First-timers and veterans alike should not miss these Minnesota State Fair favorites.

CORN ROAST Ø

Step right up to this always-popular attraction, where juicy, Minnesota-raised sweet corn is roasted in the husk before being shucked and then dunked in butter. No stick required.

Dan Patch Av. and Nelson St.

GIGGLES' CAMPFIRE GRILL

The North Woods setting (complete with roomy picnic area) is a nice touch, but what really sets this stand apart is the deliciously offbeat fare: elk-wild rice meatballs, pan-fried walleye-trout-wild rice cakes, a venison-boar-elk bratwurst and more.

Cooper St. and Lee Av.

LINGONBERRY ICE CREAM

Vanilla takes a back seat when the far-northern cousin to the cranberry is blended into locally made small-batch ice cream. Better yet, order a soda: a tall cup filled with the lovely lilac-tinted ice cream and lingonberry juice that's topped off with fizzy water.

Underwood St. and Carnes Av.

MINNESOTA APPLES

Cool down with the Cider Freeze, an icy, slightly sweet cider shard squeezed into a plastic sleeve. Ahhhhhhh.

Agriculture-Horticulture Building

MINNESOTA HONEY PRODUCERS

Honey-spiked lemonade is a major thirst-quencher, and honey-sunflower and honey-nut-fudge ice creams are fairly effective at nudging the dewpoint a few notches south on a steaming fairgrounds afternoon.

Agriculture-Horticulture Building

RICK NELSON