1975: State Fair food back in the day

Fair food
Simpler times for fair food in 1975.
Minnesota Historical Society

Food at the Minnesota State Fair these days is a fast and furious game of one-upsmanship. It seems each year someone comes up with an even crazier food to put on a stick.

Fairgoers can find treats such as pork chops on a stick, deep fried cheeseburger sliders and fried fruit (on a stick or on its own).

In 1975, the fair definitely was a place to over stuff yourself, but times were simpler.

In this report, MPR's Connie Goldman gives a whirlwind tour of what people were eating at the fair that year. Food that would barely get your average foodie of 2010 to bat an eye -- popcorn, cotton candy, bratwurst, and Pronto Pups -- were featured attractions. Notice nothing starts with "fried" or ends in "on a stick."

Be sure to listen to the whole story. There's a great (read: strange) rendition of the theme to the M*A*S*H television show played by a marching band.

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