The Great Minnesota Get Together is over once again

Its hard to believe that another Minnesota State Fair is over, and the next is a year away. But now that the barns have been swept out, the food vendors have gone home and the mid-way rides are at another carnival... I think that it is time for a re-cap of this years fair and a look forward to next years events.

This year brought new food (chocolate covered bacon) as well as old favorites (cheese curds and pronto pups), new rides, and new health concerns. However even with the outbreak of H1N1 at the Fair, I would have to say that MN State Fair Officials handled it all calmly and with the best interest of Minnesotans and Fair Visitors at top of mind.

My favorites from this year:
1) Cheese Curds, always at the top of the list
2) Summer Shandy, a great way to beat the heat
3) Jason Aldean at the Grandstand
4) Techno Power in the Midway
5) and the Big Bucket O' Fries

See you all next year at the Great Minnesota Get Together!

Attendance Record Broken!

The Minnesota State Fair reached a daily attendance record today with 114, 439 people attending today. On the same day last year only 103,974 people attended the fair and in 2007 79,192 attended. Today's increased attendance is indicative of how the fair has gone so far this year, it is possible that the total fair attendance record will be broken after this weekend. Some fair analysts think that because of the slow economy, Minnesotans opted to skip the summer vacation and instead journey to the Great Minnesota Get Together.

If you can't make it out today, head to the State Fair this weekend... before you have to wait a whole year to go! If you make it out tomorrow make sure to get A Prairie Home Companion Tickets and watch as Garrison Keillor gives his report of the News from Lake Wobegon!

H1N1 Should Not Detract Fair Goers officials say

Earlier today it was announced that 4-H participants who had been staying in a fair dorm were being sent home with confirmed cases of the H1N1 (Swine) Flu Virus. Although precautionary steps were immediately taken and 120 4-H participants were sent home because they came into contact with the sick kids, Minnesota State Fair officials say that there is no need to panic or avoid the fair.

A report from public health officials and the state fair said, "public is in no increased danger and should not avoid the fair". Which is good news for me because my fair plans include a trip tomorrow, but its hard to eat food on a stick if you are wearing a surgical mask.

Fair goers are encouraged to not change any attendance plans but rather to practice good hand-washing and careful sharing of fair treats. H1N1 spreads like other common flu viruses, so washing hands and avoiding sharing anything with people who are or could be affected are wise ways to avoid getting sick.

The Great Minnesota Get Together Opens Today!

The Minnesota State Fair opened today August 27th and will run through Labor Day September 7th. This years fair offers more to do and see than ever before, making fair-goers decide what exactly it is they want out of their fair experience

To make it easier for you I have created my Top 10 Fair Events, Smells, and Tastes for 2009... feel free to follow it, modify it or comment back and let me know what I forgot.

10. Eat a Pronto Pup

9. Chase the Pronto Pup with Root Beer from Root Beer Barrels

8. Attend the Jason Aldean Concert at the MN State Fair Grandstand

7. Pick up a Bucket of Sweet Martha's

6. Eat the Sweet Martha's on my way to the Kelly Clarkson State Fair Concert

5. Watch the State Fair Parade held daily at 2:00

4. Eat a second Pronto Pup with a side of cheese curds

3. Avoid the Deep Fried Twinkies stand at all costs

2. Ride Midways Rides (especially the new Big Ben) until I regret the 2nd Pronto Pup

1. Eat as many things on a stick as possible (including Cheese on a stick, Fiddlesticks, Chicken on a stick, and Pizza on a Stick)

O.A.R. and special Guests to appear at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand

In the late 1990’s acoustic soft rock and catchy lyrics were the hottest thing… and O.A.R. a five-man band from Ohio capitalized on the trend and their talent. With a plethora of hits and lots of high selling albums over a decade later, Of A Revolution is still growing strong and continues to gather new fans every day.

O.A.R. will be playing at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand on Wednesday September 2nd at 6:00 p.m. with special guests Slightly Stoopid and Brett Dennen. This show is going to be a great one, currently O.A.R. is touring old hits like “A Crazy Game of Poker” and “Love and Memories” along with new hits like “Shattered” and “This Town” off of the band’s sixth studio album “All Sides”. Don’t miss this concert!

Kelly Clarkson MN State Fair Concert

Weather you were an American Idol fan from the beginning or you jumped on the Kelly Bandwagon after her Idol success, unless you consciously avoid music you have head one of this super-stars songs. From her original hit “A moment like this” to her second album success with “Breakaway” and “Miss Independent” Kelly has proven over and over again that she was not just a TV one-hit wonder, the pop-star from Burleson, Texas has true talent. Kelly Clarkson will be performing all of her old hits along with her new material at the Minnesota State Fair in the Grandstand on Sunday August 30th at 7:30.

Performing with Kelly is music newcomer Eric Hutchison. Hutchison debuted in 2007 and blew up recently with his hit “Rock and Roll”. Perhaps this tour is a precursor to a Clarkson-Hutchison duet? They at least have a catchy name thing going for them! Tickets are still available, but my guess is they will go fast as the fair gets closer so buy them soon if you plan on catching this great show!

Minnesota State Fair Dates

Don’t forget…the 2009 Minnesota State Fair runs August 27 through Labor Day, September 7.

Minnesota State Fair Concerts

Here is the list of Minnesota State Fair Concerts for 2009:

BonTaj Roulet: Bonnie Raitt & Taj Mahal – Alone & Together at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27.

Jason Aldean at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28.

Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29.

Kelly Clarkson with special guest Eric Hutchinson at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30.

An evening with Jackson Browne at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31.

Randy Travis with special guest Joe Nichols at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1.

O.A.R. and special guest Brett Dennen at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2.

Christian group Casting Crowns at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3.

A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor at 7:45 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4.

REO Speedwagon and STYX with special guest 38 Special at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5.

Comedian Jeff Dunham at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7.