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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.

Here’s a guide to what to know before you go to the 2026 Minnesota State Fair, including information on tickets, transportation, attractions, what to bring and ways to save.

Hmong corndogs, cheese curd lumpia: Minnesota State Fair expands menu with global fusions

Hmong corndogs, cheese curd lumpia: Minnesota State Fair expands menu with global fusions

Among this year’s new food hits at the fair are more international foods — and some that borrow from the fair’s on-a-stick and deep-fried traditions. Chefs and fair food curators say it’s an intentional expansion.
by Estelle Timar-Wilcox

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How the State Fair launched the career of a Minnesota culinary icon

How the State Fair launched the career of a Minnesota culinary icon

Beatrice Ojakangas, 92, who won blue ribbons at the fair as a teen, went on to write more than 30 cookbooks, hobnob with cooking legends and invent one of the most famous frozen finger foods.
by Dan Kraker

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State Fair forecast: Rain wraps up just as the fair is opening for business

State Fair forecast: Rain wraps up just as the fair is opening for business

High winds will move across southern Minnesota early Wednesday, likely including the Minnesota State Fair. After that, we have a quiet day with comfortable temperatures and humidity plus increasing sunshine.
by Ben Cathey

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Crop artists react after State Fair removes anti-Trump ‘8647’ piece due to harassment

Crop artists react after State Fair removes anti-Trump ‘8647’ piece due to harassment

A crop artist asked the Minnesota State Fair to remove their artwork from the crop art competition after they said they received threats for its political content. Many in the crop art community say it’s unprecedented.
by Alex V. Cipolle

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Family, friends remember farmer who supplied Minnesota State Fair's Corn Roast

Family, friends remember farmer who supplied Minnesota State Fair's Corn Roast

For more than two decades, farmer Jerry Untiedt supplied each year’s Minnesota State Fair with hundreds of thousands of ears of fresh sweet corn for the Corn Roast stand. He passed away in July.
by Estelle Timar-Wilcox

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30 years ago this couple said ‘I do’ on top of the Giant Slide at the Minnesota State Fair

30 years ago this couple said ‘I do’ on top of the Giant Slide at the Minnesota State Fair

Stacey Pittroff-Barona and Rob Barona met at the fair and later decided to get married at the top of the Giant Slide, paying homage to Pittroff-Barona’s family business and the couple’s love of the fair.
by Sam Stroozas

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