A newbie's guide to the Minnesota State Fair

From the moment I set foot in Minnesota to begin my internship at MPR News back in June, it seemed that nearly everyone told me I couldn't miss the State Fair.

A native of Seoul, South Korea who came to the United States three years ago to study, I had no idea what to expect.

I've never been to a county fair, let alone a state fair. Imagine my amazement when I stepped foot on the 320-acre fairground that is the Great Minnesota Get Together.

In a word: Wow.

I mean: What the heck? Alligator on a stick? Key lime pie on a stick? And fried Twinkies?

Do people really eat this stuff?

I'm sure there are tons of tips and countless fair aficionados out there, but here are four tips for my fellow state fair newbies:

Be an early bird to catch your food

I started my days at the fair at different times: Late afternoon on Saturday and early morning on Sunday.

Earlier, I would find, is always better. And cooler. And far less crowded.

Who would know that I would be one of the 222,194 fairgoers Saturday who helped set a state fair record for the most crowded first-Saturday ever.

Sadly but not unexpectedly, I missed Sweet Martha's Cookie Jar, Fresh French Fries, Hangar's Cake'd Up Celebration Beer and all the other fair gems I had been pumped for.

So I decided to go early the next day.

It was 8 a.m., parking was easier, lines were shorter, the weather was cooler. I could take my time and opted to nibble on toast and eggs at Salem Lutheran Church before other parts of the fair open later.

The fairgrounds open at 6 a.m. every day and you can relish plenty of early-bird deals before it gets busier in the afternoon.

So why not roll out of bed early and enjoy the morning breeze?

Get ready to fill up your tummy

Let me tell you what you are going to do at the fair: Once you walk through the entrance, you'll get your first food, and then walk to the next food, eat more, and then walk to the next one, and eat and eat and EAT.

Oh well, I guess that's how I added a few more pounds to my waistline.

But I couldn't help myself. When would I see Pronto pups and cheese curds again? I justified the near-constant nibbling as a state fair tradition.

You can't worry about weight with all the smells wafting. You know, it's only for 12 days and you can always exercise for the next 11 months.

See a spot in restroom? Go get it!

This seems obvious, but ... if you see a restroom with a short or even no line, consider yourself lucky and make a stop.

Here's a little tip: Instead of roaming the streets looking for designated bathrooms, find the nearest building.

Restrooms out on the streets are almost always crowded but the ones in buildings usually have fewer lines. The Horse Barn and the buildings each have two restrooms, so if you're walking by those buildings, you may want to make a stop.

'Oh no, where did my cash go!'

Being able to use credit cards almost everywhere has been the beauty I appreciate while living in America. But that is not the case at the fair.

With $100 tucked in my purse, I figured I had all the cash I needed.

Ummm, nope.

Several hours later, it had evaporated.

Most of the food and drink vendors are cash-only. Although people say there are more credit-card-available-stalls this year, you don't want to risk missing your favorite fair-exclusive food because you forgot to bring more cash.

There are ATMs located throughout the fairgrounds, for use.

But wouldn't you rather stand in line for fried-something on a stick?