State Fair

The 2024 Minnesota State Fair runs Aug. 22 to Sept. 2. For all of the events at the MPR booth and Dan Patch Park, go to mpr.org/statefair.

August 23, 2016 4:00 AM

Pants or no pants? 50 years of Minnesota State Fair mascots

In 1966, Fairchild the gopher became the official mascot of the State Fair and was joined by his nephew, Fairborne, in 1983. See how Fairchild has changed in his 50 years.

by Nancy Yang

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August 18, 2016 8:28 AM

Iowa State Fair v. Minnesota State Fair: Outhouse category

We must decide for ourselves which state fair is better, but you have to admit that the outhouse races in Iowa are, as we say in Minnesota, 'different'

by Bob Collins

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August 16, 2016 8:32 AM

State Fair to check bags at all entry gates

The State Fair says bags, purses, coolers and packages will now be subject to search at each of the fair's 11 entrances.

by Peter Cox and Nancy Yang

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June 21, 2016 8:00 AM

Spam sushi and candied bacon donut sliders: State Fair unveils new food for 2016

Get ready, fair foodies -- the Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new food lineup for 2016.

by Nancy Yang

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January 18, 2016 8:39 AM

State Fair reveals hopes for another expansion

The new plan isn't as expansive as the recent West End upgrade, but fair officials say the idea is still ambitious and could include new attractions the fair hasn't been able to accommodate before.

by Tim Nelson

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September 8, 2015 3:03 PM

Fair attendance nears 1.8 million, short of last year's record

This year's fair set a Labor Day attendance record of more than 178,000, which beats the mark of 164,000 set in 2013.

by Tim Nelson

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September 4, 2015 4:22 PM

Faces of the fair: Sean Emery, juggler

"I'm basically an ex-circus clown," Sean Emery Said. "One of the finest entertainers in the Midwest -- not the whole world -- just the Midwest."

by Tim Nelson

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September 4, 2015 4:05 PM

Faces of the fair: Down the Rabbit Hole

The Rabbit Hole is serving up modern twists on traditional Korean food at the fairgrounds. This is the first year the Rabbit Hole's owner, Thomas Kim, has made the trek to the fair.

by Tim Nelson

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September 4, 2015 12:00 PM

Newsmaker interview: Lt. Gov. Tina Smith

Lt. Gov. Tina Smith talked with MPR News' Tom Weber at the Minnesota State Fair.

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September 4, 2015 10:08 AM

Fair foodies: Your Friday Roundtable

Kerri Miller talked with three regional chefs about the people who inspired their love of food, the ingredients that excite them and the dishes that still elude them.

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