Lifestyle

A State Fair classic: 125 years later, Hamline Church Dining Hall still cooking
The Hamline Church Dining Hall is a Minnesota State Fair tradition that continues to thrive amid the fried ice cream, falafel on a stick, pronto pups, turkey legs and other unusual eats. But it’s not just the food that keeps people coming back.
Appetites live at the state fair with Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl
On the last Appetites, Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl made some predictions about which new state fair foods will get the glory. She returns to see how they held up and fields questions from fairgoers in a special live broadcast from the fairgrounds with MPR News host Tom Crann.
The tight competition for this year's State Fair top baker award
The best bakers of Minnesota submitted their breads, cakes, cookies and pies and this year there was a tie for Supreme Baker — or so they thought. Chad O'Leary and Kimberly Maize both were named the Supreme Bakers for this year. But then in a twist, competition organizers realized they made a mistake. Cathy Wurzer talks with runner-up Chad O’Leary.
Union Hmong Kitchen becomes State Fair's first Hmong restaurant
Nearly 50 years after the first Hmong refugees arrived in the Twin Cities, the Minnesota State Fair has its first Hmong food vendor. Chef Yia Vang’s Union Hmong Kitchen is attracting big crowds to the fair’s International Bazaar.
You're crying, your dog is crying — but are they the same?
A new study says that dogs produce emotional tears similar to how humans do. But not everyone in the veterinary community is convinced.
Minnesota angler catches fresh water jellyfish on camera
A St. Cloud resident discovered freshwater jellyfish during a recent fishing trip. The species is not native to Minnesota, but DNR officials say they aren’t considered invasive and have been in various Minnesota lakes for years.
Infrequently Asked Fair Questions: What happens to the DNR fish after the State Fair is over?
Each year the Minnesota State Fair stocks a pond full of fish at the Minnesota State Fair. But what happens to the fish after the fair is done? MPR News reporter Tim Nelson set out to reel in the answer.
Appetites: Predicting the Minnesota State Fair hits and misses
The Minnesota State Fair is upon us, and all of that food can be daunting. So we called on Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine food writer Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl to get us prepped for what to eat — and also what to avoid.
Minnesota State Fair's new butter carver prepares to create 'dairy' good art
As the rest of Minnesota prepares for warm summer days at the State Fair, Gerry Kulzer is preparing his parka, gloves, and carving tools. He’ll be spending the fair in a 40-degree cooler, carving a new larger-than-life sculpture every day — in butter.