Local
August 24, 2017
Emily Annexstad poses for a photo after being crowned the 64th Princess Kay of the Milky Way during an evening ceremony at the Minnesota State Fairgro

U student from St. Peter crowned Princess Kay of the Milky Way

Emily Annexstad, representing Nicollet County, will serve as the official goodwill ambassador for more than 3,000 Minnesota dairy farm families.
Eat & Drink
August 23, 2017
Mandy Abdo Sheahan, who just received a 2017 Women in Business award, has long been a force in the local restaurant scene as the founder and general m

Big Fat Bacon purveyor 'commands the room' from her wheelchair

A Maplewood businesswoman takes a "brains-on" approach to running the Big Fat Bacon booth at the fair.
Eat & Drink
August 23, 2017
People come and go from the Hamline Methodist Church Dining Hall in 1948.

Hamline marks 120 years of church dining at the Minnesota State Fair

How time flies! The Hamline Church Dining Hall at the Minnesota State Fair celebrates a big birthday.
Local
August 23, 2017
The Midway at the Minnesota State Fair.

State Fair memories make us true Minnesotans

For generations of Minnesotans, the State Fair's sights, sounds and scents make for some powerful memories.
Local
August 22, 2017
Lee and Bev Bahr, owners of the Lunch Box diner

Tevlin: Reopening State Fair diner is family's rite of August

Lee and Bev Bahr have turned management of the Lunch Box over to the kids, grandkids and great-grandkids, but on Tuesday were still there before first light.
Local
August 22, 2017
Advice for negotiating the crowds at the State Fair: Go early or late, use the app to find food and attractions, and pace yourself.

Bungee jumping and barrels of butter: Notable Minnesotans share their favorite State Fair memories

Variety
August 22, 2017
The Midway at the Minnesota State Fair.

Post your best Minn. State Fair photos to Instagram, get featured in Star Tribune

Are you ready to eat tons of food at the Minnesota State Fair? More important, are you ready to take tons of photos of yourself eating tons of food?
Music
August 19, 2017
R&B star Usher is a fresh act at the fair.

How Minnesota State Fair is winning the battle with casinos for grandstand acts

Despite hot competition from casinos this year, the State Fair grandstand may set an attendance record.
Eat & Drink
August 19, 2017
Who doesn't love Sweet Martha's chocolate chip cookies?

6 Twin Cities chefs dish on their favorite State Fair foods

Sameh Wadi of World Street Kitchen goes for the smoked turkey leg, but it's what he smuggles in to enjoy with it that's noteworthy: "Every year when I walk in I think, 'Is this going to be the year that they bust me?' "
Eat & Drink
August 15, 2017
Freebie alert: Star Tribune's lip balm flavor revealed for Minnesota State Fair

Freebie alert: Star Tribune's lip balm flavor revealed for Minnesota State Fair

"Stick" with the Strib for the best in fairgrounds freebies.
Polls
August 8, 2017

Poll: What's your go-to food at the State Fair?

Variety
August 4, 2017
Rick Nelson, Star Tribune Minnesota State Fair 2016: New food Chocolate Chip Cookie Beer, Andy's Grille

Pickle beer and Red Bull slushies among new brews at State Fair

The State Fair will serve new brews inspired by and flavored with everything from lingonberries, apples and cucumbers to cotton candy, Red Bull and Limoncello.
Eat & Drink
August 2, 2017
Bowl O' Dough is scoops of straight-up, raw cookie dough that is safe to eat and available in four flavors at Blue Moon Dine-In Theater.

Sample new State Fair food at our preview party Aug. 15

It's time to get ready for the 2017 Minnesota State Fair! Join us for a preview party at Star Tribune headquarters — aka #StribHQ — in downtown Minneapolis.
West Metro
July 28, 2017

SouthWest Transit raises fares for State Fair express service

Metro Transit bus and rail fares are not the only ones going up. SouthWest Transit said it's raising fares for its State Fair express service for the first time in 20 years.
Variety
July 26, 2017
State Fair talent show attracts hopefuls, dreamers, maybe a future star

State Fair talent show attracts hopefuls, dreamers, maybe a future star

At open auditions for the Minnesota State Fair's amateur talent contest, anyone can take a shot at stardom.
Business
July 21, 2017
Sweet Martha’s employees processed chocolate chip cookie dough through the dolloping machine. The dough comes together partly by trial and erro

How much do top State Fair vendors make? It's millions for some, report says

Sweet Martha's gobbles up more than 8 percent of the fair's food revenue with $4 million.
Variety
July 20, 2017
Celebrity chef Paula Deen

Hockey, Paula Deen and yet more food among new State Fair attractions

Along with the previously announced tallest traveling Ferris wheel in North America, several other new Minnesota State Fair attractions were revealed this morning ranging from a celebration of the NHL's centennial to yarn-inspired street art to an appearance by celebrity chef Paula Deen.
Music
June 27, 2017
The Pointer Sisters

Free acts at State Fair band shell include Pointer Sisters, Tanya Tucker, Foghat

Also at the free venue are George Clinton, Chris Janson and Hippo Campus.
Eat & Drink
June 20, 2017
Sonoran Sausage One Bad Dog

Minnesota State Fair reveals 31 new foods including pizza burritos, cookie dough

Deep-fried avocados and sweet corn-blueberry eclairs also are among the many new delights that will make their debut when the Great Minnesota Get-Together opens Aug. 24.
Local
June 8, 2017
2017 Minnesota State Fair art released

2017 Minnesota State Fair art released

St. Paul artist Ta-coumba Aiken said he visited the State Fair 12 times in nine days last year for inspiration.

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.