International Bazaar Building Change

Besides all of the new food on a stick hype next year, the Minnesota State fair will be able to boast a new, larger International Bazaar. The old Bizarre was completely demolished and in it’s place will be an intricate maze of more than 100 sales booths and a new stage area. See ya at the fair!

Crazy Food is Coming Up

The Minnesota State Fair is finally arriving this weekend, and after months of anticipation, it looks like the new exhibitions, food and activities at this year’s fair aren’t going to disappoint. For the Minnesota State Fair-goer who always wants to stay on top of the latest food creations at the fair, there will be new additions to the (in)famous on-a-stick treats. They include fried fruit, sloppy joes, Rocky Road scones, corned beef, cabbage(?) and Kool-Aid pickles (I have no idea). The fair is also going to apparently offer peanut butter hot dogs, calamari, and Uffda brats.

Favorite Fair Food

Every year there are a plethora of Minnesota State Fair Food choices. I must admit I usually enjoy at least one new thing at the fair every year, but for the most part I am a traditionalist. I enjoy Cheese Curds, Corn Dogs and Cotton Candy more than anything else. I also like to comsume a Pork Chop on a stick, Cheese on a stick and a fried candy bar on a stick. It’s no wonder I have to wear elastic shorts the week of the great Minnesota get-together. Whatever your taste buds desire, the Minnesota State Fair is sure to have something to satisfy!

State Fair Official 2007 Cup

Many fair goers collect souvenirs from the fair including the official state fair 32 oz drink cup available at all vendors that serve beverages. Here is a picture of the 2007 official Minnesota State Fair Souvenir Cup:

Fair to Offer Strong Beer

Minnesota State Fair officials have decided to allow fair vendors to sell “strong beer” this year at the fair as opposed to the 3.2 varieties that have been beer drinkers only choice in the past. For years the State Fair was the final hold out against full strength beer with 5 percent alcohol, allowing only the weaker 3.2 percentage alternatives. The 3.2 choice has drawn plenty of complaints from fair goers and vendors are thankful that the fair is ready to ante up. Vendors will be able to offer more choices to their customers including local Minnesota brews that only come in full strength. Critics of the change are concerned over increased public drunkenness, but fair officials don’t think there will be any more problems than usual. Even with the moaning and groaning of the 3.2 choice, last year fair visitors managed to drink 91,000 gallons of beer, but most fair goers prefer to eat instead of drink anyway. For example, last year there was 3 million in beer sales and 22 million dollars in food sales! Minnesota State Fair goers definitely love to eat and this year they can drink and be merry, too!

Can a Hat Change the World? Of Course.

So, the question on everyone’s mind is this: What will everyone be wearing on their heads at this year’s Minnesota State Fair? Okay, so maybe not everyone is thinking about this question, but I am. Every year at the Fair, some crazy kind of obnoxious looking hat is the new fad. Don’t tell me you don’t remember the Dr. Seuss Cat in the Hat monstrosities that everyone had a few years ago. The post-Cat in the Hat fallout was so bad after that year’s fair that I saw a middle-age man walking with his baby in a stroller and a striped top hat atop his head. Was that actually not embarrassing at one time to wear in public? Last year’s crazy hat was the fuzzy purple sombrero, no less outlandish then the “cat-hat.” Hopefully the Fair crowd and vendors are able to move past these this year because I’m kind of bored with them. I’m hoping for pirate hats a la Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean. Here’s to the Minnesota State Fair and to the rich tradition of stupid hats that it helps foster!