Minnesota State Fair

If you have ever lived in the Mid-West, you know how important their state fairs are. It is no different here in Minnesota. The Minnesota State Fair runs for 12 days and is packed with people every moment the fair is open. The University of Minnesota shuts down for the days of the fair so people can park in the university parking lots. And people take the week off of work to either attend the fair or work at the fair. Yes, they are that crazy about their fair! Since Rob's week off for the summer is the week of the state fair, we were in Utah visiting family last year and missed this BIG event. But no need to fear, we are in town for the fair this year and we just had to check out what the Minnesota State Fair is all about! I mean it must be pretty cool since people come far and wide from 5 states to visit the fair and the TV news people are always broadcasting from the fair and look like they are having so much fun! Plus we were dying to try all the "fabulous fair food" which most of it is on a stick.

One of our friends, Reed, who is a Minnesota native came along with us to be our fair tour guide. His daughter Olivia as well as another friend's boy, Gavin, came also. It was great having Reed with us because the fair grounds are 320 acres and he knows where everything is located including the best place to get hamburgers and hot dogs!

We checked out a lot of the animals. I thought all the animals would be in one barn, but I was sorely mistaken. There is a huge Cattle Barn full of all cows. And by the way, these are the cleanest cows I have ever seen. Then there is the Swine Barn with all pigs. Here is a picture of Evan with "Pretty Ricky" the biggest pig at the fair weighing in at 1200 pounds!Then the Horse Stable with only horses. You get my point! I didn't realize there would be that many animals.

Of course the kids wanted to ride some amusement rides, so we let them each choose a few. Evan and Rob went on the Fun Slide (they are on the left of the slide)

and the Dragon Roller coaster, which after Rob got off he looked at the supports holding up the track and decided if he had seen that before he boarded the ride he wouldn't have gone on it. Evan also rode on the flying elephants with Olivia.

As for fair food, Rob had the Bratwurst with sauerkraut, Evan had a hot dog and some french fries and I had a little of both of their food. As for our treat we had to try something on a stick since that is the cool thing to do so we had a Milky Way on a Stick. No they don't just put the candy bar on a stick. The candy bar is put on a stick then placed in batter and deep fried! Really good for you I know! As if a candy bar isn't good enough alone. The conclusion we came to as for the food - there is nothing that is good for you sold at the fair. Everything is deep fried, on a stick, and not much nutritional value. Plus it is really expensive - you could spend a fortune to have a heart attack! Something we didn't try but I hear a lot about is the fried cheese curds. I think they sound gross, but people rave about them!Though if we were to go to the fair again, I think I would have to get the chocolate chip cookies on a stick and then go to the all you can drink milk for a dollar bar and eat my cookies!

All in all, it was a fun day but I don't think I would make an annual event out of it like most residents do. Maybe every few years. I think the fair was a bit spoiled for us because of all the hype that it gets. It is talked up so much that it could never live up to those standards. Plus I don't think Rob and I are really "fair go-ers"! But at least we know we did go to the Minnesota State Fair while living here, which I am sure we will be asked by true Mid-Westerners!