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DNT’ers offer tips for the Great Minnesota Get-Together

Been there, done that. A handful of News Tribuners have already plowed through (at least some of the) 322-acres of the Minnesota State Fair and have advice about it. Whether it's what to eat (get the rainbow roll, seriously) or where to take a se...

One of the main gates on Snelling Avenue at the Minnesota State Fair. Clint Austin / caustin@duluthnews.com
One of the main gates on Snelling Avenue at the Minnesota State Fair. Clint Austin / caustin@duluthnews.com

 

Been there, done that. A handful of News Tribuners have already plowed through (at least some of the) 322-acres of the Minnesota State Fair and have advice about it. Whether it's what to eat (get the rainbow roll, seriously) or where to take a selfie with Paul Bunyan, we've got you covered.

Here are some tips from the fair-goers. The 12-day, oh-so Minnesota spectacle ends Sept. 3.

 

Eco Experience

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I enjoyed a victory at the water taste-test table inside the Eco Experience. Fair-goers are given three water samples: St. Paul tap water, well water and Duluth tap water. Duluthians will be happy to hear that their water sparkles above the rest - at least, from my point of view.

Other exhibits in the Eco building were fun for the kids, too. There's a free air-hockey table and foosball. The giant Paul Bunyan is selfie-worthy. Learn about recycling, garbage disposal, energy efficiency and the like. It's also one of the cleaner buildings (ahem) you can hike through.

Beverly Godfrey, features editor

Fast food

If you're into all things on-a-stick, the Minnesota State Fair's website offers a slick resource for finding the featured new foods: a numbered list of the foods that includes its building or cross-streets, and a corresponding map. It's even printable for those who like folding and unfolding more than swiping and enlarging. We picked eight new foods to try and found a concise route from stop to stop. Granted, this was all-consuming and we didn't see any seed art, but we did eat our way through the list and universally decided that it is a good idea to wrap cotton candy around Fruity Pebbles and three scoops of Superman ice cream. (Rainbow cloud roll, No. 15.)

Christa Lawler, features reporter

'It's a girl!'

As soon as we entered the Miracle of Birth Center over the loudspeakers we heard, "It's a girl!" Moving further into the crowded barn we saw a mob gathered around a large pig laying an animal pen on a table and saw live footage on video screens of her giving birth. People strained to see the piglets and tried to capture the moment with their smartphones. No matter how tightly packed together we were, everyone seemed happy and untroubled by the heat and humidity. We moved further into the crowd to catch glimpses of the brand new pigs before checking out the newborn kids (baby goats), calves, ducklings, and chicks. There are plenty of animals to pet and interact with as well as sinks and hand sanitizer stations everywhere to clean up with afterward.

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Clint Austin, photographer

Fork the pork

If you like calories, the Fair is the place to go. If Pronto Pups, alligator-on-a-stick, pork chop-on-a-stick, bratwurst with sauerkraut, roasted corn on the cob, cheese curds, 32 oz. cup of french fries, mini donuts, cheese bread, chocolate ice cream and a bucket of Sweet Martha's cookies aren't enough, you can always make two trips to the Big Fat Bacon stand. And try to do it twice during the State Fair's 12-day run.

Rick Weegman, sports editor

Bench right

Don't pay for water: Bring your own bottle instead. There are water bottle filling stations located at several of the restrooms. If you're tired and looking for a comfortable place to sit down, avoid the benches in front of the Kidway. The beeping from the Cars, Motorcycles & Dune Buggies ride will drive you away quickly.

Barrett Chase, night editor

Palate cleansers

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The Great Minnesota Get Together offers a seemingly infinite number of food items and beverages to try. Sometimes, those items can cling to your palate longer than you'd like. To avoid finding out what it's like to wash down a Martha's cookie with a dill pickle kolsch, carry a few disposable mini toothbrushes. They're pocket and purse-friendly and can ensure you have a clean tastebud slate for feasting on everything the fair has to offer.

Peter Baumann, managing editor

 

Bathroom awareness

If you want to know where the bathrooms are, grab a paper map or download a PDF of it on to your phone. Being 39 weeks pregnant I was always looking for the bathrooms and the Minnesota State Fair app map doesn't have them marked.

Adelle Whitefoot, general assignment reporter

 

Take advantage of the SkyGlider

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If you can squeeze your car into the Camel Lot or Buffalo Lot, pay to take the SkyGlider home. You can make your way from deep fried treat to deep fried treat, preferably ending with an order bleu cheese and corn fritz at the Blue Barn washed down with some blueberry basil lemonade. With the temperature rising and the pit stains growing, you'll be glad you saved some money to take the SkyGlider back to your soon-to-be air conditioned vehicle.

Jamey Malcomb, Lake County News-Chronicle reporter

Think small

The Great Minnesota Get Together has transformed into the Great Minnesota Drink Together. It is unofficially one of the best craft brew festivals of the summer. To get the most out of all the new and unique brews that are exclusive to the fair, resist the urge to purchase that 20 ounce pour and instead, save your money (and blood alcohol content) and get the 12 ounce cup. Better yet, visit the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild at the Agriculture/Horticulture building and buy a flight of four 5-ounce samples for $10. Summit also has a good bang-for-your-buck flight of three brews for under $10 dubbed "Summit on a stick." Seriously, think small, because no one needs 20-ounces of beer that tastes like dill pickle or sweet corn.

Matt Wellens, college hockey reporter and wannabe beer reviewer

State Fair Blue Ribbon Bargain Book

I'm amazed how many people still don't know about the best $5 you will ever spend at the Fair. The $5 coupon book will pay for itself about 10 times over on each visit. It includes discounts on Midway ride tickets, souvenirs and virtually every kind of food and beverage sold at the Fair (including foot-long hot dogs and corn dogs.) It's always our first stop at the Fair and it's an annual contest to see how many of the 150 coupon items I can eat in one day (with help from the family). We've hit a dozen different foods, all with discounts (usually $2, $3 or more off each item or 2-for 1s). Plus, there's an $8-off coupon for Midway tickets! Buy the book at State FairWear Gift Shops and Bargain Book & State Fair Poster Carts. Next year, buy them at Cub Foods before the Fair.

John Myers, News Tribune Outdoors/Environment reporter and State Fair veteran

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Park and Ride

Seriously, don't drive to the fairgrounds with the hope of maybe, possibly securing a $14 parking spot. Use one of the dozens of free park and ride satellite lots around the Twin Cities. Buses run on constant loop, also free of charge. If you're traveling from the north, the TFC Bank Stadium lot is a quick shot off Interstate 35W with a 5-minute bus ride to the fair.

Tom Olsen, crime and courts reporter

Stay home

Too much of the following: Crowds, heat, calories, money. M-e-h. Let's go for a swim instead.

Brooks Johnson, investigative reporter and party pooper

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