When it came time to choose the flavor for the Minnesota Star Tribune’s new State Fair lip balm, we didn’t have to look far. We’re still working through last year’s more than 1,200 great reader submissions.
Suggestions ranged from honey and Honeycrisp apple to Top the Tater and Tater Tot hot dish, with a few nods for walleye, lefse, egg roll on a stick and cherry (on a spoon, of course) thrown in. This year’s unanimous winner was chosen because of its deep ties to Minnesota: Norway Pine.
Also called red pine, the Norway pine is known for its long needles and stately presence, and was named the official state tree in 1953. This year the lip balm comes with an ecological bonus: We’re partnering with the Minnesota DNR and its Future Forest Fund to plant a tree seedling for every digital subscription sold throughout the State Fair. The trees will be planted in the spring of 2026.
Getting your Norway Pine lip balm is easy. The Minnesota Star Tribune, in partnership with Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, will be giving tubes away throughout the day during the run of the fair (one per person, while supplies last) starting opening day, Aug. 21. Find us on Carnes Avenue, at the end of the grandstand ramp.
This is the 17th year of the Star Tribune’s lip balm giveaway, and the flavors have run the gamut. Last year’s was a tribute to a quintessential Minnesota dessert: Rhubarb Crisp. Before that, the Star Tribune gave a nod to a favorite fair pastime, Crop Art, and collaborated with local fair vendors: In 2022, “blueberry ‘cakes” celebrated the State Fair debut of Al’s Breakfast at Hamline Church Dining Hall, and the year before featured Sweet Martha’s Cookies. Previous years brought a litany of out-of-the-box flavors, including bacon, buttered corn, ketchup and mustard, pickle, brat, fresh-cut grass, mini-doughnut, French fry, “stick,” “traffic cone,” root beer and cheese curd.
What should next year’s flavor be? Email your suggestions to taste@startribune.com.
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