Scene at the fair

State Fair: It was a bright and stormy day

With food and animals and tractors and rides and thousands of Minnesotans, the State Fair returned, though under a couple of clouds, one called thunderstorm and one called delta on Thursday, August 26, 2021. 
Photos by Star Tribune Staff
August 26, 2021 — 7:25pm

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Justin Stafki, 17, of White Bear Lake, walked away from the Great Big Wheel after a ride with his mother, Barb. They say they were headed somewhere dry as raindrops began to fall.

Aaron Lavinsky, Star Tribune

Cody Wylie, 14, did his best in his first year as pitchman for roasted corn.

Richard Tsong-Taatarii, Star Tribune

Jack Proffit, 15, of Hugo, chilled out with his cow Icon who he will show in the Summer Yearling competition during a rain storm on the first day of the Minnesota State Fair.

Renee Jones Schneider, Star Tribune

The Midway provided plenty of upside down and whirling thrills.

Richard Tsong-Taatarii, Star Tribune

Cordero Jackson of Minneapolis let eight-year-old Cece Moen hold him up with his sword when she showed interest in the pirate costume he had worn.

Renee Jones Schneider, Star Tribune

Piglets, born on August 20, nursed on their mother in the Circle of Life Barn on the first day of the Minnesota State Fair.

Renee Jones Schneider, Star Tribune

Sarah My and Jordan Palma, left and right, took the thunderstorm in stride.

Richard Tsong-Taatarii, Star Tribune

Young fairgoers laughed as they prepared to run into heavy rain at the state fair Thursday.

Aaron Lavinsky, Star Tribune

The Midway provided plenty of upside down and whirling thrills.

Richard Tsong-Taatarii, Star Tribune

Kody Lee, 12, and older sister Hannah, 14, of Ostego, Minn., took a ride on the SkyGlider Thursday afternoon. Hannah is taking it safe by masking at the fair since she’s a type one diabetic. “I am very happy,” Hannah said, before moving onto the next attraction.

Aaron Lavinsky, Star Tribune

Baby ducks, born on Sunday, huddled together in the cool temperatures as it rained on the first day of the Minnesota State Fair.

Renee Jones Schneider, Star Tribune

Deacon Bunnell, 7, of Isanti, insisted on playing in the rain without the poncho his mom Angela Bunnell had brought for him during a downpour on the first day of the Minnesota State Fair.

Renee Jones Schneider, Star Tribune

Elle Allbright of Stillwater got the ok from her mom to run through puddles during the rain on the first day of the Minnesota State Fair.

Renee Jones Schneider, Star Tribune

Fairgoers weathered a heavy rainstorm Thursday afternoon at the state fair.

Aaron Lavinsky, Star Tribune

People took shelter from the down pouring rain under a Fish and Chips stand on the first day of the Minnesota State Fair.

Renee Jones Schneider, Star Tribune

Betsy Bjur and her son, Blake, 13, of Willmar, kept their stuffed animals dry as they were soaked themselves during a rain storm at the state fair Thursday.

Aaron Lavinsky, Star Tribune

A group of fairgoers sought shelter during a rain storm Thursday at the fair.

Aaron Lavinsky, Star Tribune

Fairgoers weathered a heavy rainstorm Thursday afternoon at the state fair.

Aaron Lavinsky, Star Tribune

A group of fairgoers sought shelter during a rain storm Thursday at the fair.

Aaron Lavinsky, Star Tribune

More Scene at the Fair

August 26

After a year apart …

August 27

First day back

August 28

State Fair Foods

August 29

Historic photos

August 31

Kids answer State Fair trivia

August 31

Infrared photography

September 1

Mad Libs

September 2

7 Deadly Sins

September 3

Fleeting moments

September 4

Carnes Avenue

September 5

Portraits

September 6

The year of COVID

Complete State Fair coverage

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