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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.

The Minnesota State Fair in sketches

The Minnesota State Fair in sketches

Every year, a group of artists gather at the Minnesota State Fair to sketch the crowds, the cows and the Pronto Pups. See their artistic take on the fair madness.
by Tracy Mumford

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Weather quiz: Have you kept an eye on Minnesota's skies?

Weather quiz: Have you kept an eye on Minnesota's skies?

From temperature records to unprecedented storms, it's been an eventful year for Minnesota weather. Were you paying attention? Test your knowledge with the annual Minnesota State Fair Weather Quiz.
by MPR News Staff

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It's not a race: 4 tips for mindful eating at the fair

It's not a race: 4 tips for mindful eating at the fair

Dietitian Rasa Troup isn't here to tell you to "eat this, not that" when it comes to the State Fair. Instead, she wants you to slow down, savor each moment and listen to your body.
by Nancy Yang

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Beyond the Stick: A State Fair photo essay

Beyond the Stick: A State Fair photo essay

For photographer Debra Fisher Goldstein, her annual scavenger hunt "focuses on the peculiar, the poignant, the ironic and the iconic moments that happen when our diverse communities gather at the Great Minnesota Get-Together."

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Parting thoughts: Longtime State Fair volunteer to be missed

Parting thoughts: Longtime State Fair volunteer to be missed

Dennis Boom passed away earlier this year. On Wednesday, as the Hamline Church Dining Hall staff prepped for the start of the fair, they remembered Boom for his warmth.
by Cathy Wurzer

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6 moments you might not know from State Fair history

6 moments you might not know from State Fair history

Get a side of history with that Pronto Pup. Only true fair-heads know about all these moments on the fairgrounds.
by Tracy Mumford

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Let it all out: Tell us why you hate the fair

Let it all out: Tell us why you hate the fair

The State Fair has been unleashed: Twelve days of delectable fried foods, adorable baby farm animals and long-standing family traditions. Or, if you look at it another way, it’s nearly two weeks of traffic, sweaty crowds, people chugging milk and strangers parked on your front lawn. The State Fair may be the great Minnesota get-together,…
by Tracy Mumford

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