For Immediate Release

Minneapolis (Aug. 21, 2019) – Tomorrow, the gates are thrown open and approximately two million people will experience the one-of-a-kind “Great Minnesota Get-Together.” Since 1859, the Minnesota State Fair has been attracting people who love farm animals, Midway thrill rides and every kind of food on a stick – including last year’s record-breaking 2,046,533 visitors over the span of 12 days. Here are our Top 5 reasons to visit the Minnesota State Fair between Aug. 22 and Sept. 2:

1. The Food

Number one, of course, has to be the food. There are more than 300 food vendors who sell over 500 options. For the classic, fan favorites, make sure to try Fresh French Fries and Sweet Martha’s Cookies. Martha has three locations, so you never have to go too far without hot chocolate chip cookies. (Go ahead and get the bucket.) Every year there are new items vying to be the most unique and tasty on the Fair’s always growing menu. For 2019, the most anticipated items include the Cheesy Siracha Funnel Cake Bites, Fried Tacos on a Stick and Duck Drummies. Pace yourselves.

2. The Shopping Scene

If you want to grab some Minnesota-made goods and all the items you didn’t know you needed, check out the shopping scene with over 50 new vendors for 2019. West End Market has handmade goods, Minnesota-themed apparel and popular products like soaps and artwork. The International Bazaar has treasures from all over the world – you’ll feel like you’re in Guatemala, France, Mexico, Australia and more. The two-level marketplace that’s inside the Grandstand building will have you ordering a new mattress and grabbing a food processor. That’s just the start. So prepare to be delighted and make sure to have a shopping bag (or a wheeled cart) handy.

3. The Rides

Three new rides, including Sea Ray and Zero Gravity at the Midway, and a new merry-go-round in the Kidway, will have you spinning in 2019. Fair purists will want to try the classics, such as the Giant Slide, Go Karts, Space Tower and SkyGlider. Make time for the Great Big Wheel; it is one of the tallest traveling Ferris wheels in North America that also provides a great view of the fairgrounds, and even downtown Minneapolis.

4. The Entertainment

Music is a large part of the State Fair experience. Get your tickets for the national acts at the Grandstand such as Hootie & the Blowfish, Dierks Bentely, Logic and more. But the entertainment does not stop there: over 900 shows and 100 live acts grace stages across the fairgrounds, including homegrown favorites in the annual State Fair Amateur Talent Competition. You’ll find radio and television live broadcasts, dancing demos and entertainment opportunities where you can learn how to pickle, quilt and keep bees.

5. The One-of-a-Kind Minnesota Experience

The Minnesota State Fair offers more to visitors than food and rides; it’s a full-on, record-breaking Minnesota experience. Nearly 200 animals, including calves, lambs and piglets are born during the fair at the CHS Miracle of Birth Center; Enjoy equestrian competitions, wander through barns with award-winning animals, or tour the Eco Experience building and gather easy tips for leading a more sustainable life. The Education Building, Creative Activities, the 4H Building and more will surround you with innovation and locally created goods and products. Even if you’re not from the great state of Minnesota, the State Fair is sure to make you feel like a true Minnesotan or want to become one.

More Minnesota State Fair Information

For more information, our Meet Minneapolis online guide to the Minnesota State Fair offers insights on getting to the fair and buying tickets, as well as a host of insider tips. See this year’s lineup of nightly concerts at the Grandstand here: www.mnstatefair.org/grandstand/.

###

ABOUT MEET MINNEAPOLIS

Meet Minneapolis is a private, not-for-profit, member-based association. It actively promotes and sells the Minneapolis area as a destination for conventions and meetings, works to maximize the visitor experience and markets the city as a desirable tourist destination to maximize the economic benefit to the greater Minneapolis area.

Meet Minneapolis is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) of Destinations International.

CONNECT WITH US

Online: www.minneapolis.org and for deals and exclusive experiences: http://go.minneapolis.org

On Facebook: www.facebook.com/meetminneapolis

On Twitter: www.twitter.com/meetminneapolis

On Instagram: www.instagram.com/meetminneapolis

Watch: Here, “Minne” is an understatement

MEDIA CONTACTKristen Montag, Meet Minneapolis Senior PR and Communications Manager, 612-767-8038, KristenM@minneapolis.org, @Minneapolis_PR on Twitter

Or email: MeetMinneapolisPR@minneapolis.org.