I got a message from Travis today saying that he already bought tickets for the Minnesota State Fair this Saturday.  Of course I was ecstatic since this is going to be my first state fair ever!  I have always heard a lot of interesting stories about it… from performing arts, to popular concerts, adventure rides and out of this world foods, this is an occasion that brings everything and everyone together.

Minnesota State Fair is considered as the largest state fair of the nation in terms of average daily attendance though the Texas State Fair runs twice as long and has the largest annual attendance.  The Minnesota State Fair is held in the Fairgrounds located in Falcon Heights, MN which is adjacent to the capital city of St. Paul.  This even is known as “The Great Minnesota Get-Together”.  Many people from different regions come together to take part in the different activities.  Some participate in exhibits and showing off  their livestock, talents and skills.  There are also activities that gets you involved in arts and cooking.  But it is the food (usually on a stick) that draws the crowd above anything else.

Food is the primary attraction during the Minnesota State Fair.  It showcases the different and unique Minnesotan cuisine.  Classic fair foods such as cotton candies are readily available.  Everything deep-fried and on a stick that you can think of, you can find it here.  There’s no other place or event that you can find the best tasting corn dogs, alligator on a stick and if it is not too bizarre for you, how about deep-fried candy bars? Imagine your favorite Snickers candy bar dipped in batter and taking a plunge into a pool of fat.  Be ready for your cholesterol check!

New to the fair  in 2006 was hotdish on a stick, a variant of a classic staple of Minnesotan cuisine. In 2007 the new food was spaghetti on a stick.  And I heard that this year, it’s going to be Bacon dipped in chocolate on a stick.  How sinful is that?!

Other attractions include concerts which reminds me that 3 Door Down are performing tonight at 6:30pm on the first day of the 12  days of fun ending Labor Day.  Backstreet Boys will be performing at the grandstand with Girlicious on Saturday.  Am I going to watch it?  Maybe.  That is if I can get my attention away from the food. There are different performers daily but I didn’t bother to mention them since I don’t know most of them.  My mind is still wandering about the food at the fair.

When we talk about state fair, one would always think about rides.  Of course, the Midway is the carnival like setting that offers most of the rides in the state fair.  The attraction includes fun houses, roller-coasters and other thrill rides as well as a couple games of skill.  There are other rides located outside the designated area.  One of these is the popular Giant slide,  on which fair-goers go down a large metal slide on burlap sacks.

There are a lot of things to see and enjoy.  I have 2 more sleep until I can finally experience my first state fair.  I can already imagine myself pigging out in those outrageous foods enjoying each and every bite.  Mmmm… cheese curds!