Minnesota State Fair

The Minnesota State Fair (also called " The Great Minnesota Get- Together" ) with 1.7 million visitors one of the largest State Fairs in the United States. It takes place annually in Falcon Heights near St. Paul, Minnesota instead.

With the population in the Minnesota State Fair is very popular. In addition to cattle flaunt the inhabitants various arts and crafts show. Also, new products are introduced and offered various rides. The twelve-day, carnival -like event is usually from late August through Labor Day in early September instead of on an area of ​​130 hectares. In 2008 he was visited by 1,693,533 people.

History

For the first time a Territorial Fair was held in Minnesota in 1854. A year after Minnesota became a state, took place in 1859, the first State Fair. Since then it has been organized, with few exceptions annually. During the Civil War and the Sioux uprising in the years 1861 and 1862, the State Fair fell out. Even in the year of the World Fair in Chicago in 1893, he did not take place. The next interruption was in the years 1945 and 1946. After the end of the Second World War, the gasoline had become scarce, the State Fair could not take place in the following year due to the outbreak of polio.

In the early years the venue changed regularly. Especially between Minneapolis and St. Paul, a rivalry had been found, so that in the 1870s, both cities organized at times competing Fairs. Only in 1884 a committee of the Minnesota State Agricultural Society was set up to search a permanent venue. Thus in Falcon Heights, a place which is about equidistant from both cities, the selected Ramsey County Poor Farm. On September 7, 1885, opened for the first time the state fair.

One of the first traditions was the creation of sculptures made of butter. Since the 1960s, a Princess Kay of the Milky Way every year, initiated by Minnesota's dairy industry, selected, whose head serves as a template for the butter sculpture.

Initially, the State Fair was primarily focused on the agricultural exhibits and shows. Only with time, it developed into a mixture of the traditional farming and modern elements, and entertainment.

Attractions

  • A fundamental part of the State Fair continues to be the cattle show. Many different types of animals are exhibited. The best examples of each type will be awarded in shows with the Blue Ribbon Award.
  • A wide range of different foods, which are often " on a stick " is offered. Many foods are associated with the agricultural economy of Minnesota. Also popular are, for example, cotton candy, milkshakes, Corn Dogs and Pronto Pups.
  • On the " Machinery Hill " variety of vehicles and machines are presented from agriculture. Some years was the State Fair, the largest annual exhibition of agricultural equipment in the world.
  • On the " Midway " There are various entertainment and rides.
  • In addition to various exhibitions on the State Fair and other events such as concerts, comedy shows, a talent competition or product demonstrations.

Gallery

Exhibited wood sculpture

Corn Dogs " on a stick "

Space Tower at the State Fair

Falcon Heights (Minnesota) Saint Paul (Minnesota)
574516
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