Photo courtesy the Minnesota State Fair

Do you ever wish the Minnesota State Fair was at the beginning of August instead of the end so we don’t always have to associate it with such a depressing reality, the end of summer? It’s the last big event before school starts and the dreaded white fluffy stuff graces us with its presence, so I say we enjoy it while we can!

Did you know the Minnesota State Fair is the largest 12-day event in North America, attracting nearly 1.8 million visitors annually? Minnesota’s State Fair is the third largest event in the country and the second largest State Fair in the country.

The Minnesota State Fair offers more than 450 foods (most of them on a stick) available at 300-plus food concessions. Among the many attractions and entertainment options the fair has to offer, I think I can speak for most when I say I am most excited about the food. The State Fair allows for a time to eat without feeling guilty or counting calories and I don’t know about you, but I have been waiting for this moment all year.

Photo courtesy the Minnesota State Fair

This year, the State Fair will be offering several new foods, rides, attractions & exhibits to keep things exciting. To name a few, the Giant Sing Along, the Flippenout Extreme Trampoline Show, the Breakfast Lollipop, chocolate-covered jalapeno peppers on-a-stick, deep-fried cookie dough, the Grilled Yankee Apple Pie & Chocolate Sandwich and Northwoods Salad on-a-Stick. Here’s more information on what’s new at the state fairin 2011.

What’s your favorite thing about the Minnesota State Fair? What’s your favorite State Fair food? What are you most looking forward to at the fair this year? How many times do you plan to attend this year? What’s your favorite memory from the State Fair? Do you have any State Fair traditions?

To test your knowledge of The Great Minnesota Get-Together, here’s some fun fair trivia!

See you at the fair!