the Haunted House, the parade proceeds north on Cosgrove Street, west on Randall Avenue, and south on Underwood Street.
2. Minnesota 4-H State Arts-In; 11:30 AM, 5:00 & 7:30 PM; Harkness Hall Stage, 4-H Building
The Minnesota 4-H State Arts-In is a top-notch stage show built from the bottom up by 4-H members from throughout Minnesota. Participants choose one of four majors to take part in the show: the band, the performers (actors, singers, and dancers), the technical crew (they handle lights, sound, and set construction), and the costumers. For the audience, the Arts-In is a great show. For the participants, it is the chance to test their artistic skills and make lifelong friends. For Minnesota, it is a wonderful tradition.
1. Read & Ride Day; 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Carousel Park
Celebrate Read and Ride Day! Carousel Park is located between Carnes Avenue and the Grandstand, near the West End Gate. This year's offerings will include Captain ReadMore, the Rock-n-Read Bus, where children can learn to read through singing, and much more. Readers of all ages will get the chance to test their skill at Ebook Toss, an Ebooks MN-themed beanbag-toss game that invites players to choose their favorite genre and win a prize. The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, dueling pianos, a hypnotist, and a '50s-style rock band will perform throughout the day at a nearby stage. Check out the Read & Ride Day website for more information.
See you at the fair!
