High winds forced the closure of several rides at the Minnesota State Fair Friday afternoon, a fair official said.
At 5 p.m., the shut-down attractions included the SkyGlider, a chairlift-type ride that carries people above crowds for about 10 minutes; the Skyride, an enclosed gondola ride; the Wave Swinger, a large swing ride in the Kidway, and the Sky Wheel, a ferris wheel in the Midway.
Closed but then reopened about 4 p.m. Friday was the Space Tower, the iconic rotating ride that lifts people nearly 300 feet in the air.
Sometimes, winds can knock cables against the Space Tower, "and that's concerning to people," State Fair spokeswoman Brienna Schuette said. "We want people to be comfortable -- and safe."
Bundled-up fans at Garrison Keillor's evening "Prairie Home Companion" show at the Grandstand were warmed up with free hot coffee and cocoa. For a while, it looked like the wind might interfere with plans to record the show, but in the end, technicians were able to make that work.
Saturday's fairgoers will get more sunshine, but it'll still be cool, with a high of only 66. By Sunday, the high will be up to 75 -- just about perfect, many Minnesotans would say.
ANTHONY LONETREE AND JON BREAM
