When I stopped to meet with a client yesterday after spending most of the day at the Minnesota State Fair, she asked me what was the highlight of my visit. She is relocating from the Seattle area and has never been to the fair. I had to confess that although some years do have a specific highlight this year it was just the experience of being there… a mix of food, free concerts, exhibits, rides, radio and televsion stations, creative arts, fabulous people watching…
It's hard to explain. I remember my first visit when I was a teenager visiting from North Dakota… I couldn't understand what the fuss was all about. Now I hate missing it. I think the tagline "The Great Minnesota Get-Together" perhaps explains it best… it is the ultimate melting pot!
Here are some fun facts…
- The first state fair was held in 1859, a year after Minnesota became a state
- The first state fair took place near what became downtown Minneapolis
- In the early years the site of the fair changed every year, with stops in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Red Wing, Winona and Owatonna
- In 1885 it found its permanent home in its current location
- There were 1,769,872 visitors to the fair last year in 2011
- Almost 170 baby animals are born at the fair each year in the The CHS Miracle of Birth Center
- President Teddy Roosevelt gave his famous “Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick” speech at the Minnesota State Fair in 1901
- The famous Pronto Pup was introduced to the fair in 1947
- Approximately 500,000 corn dogs are consumed at the fair each year
- It would take the average cow 3-4 years to produce all the milk served during the fair's 12-day run at the All-You-Can-Drink milk booth
The fair always runs through Labor Day… that means you have more than a week left to visit this year! I love parking in the north lot and riding the Sky Glider when it's time to go… a quiet aerial 'good-bye' until next year.
Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results – Email – Minnesota Realtor
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