Eat & Drink
![Owner Gregg Karnis poses for a portrait with a piece of concept art for the new Pronto Pups stand. ] ALEX KORMANN • alex.kormann@startribune.co](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/FA4HUQTFQKANVRJ5POPUCMV22Y.jpg?h=91&w=145&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Find out how the Pronto Pup is made
The iconic Pronto Pup opens a new headquarters at the State Fair — just as fairgoers' eating preferences are evolving.
Variety
![Aretha Franklin performed at the State Fair Grandstand. ] (KYNDELL HARKNESS/STAR TRIBUNE) kyndell.harkness@startribune.com in Falcon Heights Min., Fri](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/XMIHZIS65WT7MWF7NXIQFTHUBQ.jpg?h=91&w=145&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin rules the fair
REVIEW: Many times during her 100-minute set, she reminded 9,647 grandstand-goers why she is the greatest singer in the history of modern popular music — and also one of the more confounding.
Eat & Drink
The big reveal: Star Tribune's lip-balm flavor to take detour at Minnesota State Fair
Will the 2018 version top last year's "stick" flavor (as in lip-balm-on-a-stick)? We think so.
Photography
Memorial service for former State Fair Police Chief Art Blakey
Friends and family of Art Blakey attended a memorial service in his honor at the State Fairgrounds Friday in Falcon Heights, MN. Arthur R. Blakey Jr. passed away August 4, 2018. He was 83. He was the State Fair police chief for many years.
Eat & Drink
Funnel cake beer, 26 more new beverages coming to State Fair
Get ready to drink your way through a big new batch of novelty beers at the fair.
Local
Art Blakey, legendary longtime State Fair police chief, dies at 83
Blakey, who became the fair's chief of police in 1980, had his first job at the fair as a teenager in 1951. He retired from the police chief role last year.
Variety
7 new rides to make State Fair midway that much mightier
Three attractions are billed as the only ones of their kind in North America.
Local
![Interviews at multiple tables were conducted interview at the Minnesota State Job Fair on Tuesday. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ ï cgonzalez@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/ISH4L3WZ4ITGMORESFQ35OMXUA.jpg?h=91&w=145&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Minnesota State Fair recruits hundreds of employees
Job candidates interviewed for work at the Minnesota State Fair's annual job fair.
Music
State Fair's 2018 free stages to feature En Vogue, Har Mar, BoDeans
The nightly roster for the Leinie's Lodge Bandshell will also include Tower of Power and Clay Walker.
Music
State Fair adds Trampled by Turtles, Old Dominion and good ol' Hairball to grandstand lineup
The last three concerts on the Minnesota State Fair's 2018 calendar all go on sale Friday.
Local
Pronto Pup kitchen will replace Robbinsdale dining hall at State Fair
Real pups (and other unbattered pets) also moving.
Eat & Drink
80-year-old Minnesota State Fair fixture has served its last pancake
Robbinsdale OES Dining Hall won't be back when the Great Minnesota Get-Together opens on Aug. 23.
Music
State Fair lands fun '80s throwback concert with Culture Club, B-52s
Tom Bailey of the Thompson Twins also will be on the bill for the Sept. 3 dance party.
Music
Grammy-winning Sugarland headlines night of country music at State Fair grandstand
More main-stage acts will be announced in the coming months, fair officials said.
Variety
![Crowds filled the streets on the last day of the Minnesota State Fair, Monday, September 4, 2017 in Falcon Heights, MN. ] ELIZABETH FLORES ï liz.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/5252TIP67BLVHSVZAWXWIXUL34.jpg?h=91&w=145&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Minnesota State Fair sets another attendance record
Favorable weather and strong grandstand acts helped draw nearly 2 million for the 12 days.
Music
![Sam Hunt (center) rocked the soldout grandstand on Monday. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ ï cgonzalez@startribune.com - September 4, 2017, Falcon Heights, MN,](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/PSJ6ABS7RIAPNIALTPUO4UBJQI.jpg?h=91&w=145&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Sam Hunt proves worthy as genre-blending headliner
The new country star raised the temperature and spirits of the 13,140 fans as soon as he hit the stage with "Leave the Night On."
Explore the
Minnesota State Fair
Coverage of the annual Minnesota State Fair. including food reviews, grandstand concert performances, full daily schedules, live video and a fairground map.
