One of my favorite things about the end of summer is the Minnesota State Fair. I don’t remember the last time that I missed the state fair, so it was a hard pill to swallow that the Great Minnesota Get Together was cancelled this year. Luckily, Andrew and I were able to get a ticket to the State Fair Food Parade this year. We went through yesterday just the two of us. It definitely wasn’t the same, but it was nice to have a piece of the fair this year. Andrew and I loved eating all the great food! We got some fair classics- The Mouth Trap Cheese Curds, Fresh Cut French Fries, Sweet Martha’s Cookies, and a Pronto Pup for Andrew—plus we got some new foods we haven’t had before— Eggroll on a Stick and Garlic Cream Cheese Wantons. They moved the parade along at quite a quick pace, and kept us busy and our car full of food. While the parade planners said to plan an hour and a half to two hours, we were out in just about an hour, although we had plenty of food to continue eating as we drove to visit Andrew’s parents. They did a great job with the food parade, not only did it go quickly and smoothly but there was a lot of fun and entertainment along the route as well. There was food parade bingo, live music, trivia, and a great local radio to listen to as we went through. While I missed the games, rides, animals, exhibits, and shopping, I’m glad we were able to get some sense of the fair this year.

Attending the Minnesota State Fair been a family tradition since I was little, and a tradition I personally cannot wait to pass on to whomever we are lucky enough to adopt. My dad took me and my sister when we were young, usually on separate days. It was a nice bonding experience. We got to eat mostly what we wanted to play games, go for rides, go through the fun houses, and walk around to see everything. In high school, my dad and I would still go, sometimes with a friend. Even though I went to undergrad on the east coast, I still made it to the state fair every year. In undergrad I started attending the fair more than one day when possible, which was just amazing. I also started going to concerts at the fair my freshman year of undergrad. We don’t catch a concert every year, but it is a lot of fun when a group or artist that we want to see is there. I think Andrew started joining my family at the fair the year I graduated undergrad. After a couple years, we started going just the two of us. We love getting there early for breakfast and he sticks it out all day with me. In the late morning or early afternoon we typically meet up with my family—whether it’s just my dad, both my parents, Andrea and Christian, or more extended family as well. It really is just a great day full of food, fun, and a ton of walking.

So what do we do at the fair when we go? First stop is always the Miracle of Birth Center, where we check out the piglets, baby sheep, baby cows, and baby lambs. They are just too cute!

Andrew and I then get some food and start going around the fair. We love to get around the whole thing, not just the food and games, so we’ll hit up the west end market and the stalls in the grand stand. We walk up machinery hill to check out the pet pavilion, the eco building, and all of the cool stuff on the top end of the fair. Of course, we eat along the way—what’s the Great Minnesota Get Together without all the food?!? We’ll usually by this point get ready to meet up with my family, where we get Fresh Cut French Fries before hitting the Midway for games and rides. I LOVE going on rides at the fair but I usually have to convince people to join me.

After the midway, we’ll hit up the animal barns and check out all the animals. We’ll stop and check out live entertainment for a break when we need one. As a family, we check out the agriculture/horticulture building and eat ourselves around the food building. You can’t forget the middle of the fair with the DNR building, giant slide, and grilled corn on the cob! The best end to the fair is when there is a concert in the grandstand we’re excited for—sometimes with friends, sometimes with my parents, sometimes with Andrea, and sometimes with the cousins. Below is a photo from seeing Macklemore with my sister, her best friend, and our cousins. I’ve also seen Weezer at the fair twice, 38 special, REO Speedwagon, Journey, Pat Benetar, and Franki Valley and the Four Seasons.

What do you guys like at the fair? What are your must have for items?

~Natalie