Roasted corn and crop art: Highlights from my first time at the Minnesota State Fair

For almost a decade, I have lived in Minnesota. But I never did the one thing that many of my friends did as soon as they moved here — go to the Minnesota State Fair.

When colleagues started planning the annual coverage, I thought about how this was my ninth summer in Minnesota and I had yet to make the trip to the fairgrounds. To clarify, I lived and worked in the southern part of the state as a transplant from my home state of Ohio, and never once made the excursion to the Twin Cities. 

Once that was made known to colleagues, they asked me this: Why haven’t you gone all this time? 

As a 22-year-old when I first arrived in Minnesota, I was broke and worked two jobs as a young reporter and as a barista. I spent a lot of time near Rochester trying not to spend more money than I needed.

Going to the fair wasn’t a priority for me. Plus, when you’re new to the state, you don’t know many people, so the prospect of attending something that was a couple hours away from where you lived by yourself felt intimidating and … not fun. 

If I asked others about the State Fair, I usually got a short, “You’ve been to one fair, you’ve been to all fairs.” I don’t get excited to go. But, when I hear stories about people who’ve been going to the State Fair since they were babies, I begin to wonder, “Is there something more to it?”

So, when MPR News invited me to go attend the State Fair and experience it for the first time, I said yes. Curiosity finally got the better of me. 

A morning adventure

Unfortunately, our adventure was on one of the hottest and most humid days of the summer. 

We started early in the morning and avoided the heavy traffic. Better still, we managed to find a parking spot close to the fair. I followed my friends and colleagues, MPR News arts reporter Jacob Aloi and digital producer Sam Stroozas, through the crowded grounds. 

The food. Of course, I knew this was part of the fair experience. We talk about the State Fair food list every year it releases and take our guesses as to which ones would be the ones that would be knock-outs and ones that might … well, the concept was there, but not fully baked. 

I don’t know why, but I always had an affinity toward building or booth design. The older, the better. Sometimes we’d pass by a booth or vendor with vintage lights or lettering, and I immediately feel a surge of nostalgia for a place that I never visited. Combined with the delicious smells of fried food and powdered sugar, it started to hit me — I was finally at the fair. 

We passed by Hamline Church Dining Hall, which is the oldest food concession at the State Fair, and the last of two church dining halls. Jacob told me the history of these spaces. 

I assumed fairs were mostly food booths or carts. Hearing about the real history and how the State Fair evolved was fascinating.

Our first stop was at the Minnesota Farmers Union. There, I had Maple Cream Nitro Cold Press Coffee with Sweet Corn and Hot Honey Cake. I love spice and savory dishes more than sweet, but this was the perfect balance. Plus, the cold brew to start my morning pumped me full of needed caffeine. 

After breakfast, we kept walking around and I saw the giant Ferris wheel in the distance. I couldn’t help but feel that this was the moment where I felt a small spark of joy — an iconic symbol of what a fair represents to me. I didn’t get a chance to ride it, but maybe one day I’ll get to go back. 

This wasn’t mentioned in the top five recommendations by our readers or listeners, but it was something that I wanted to see and visit — the Minnesota Newspaper Museum. 

The reason why I’m in Minnesota in the first place is because of my start at the Rochester Post Bulletin as a newspaper reporter. I then worked at the Austin Daily Herald for almost two years before I came to MPR News. 

During my college years, I was at a student newspaper that was still printed at the time. Before then, my high school newspaper was still in print. Newsprint has always been a part of my story and my blood. It’s a traditional story form that I cherish and hold close to my heart.

I was thrilled to see this place, even if it was for a short visit. 

Arts, crafts and connections

Seeing all the amazing things at the fair was great. As someone who loves creative things and the arts, I found crop art to be completely unique — and I loved it. 

Seeing art made of native seeds that referenced pop culture, famous figures and symbols made me wonder how to get started in this medium. To think there were so many talented Minnesotans from all over left me awestruck. I wish I could’ve spent more time here, but I can’t wait to see what next year’s batch of art will entail. 

I kept seeing a common thing among display after display. No matter where I went, there wasn’t a shortage of talent. Baked goods, embroidery, woodwork, syrups, flowers, vegetables and honey were all made by people who live in Minnesota. People who have vast interests and talents and live right next door. 

We saw the 4-H building. There, I learned that the State Fair’s origins were from 4-H. It’s these little things that make me realize that I still don’t know a lot of things, despite having lived here for almost a decade. And there are so many more people to meet. So many more organizations to connect with and stories to tell. 

I didn’t know that some of our colleagues had a history with 4-H, like Cathy Wurzer, or that a co-worker won a ribbon for her bagel recipe (Lisa Ryan, our evening editor; I had no idea and would love the recipe). 

