After weeks of staying at home, getting out to walk with spring in the air is mighty enticing! But wait! It seems everyone is doing the same thing, heading for the lakes, parks and trails.
With 2,126,551 visitors in 2019, the MN State Fair may not be a place that comes to mind as an uncrowded place to walk, but we had a great walk on the fairgrounds over the weekend. It was a whole new experience… no trouble social distancing!
I am not very hopeful The Great Minnesota Get-Together will be taking place this year due to the coronavirus, but we aren’t giving up yet. Since its inception in 1859, the fair has been held every year with only five exceptions: in 1861 and 1862 due to the Civil War and U.S.-Dakota War, in 1893 because of scheduling conflicts with the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, in 1945 due to federal government travel restrictions during World War II, and in 1946 due to a polio epidemic.
Attendance first hit 1 million in 1955, and was over 2 million in 2018 and 2019. It was a strange experience visiting with all the people gone, but it was great fun exploring the grounds. We saw things we hadn’t seen before because of the lack of crowds!
If you decide to go, here is info directly from the MN State Fair…
For the time being, the Minnesota State Fairgrounds are open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic and is accessible from Gate 5 at Snelling Avenue and Midway Parkway. All other gates are closed. For the safety of walkers and bikers, if you are driving to the fairgrounds, we ask that you park upon entering and do not drive around the grounds. Please comply with posted parking and traffic signs, including speed limits.
We also ask that your inner “Minnesota Nice” guides you as you use the fairgrounds to walk or bike.
- Our staff takes extra care to make sure our historic grounds remain beautiful, so please help us keep the fairgrounds in tip-top shape by cleaning up after yourself and your pet.
- Speaking of Fido, all dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
- Most importantly, in accordance with guidelines from the CDC, please maintain a respectful distance of 6 feet or more from others, and do not gather in groups.
Things to note:
- The fairgrounds are open to walkers and bikers between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily.
- None of the buildings are open to the public, with the exception of the restroom just south of Gate 5 at the Admin Too building.
- Pedestrians and bikers have the right of way. Again, please do not drive around the fairgrounds; park as soon as possible upon entering the grounds.
