State Fair visitors love their deep-fried treats, livestock and seed art. But don't underestimate the draw of gawking at local media celebrities.
"It's like being on display at the zoo," said Staci Matthews during a break from her KS95 radio show, "Staci & Hutch," broadcasting live weekdays from behind a glass booth near the Haunted House. "As mentally exhausting as this can be, it's fun to see everyone from little kids to grandparents come and wave. You can see what a wide reach we have."
But the view for this year's star-gazing is cloudier than ever.
Because of the coronavirus, no local TV stations are doing their primary newscasts from the fairgrounds.
Fox 9 News has pulled out completely. The closest thing to a celebrity encounter at its booth is a chance to take a selfie with a picture of anchor Kelcey Carlson.
WCCO Radio has scrapped all fair programming. Visitors to its usually crammed stage are using the seating area to gorge on Sweet Martha's cookies.
Minnesota Public Radio will trot out some of its hosts Friday for a six-hour celebration at Dan Patch Park, but those events won't be broadcast to listeners at home. The only on-air talent at its booth last Thursday afternoon was reporter Tim Nelson, who used the makeshift newsroom to polish off a late lunch.
"We don't want to gather a crowd," said Ellie McKinney, MPR's manager of live events.