The Minnesota State Fair we're all missing this year

The Minnesota State Fair was scheduled to kick off on Thursday, but there is no fair this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

MPR News host Angela Davis paid tribute to all the things we love about the State Fair: the food, the rides, the live music and entertainment, farm animals, looking at the winning cakes and crop art ... and yes, even the crowds. 

Guests:

• Brenna Connelly is Princess Kay of the Milky Way. She is from Byron, Minnesota, in Olmsted County and studies agricultural education and animal science at the University of Minnesota.

• Nolan Hanson is a senior in high school from Roseau in northwestern Minnesota. He is serving in his second year as a Minnesota 4-H State Ambassador.

• Brianna Klouse is a junior in high school from Rose Creek in southeastern Minnesota. She has just started her first year serving as a Minnesota 4-H State Ambassador.

• Carol Marsh is an award-winning State Fair baker from Duluth, Minnesota.

• Thuy-Vy Bui is the co-owner of Que Viet Concessions, home of the giant egg roll on a stick.

• Stacey Pittroff-Barona and her husband own and operate the Giant Slide and the Cheese-on-a-Stick and lemonade stand.