Minnesota State Fair 2014: More fun than you can handle

It’s that time of year again! The Minnesota State Fair 2014 runs from August 21st through Labor Day Weekend. I couldn’t be more excited to experience the Great Minnesota Get Together again.

OK, yes. I hate crowds, but I seem to be able to handle my crowd-phobia fairly well at the Minnesota State Fair. There’s so much to see and so much to do to distract me from my fears, plus there’s plenty of booze.

Minnesotans take their State Fair seriously and for good reason. It’s pro-level state fairing. It’s like no other state or county fair I’ve been to, but then again, I’ve only been to a few. Texas might rival it, but I’ll bet not many other states even come close.

Minnesota State Fair 2014: New foods

How many foods on a stick can you have in one place? There are five new ones on the new foods list, not to mention beer flavored gelato and Jello Salad ice cream.  How do people find new ways to deep fry and/or stick food on a stick each year?  It’s amazing.  You can read the complete list of new foods here.

Of course, there are also the state fair standbys like Sweet Martha’s Cookies.  I understand why people line up to get those suckers.  So good! I really hope they have the beer tasting again this year. It was fun to get a flight of local brew at the fair. At this writing, the fun finder is not active, so I can’t see what’s in store…yet!

Minnesota State Fair 2014: New attractions

Personally, I am amazed at the world famous butter sculptures. These women sit in a refrigerated box for 6 to 8 hours while someone sculpts their likeness out of butter.  Each year a new woman is crowned Princess Kay of the Milky Way and she and the other finalists are the subjects of the butter busts.

This year, the State Fair will debut its new West End Market. The whole area has been revamped to include Minnesota State Fair History & Heritage Center, KSTP Heritage Plaza, and a transit hub. Of course, there will be more food vendors in the West End area too.

The Bull Riders of America will be at the fair this year, showing off their trick ponies and bull riding skills. If research is your thing. the University of Minnesota has a new Driven to Discover building where you can take part in a variety of research subjects.

Minnesota State Fair 2014: Getting there

The mass transit system for the State Fair is amazing. All around Saint Paul area they have various Park & Ride locations which are free. Traffic and parking at the State Fair can be kind of a nightmare, so why not let someone else do it? Last year I noticed that the even during the week these places can fill up fast, so if you don’t get there early, be prepared to wait for a spot to park or have to drive to a different Park & Ride spot.

What’s your favorite thing about the State Fair or the state/county fair where you live?

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