Taking a walk with Sam through these buildings and learning about the interests of our coworkers — like textiles, knitting and crocheting — made me miss having in-person conversations with them. 

I work remotely most of the time in our bureau in southwest Minnesota either at home in Mankato or in the Worthington bureau alone. So, I love getting a chance to work with them in the field like this. 

Pronto Pups vs. corn dog debate

Throughout the trip, we made food stops. Sam insisted that roasted corn was a thing, so I got some. See this completely flattering picture of me consuming an ear of cob, and I will say that it was delicious. So, I give it five stars. We also were told by followers to have Sweet Martha’s Cookies. 

There’s something about a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie that’s satisfying. I wouldn’t say it was the best cookie I’ve ever had in my entire life, but it was still something that I think I’d associate with the State Fair experience. I’m glad we got to swing by the booth and at least say “I’ve tried it.” Sharing it with my friends was probably the best part. 

I am kind of bummed that we didn’t get to try the Amish doughnuts from Peachey's Baking Company, mostly because the lines were extremely long when we went. So, that’ll be another thing I’ll have to try some other time. 

But, the biggest debate that needed to be settled for me during my visit to the State Fair was one that even within my newsroom still causes headaches — Pronto Pups vs. corn dogs. 

This was really more for Jacob’s sake than anything else. For the longest time, I had heard about Pronto Pups and had no clue or interest in what these were. 

To be honest, I’m not fond of corn dogs either. As a kid, I remember getting sick from the mini-sized ones and I think it might have caused a taste aversion that lingers to this day. As soon as I saw how big the Pronto Pups were, I almost felt my stomach churn. 

Even though the Pronto Pup texture is slightly crispier than a corn dog, it tastes less sweet than the cornbread batter you’d expect from a corn dog. I know some would argue that because I finished it, I must have liked it. 

No — I didn’t want to waste money or food. My husband finished it off for me and he was the one who liked it. 

Now, my opinion: I didn’t despise it. It wasn’t enough for me to throw it away and not finish it. Would I compare it to a corn dog and say that I like it better? That’s hard because I have a taste aversion to corn dogs. Secretly, I did wish the batter was a little sweeter like cornbread. 

I give the Pronto Pup a generous 6.5/10. Jacob admitted he could live with that. Oh, but the roasted corn was delicious. I loved it. (Jacob couldn’t understand what the deal was with corn at the fair, but I think it’s great). 

The rides … and the Giant Slide

We took the SkyGlider across the fair. Jacob pointed out the various scenes of the fair from a bird’s eye view. I was amused at the different items folks would throw from the ride onto the top of buildings. We saw clothing, dollar bills, etc. It’s highly discouraged by fair staff, but you have to wonder how this started. 

I will admit that I was terrified of this ride. Regardless of the lift and the welcome break from walking, with the height and the shakiness of the cable and no seatbelt, I felt a little uneasy. 

It’s part of the experience. I kept repeating that to myself. I didn’t like it and if I came back I’d take the cable car instead. 

But you see things from a different perspective up there. You can really see how many vendors there are at the fairgrounds. 

We saw the grandstand from the distance, and the numerous rides whirling around. Families and friends were going about their day. 

The ride did stop at some points during the lift, and that’s when I started panicking slightly. When there’s no seat belt, and you’ve been sweating all day, you start sliding a little bit in your seat. 

I never felt so happy to feel solid ground beneath my feet once that part of the trip was over. 

And then there was one specific ride that listeners requested that I conquer during my visit, and it was one that Jacob and Sam would not let me skip at all — the Giant Slide. 

I assumed it was like a playground slide. No. It wasn’t. 

I climbed the metal grate stairs and I thought my colleagues were going to join me. Nope. It was all me. I stared blankly at the ground below as the staff guided me to the top as I settled myself down on the mat. 

I saw the yellow slide and the long incline sloping downward. I don’t know what happened, but I think I blacked out. My life flashed before my eyes. Apparently, on a recording of me on the slide, there is an insanely high-pitched screech. That was my scream. I do vaguely remember the slide staff saying, “We thought we lost you!” 

Maybe I did. I don’t remember much. All that I know is my screams are forever recorded for news purposes. This is public radio. Thanks, MPR News. 

Final thoughts

We couldn’t possibly fit everything into a few hours, let alone a single day. But, what we could do made me feel content. 

Despite it being extremely hot and humid, and me getting blisters on my ankles, I loved being out there with my small digital camera documenting my trip. Most importantly, I’m glad I got a chance to see all the different things the State Fair had to offer. 

As someone who hadn’t taken the trip before in the almost last decade since moving out to Minnesota, I’d recommend making the trip to the State Fair at least once and experiencing it before saying no. 

But I think I’m good with the Giant Slide for at least another decade.