Minnesota State Fair
The Minnesota State Fair (also "The Great Minnesota Get-Together" ) is one of the largest state fairs in the United States with 1.7 million visitors . It takes place annually in Falcon Heights near St. Paul , Minnesota .
The State Fair is very popular with the Minnesota population. In addition to a cattle show, the residents display various arts and skills. New products are also presented and various rides are offered. The twelve-day festival-like event usually takes place from the end of August to Labor Day in early September on an area of 130 hectares . In 2008 it was visited by 1,693,533 people.
history
A Territorial Fair was first held in Minnesota in 1854 . A year after Minnesota became a state, the first State Fair was held in 1859 . Since then, this has been held annually with a few exceptions. The State Fair was canceled during the Civil War and Sioux Uprising in 1861 and 1862. It did not take place in the year of the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. The next interruption was in 1945 and 1946. After gasoline ran out at the end of World War II, the State Fair could not take place the following year due to the outbreak of polio . In May 2020, the organizers announced that the State Fair would not take place in the same year due to the corona pandemic .
In the first few years, the venue changed regularly. Especially between Minneapolis and St. Paul a rivalry had emerged, so that in the 1870s both cities held competing fairs at times. It was not until 1884 that a committee was set up by the Minnesota State Agricultural Society to find a permanent venue. For example, the Ramsey County Poor Farm was selected in Falcon Heights, a place that is about the same distance from both cities . The State Fair opened here for the first time on September 7, 1885 .
One of the first traditions was the creation of sculptures made of butter . Every year since the 1960s, initiated by Minnesota's dairy industry, a Princess Kay of the Milky Way has been elected, whose head serves as the template for the butter sculpture.
In the beginning, the State Fair mainly focused on the agricultural exhibitions and shows. Only over time did it evolve into a mix of the traditional agricultural and modern elements and entertainment.
Attractions
- The cattle show is still an integral part of the State Fair. Many different animal species are exhibited. The best specimens of each species are presented with the Blue Ribbon Award in shows .
- A wide range of different dishes, which are often offered "on a stick". Many foods are associated with Minnesota agriculture. For example, cotton candy, milkshakes, corn dogs and pronto pups are popular.
- A wide variety of agricultural vehicles and machines are presented on the “Machinery Hill”. For several years, the State Fair was the largest annual agricultural equipment exhibition in the world.
- There are various entertainment and rides on the “Midway”.
- In addition to various exhibitions, other events such as concerts, comedy shows, a talent competition or product demonstrations take place at the State Fair.
Picture gallery
Skyway to connect individual festival sites
Exhibited wooden sculpture
Corn dogs "on a stick"
Space Tower at the State Fair
Web links
Coordinates: 44 ° 58 ′ 52 ″ N , 93 ° 10 ′ 5 ″ W.