Land of 10000 lakes IV
No matter where they are, Americans are talented at finding reasons to have some great fun and trying out something different. That explains why the state fair, an activity lasts more than a century, is still on top of the summer to-do list for many people.
Of course, I have been to fairs, the one that was held at the school playground composed of food stands and flea markets with a pure purpose of school fund-raising; or like the one which resembles a huge outdoor bazaar where you will find farm-direct produce and countless gardening materials. But a fair that attracted 2 million visitors in 12 days with the highest peak of 270k attendees in one day? Totally not!
"The Great Minnesota Get-Together" is a telltale slogan for Minnesota state fair. Legendary 4-H livestock exhibition, residential agricultural and horticultural competitions, countless concerts and live music shows, more than 300 food concessions, and finally, no-dare-to-try terrifying amusement rides all locate at a 322-acre fairground. It covers all you need for a wonderful family-friend time and if you intend to experience all these enticing activities in merely one day, that is unrealistic.
Ask a Californian and a Minnesotan "How was the state fair this year?" You might receive polarized responses. "What is that?" will very likely be the answer of the former.
Existing for more than a century, state fairs never shy away from their history and still remain a strong bond with agriculture even being in an industrialized and service-economy society nowadays. For sure, we no longer trade animals at a fair anymore. It becomes a place for animal-keepers to show off how beautiful their horses are, how comfortable the woolen is made, how canny their lovely doggy friends could be, and how delectable and fresh those farm-direct honey and milk is. But still, its commercial value has never been abandoned, that's why plenty of publication, music records, hand-crafted home decors, and even trailers or jacuzzis all awaits for their new owners to bring them home.
A local fair = An additional product showroom
One thing that definitely cracks my mind 👀
Wearing a pair of comfortable shoes and making your wallet full enough is definitely indispensable before visiting here because the eclectic choices of food and the diversified exhibitions will make your mouth and feet unrestful. From the on-the-go food on a stick, classic piping hot cheese curds, homemade fruit sorbet to well-known Sweet Martha's cookies and all-you-can-drink-milk booth, it is unreasonable that you will leave the fair with an empty stomach. As for those curious minds, the green technology exhibition, history hall of grand midwest reclamation, and for sure, the pet and livestock center, where you could have the first-hand interaction with your furry companions, are all worth your visit.
Find your one and only soul mate at the pet center
To find the food stands? Look for where the people are!
Eat before asking what it is
As on average more than 150,000 attendees per day, people-watching is finally the ultimate fun thing to do at the fair. You could see local students passing through the crowds in their college-T to promote their brand new seasonal ball games; performers held various concerts in all kinds of scales --on stages, at terraces, or in a stage truck; not to mention kids monkeyed around the amusement facilities with hysterical laughter, or owners patted their horses before that 10-minute appearance in the cutting or speeding competition. There are friends, family, couples, residents, visitors and don't forget those fascinating animals which have been brought here so we could realize again that we human beings are not dominating but sharing this world with other precious lives.
Here might not be "the happiest place in the world" but it's a place where we could refresh our mind and get recharged while enjoying incomparable food and having a jovial day with our beloved, all in a unique Minnesotan wild way.
A butterfly house with joyful kids
A movable terrace provides you an awesome panorama
Of course, I have been to fairs, the one that was held at the school playground composed of food stands and flea markets with a pure purpose of school fund-raising; or like the one which resembles a huge outdoor bazaar where you will find farm-direct produce and countless gardening materials. But a fair that attracted 2 million visitors in 12 days with the highest peak of 270k attendees in one day? Totally not!
"The Great Minnesota Get-Together" is a telltale slogan for Minnesota state fair. Legendary 4-H livestock exhibition, residential agricultural and horticultural competitions, countless concerts and live music shows, more than 300 food concessions, and finally, no-dare-to-try terrifying amusement rides all locate at a 322-acre fairground. It covers all you need for a wonderful family-friend time and if you intend to experience all these enticing activities in merely one day, that is unrealistic.
Follow the vibe with a huge number of visitors
The fair is held in the suburb of the capital city- Saint Paul
Existing for more than a century, state fairs never shy away from their history and still remain a strong bond with agriculture even being in an industrialized and service-economy society nowadays. For sure, we no longer trade animals at a fair anymore. It becomes a place for animal-keepers to show off how beautiful their horses are, how comfortable the woolen is made, how canny their lovely doggy friends could be, and how delectable and fresh those farm-direct honey and milk is. But still, its commercial value has never been abandoned, that's why plenty of publication, music records, hand-crafted home decors, and even trailers or jacuzzis all awaits for their new owners to bring them home.
A local fair = An additional product showroom
Wearing a pair of comfortable shoes and making your wallet full enough is definitely indispensable before visiting here because the eclectic choices of food and the diversified exhibitions will make your mouth and feet unrestful. From the on-the-go food on a stick, classic piping hot cheese curds, homemade fruit sorbet to well-known Sweet Martha's cookies and all-you-can-drink-milk booth, it is unreasonable that you will leave the fair with an empty stomach. As for those curious minds, the green technology exhibition, history hall of grand midwest reclamation, and for sure, the pet and livestock center, where you could have the first-hand interaction with your furry companions, are all worth your visit.
Find your one and only soul mate at the pet center
Eat before asking what it is
As on average more than 150,000 attendees per day, people-watching is finally the ultimate fun thing to do at the fair. You could see local students passing through the crowds in their college-T to promote their brand new seasonal ball games; performers held various concerts in all kinds of scales --on stages, at terraces, or in a stage truck; not to mention kids monkeyed around the amusement facilities with hysterical laughter, or owners patted their horses before that 10-minute appearance in the cutting or speeding competition. There are friends, family, couples, residents, visitors and don't forget those fascinating animals which have been brought here so we could realize again that we human beings are not dominating but sharing this world with other precious lives.
Here might not be "the happiest place in the world" but it's a place where we could refresh our mind and get recharged while enjoying incomparable food and having a jovial day with our beloved, all in a unique Minnesotan wild way.
A butterfly house with joyful kids
Immerse in live music before beginning another adventure
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