They call it the Great Minnesota Get Together and it starts on Thursday. The state fair's a big deal in these parts with over one and a half million people attending the twelve day event held on 340 acres in St. Paul. I can go and spend an entire day moseying around, something I never do. My dh hates the fair, but I love it. All of it. 
Rides and games in the midway. Music in the grandstand. Vehicle exhibits, cars, RVs, boats, tractors. Shopping, beer gardens, home improvements. Various competitions, from gardening to quilting, talent contests to horse shows. My personal favorite, the animal barns. Every year I gotta go see the state’s largest hog.
And then there’s the food. Standard fare like mini-donuts, pronto pups and cotton candy. Midwest favorites like cheese curds and corn on the cob and all you can drink milk. Are Sweet Martha’s chocolate chip cookies a Minnesota thang?
Every year they come up with some new “on-a-stick” treats. I love the pork chops and jerky, but I think they’ve been reaching these past few years. Alligator? Deep fried candy bars? I don’t care if they’re on a stick or not, I’m not interested. Get this one. Ole and Lena’s hot dish on-a-stick? Can’t wait to see that one. Apparently, it comes with a gravy dipping sauce. Eww.
I looked up a food list on the fair’s website and here are some other interesting ones: asparagus and celery (huh?), bug juice (ick), chocolate potato chips (you’ve got to be kidding me), Minnekabobs (cute), and Wilbur beans (what the heck?). Anyone for a Gizmo sandwich?
I have a friend who plans her route around the fair grounds based on where her favorite foods are located. That’s dedication. I just go and meander around, eat way too much, get hot and sticky and leave feeling sick. What a great time.
Are state/county fairs a big deal where you live? Are you a fair goer or is it the kind of thing you have to be dragged to kicking and screaming? What’s your favorite thing to do or eat?
