It’s that time of year again… time for the Minnesota State Fair! And, who are we kidding? Everyone who goes to the fair is there for the food. With new, unique foods added every year along with all of your favorites (cheese curds and pronto pups, anyone?), there is a lot to choose from! Check out my post from last year about what to eat. But, you can’t just sit and eat the whole time. You need to give your body time to digest to make room for the next delicious selection. So, I’ve compiled a list of what you can do in between all of your 10 meals…
Explore the agriculture building and check out the blue ribbon crops and plants
I love smelling all the blue ribbon pine trees, trying to figure out what makes one corn cob better than the other, all while drinking my fresh apple cider. This is one of my favorite buildings at the fair! They have added beer flights in recent years so this building has become even more happening.
While you’re in the agriculture building, check out the seed art!
This is one of my favorite things to look at while I’m at the fair. So many creative uses for seeds that my mind would never dream up.
Get your awww on in the CHS Miracle of Birth center
This is where you need to go if you love baby animals. Well, who doesn’t? Be prepared for cuteness overload.
Release your inner cowboy/girl at the coliseum
The coliseum has lots of different horse shows every day at the fair. You can see anything from barrel racing to mini horses. For the full schedule, head here. You can always see the horses in the horse barn throughout the fair!
Wow your inner crafter at the Creative Activities building
From quilts to scrapbooking to woodworking, this building has all the amazing handmade crafts you could ever want!
Take a break from eating by looking at award winning baked goods
Don’t come here if you’re too hungry because none of these award winners give out free samples! I love seeing all the different cookies, cakes and jams and trying to imagine what they all taste like. These are also in the Creative Activities building 🙂
Feeling fancy? Head to the Fine Arts building to feast your eyes all the photography, painting and sculpture submissions
If you take a shine to something, I believe most of the work is for sale too!
Grab a seat for a unique view of the fair
Head over to the SkyGlider and get a birds eye view of the fair. You can start over by the grandstand or up by the Pet Center building.
If you need more cute in your life, head to the Pet Center
Lots of different dog and cat breeds just waiting to be pet? Sounds like a dream come true! Plus, you can purchase treats and other goodies for your pal you left at home. For more dog fun, you can check out the all stunts that happen during the day: K-9 cops, high-flying disc catchers, obstacle course runners and even dock divers!
Karaoke with all of your friends (and strangers too)!
The Giant Sing Along is such fun! With lots of microphones set up all around, you can join in singing to all your favorite jams. Plus, if you have a bad voice, no one knows it’s you.
Go back in time on Machinery Hill
See all the vintage tractors and other farm equipment from days gone by.
Get your heart racing without churning your stomach
If you aren’t in the mood for one of the rides on the Midway, head to the slightly more subdued Giant Slide! Riding not your thing? Just stand around and listen to people scream all the way down. The whole slide is mic-ed so it’s pretty funny!
Marvel at sculptures…carved from butter
Nothing says the fair to me like going to the Dairy Barn, grabbing a chocolate shake and watching them carve princess heads from butter. Princess Kay of the Milky Way is chosen from daughters of dairy farmers across the state. Each block of butter is 90 lbs and the contestant gets to take their head sculpture home at the end. I would compete in a beauty pageant if it meant I got 90 lbs of butter…
Light up the night at the Midway
Sure you can ride rides at any time of the day but my favorite time to be in the Midway is after dark. I feel like it’s more magical at night with all the lights!
Last but not least, people watch
The fair brings ALL kinds of people from all over the state (and country). So, just grab a seat somewhere and enjoy the show 😉
Ever been to the Minnesota State Fair? Let me know what your favorite part is down in the comments! This year, the fair runs from August 24th- Labor Day September 4th. For more information, head to the state fair website here!
