State Fair

The 2026 Minnesota State Fair runs Aug. 27 through Sept. 7. For all of the events at the MPR booth and Dan Patch Park, go to mpr.org/statefair.

Help me become a blue ribbon baker
Thousands of Minnesotans enter the Minnesota State Fair baking competitions, but only a handful come away with a blue ribbon.
Crop artists scramble in response to news of Walz as VP pick
As the Minnesota State Fair crop art submissions deadline approaches, a crop artist adapts her entry to reflect Gov. Tim Walz being chosen as Kamala Harris’ vice presidential pick.
Sips for the Minnesota State Fair: 63 specialty drinks announced for 2024
When the Minnesota State Fair kicks off on Thursday, Aug. 22, you’ll have plenty of options to sip with your Pronto Pup. Here’s all the newly-announced drinks coming to the 2024 Minnesota State Fair and where you can find them.
New, returning transit options for the 2024 Minnesota State Fair
The Minnesota State Fair is approaching fast, and the hundreds of thousands of people who’ll be attending this year’s fair will have some new options for getting there.
‘Foodiest foodie fair ever:’ A critic dishes on new 2024 Minnesota State Fair foods
James Beard Award-winning food writer Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl dishes on the ins and outs of this years new State Fair food list. What’s gourmet and what’s gimmicky?
Behind the scenes of the new State Fair foods: How do vendors get picked?
There are 33 new foods and six new vendors for the Minnesota State Fair, but how does someone get a spot to sell food at the fair? Maria Hayden explains how vendors make the cut.
Ready, set, eat: Here are the new foods that'll be at the 2024 Minnesota State Fair
Sweet corn cola floats, sweet heat bacon, Swedish ice cream sundaes and a host of other creative culinary concoctions: Start planning your taste tour, the list of new food offerings at this year’s Minnesota State Fair is out.