MINNESOTA STATE FAIR

Local

A dream and a toaster oven takes 1st place at state fair

Becoming interested in baking thanks to her grandma’s, Mallory Leitinger submitted a cookie she thought was not good enough, and took down the competition.

Minnesota

Shooting incident injures one, shuts down Minnesota State Fair on Saturday night

The shooting comes despite metal detectors at the fair gates, although some fairgoers have reported only cursory examinations of bags and other belongings after fairgoers set off the magnetometers.

September 04, 2022 04:56 PM

Minnesota

Minnesota home to rising star in competitive pumpkin-growing world

Travis Gienger of Anoka, Minnesota, said the pumpkin he’s growing this year could weigh more than the one he grew in 2020, which was the heaviest pumpkin in North America that year.

September 03, 2022 10:30 AM

Northland Outdoors

What happens to the Minnesota DNR fish after the State Fair is over?

The fish have all been swimming together for weeks and swapping potential pathogens and whatnot. So, they can’t ever return to the wild.

August 30, 2022 11:31 AM

Latest Headlines

Lifestyle

10 new Minnesota State Fair foods: Hit or miss?

Hot takes on pickle pizza, dessert hummus, cheese curd tacos, vegan fried chicken, a black licorice ice cream sundae and more new things you can put in your pie hole at the Great Minnesota Get-Together.

August 26, 2022 12:00 PM

By Jay Gabler

Minnesota

Jensen hammers Walz over debates, but governor candidates don't always spar at state fair

How often Minnesota gubernatorial candidates meet on the debate stage depends quite a bit on the type of election year.

August 26, 2022 10:30 AM

By Alex Derosier

Minnesota

Minnesota State Fair's new butter carver from Litchfield prepares to create 'dairy' good art

Butter carving is a long-running tradition at the State Fair. It’s part of the Princess Kay of the Milky Way competition, which brings 10 finalists from around the state to compete for the crown.

August 26, 2022 08:51 AM

By Estelle Timar-Wilcox / MPR News

Minnesota

69th Princess Kay of the Milky Way crowned

Rachel Rynda is the daughter of Francis and Theresa Rynda, of Montgomery, Minnesota, and attends the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

August 25, 2022 10:51 AM

By St. Paul Pioneer Press

Minnesota

Minnesota State Fair focused on addressing accessibility for all

In recent years, the State Fair has taken the wide issue of accessibility and brought it to the forefront of their planning. They offer an extensive accessibility guide including ASL interpreting services and sensory-friendly visits.

August 24, 2022 11:20 AM

By Sam Stroozas / MPR News

Minnesota

Walz, law enforcement, say they expect safe Minnesota State Fair

Ahead of the “Great Minnesota Get Together,” the State Fair Police Department recruited 200 officers from more than 50 agencies to patrol the fairgrounds, and they’ll have backup from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The fair will also continue to use metal detectors at the entrances, something that started in 2021.

August 23, 2022 05:51 PM

By Alex Derosier

Giant loon sits on back of truck outside building.

Minnesota

21-foot loon from Virginia, Minnesota, migrates south for Minnesota State Fair

The giant bird, in protective wrap, made the road trip early Thursday morning. It will be on display in the Eco Experience building to raise awareness of the dangers of lead pollution.

August 23, 2022 09:08 AM

By Jay Gabler

Minnesota

75 years in the making: A look back at the Agriculture Horticulture building at the Minnesota State Fair

When the State Fair was canceled in 1945 due to World War II and in 1946 for the polio epidemic, fair workers began constructing the new building. It opened in 1947 and has been a landmark on the fairgrounds ever since.

August 22, 2022 11:19 AM

By Sam Stroozas / MPR News

Minnesota

Minnesota State Fair police fully staffed

200-officer hiring goal reached; other agencies to help out

August 17, 2022 12:37 PM

By Mara H. Gottfried / St. Paul Pioneer Press