Minnesota State Fair – What’s New in 2017?

Posted by Omega | Aug 7, 2017

The Great Minnesota Get-Together, a.k.a. the Minnesota State Fair, has been drawing crowds since 1859. Nearly two million people went last year, making the 2016 Minnesota State Fair the best-attended in history.

To keep people coming year after year, organizers regularly add new attractions. Here’s a look at what’s new at the Minnesota State Fair in 2017.

  • Food: There are always some new deep-fried tasty treats at the Minnesota State Fair, and this year is no exception. Look for cherry bombs (red licorice dipped in batter, deep-fried and dusted with powdered sugar), deep-fried avocado slices, and duck bacon wontons (duck bacon, grilled sweet corn and cream cheese combined inside deep-fried crescent-shaped wontons and served with dipping sauce) this year. Overall, there are 31 new foods and four new food vendors.
  • Great Big Wheel: The tallest traveling Ferris wheel in North America will carry riders 15 stories high into the sky for breathtaking views of the State Fairgrounds and beyond the Twin Cities.
  • The Veranda: Honoring the architecture, heritage and character of the historic Grandstand, The Veranda is a new shop-eat-sip destination on the west side of the Grandstand’s upper level merchandise and shopping area. Boutique-style shopping at nearly 20 vendors showcases vintage, trendy, upcycled, handmade and made-in-Minnesota goods. The new Hideaway Speakeasy features artisanal appetizers, breakfast ciabattas and panini sandwiches using seasonal and local ingredients, as well as a selection of craft beer and Minnesota wine.
  • The Great Minnesota Knit Together: Minnesota’s largest yarnbomb – a form of street art featuring crocheted, knitted and other crafted yarn creations – will blanket topiaries on the Grandstand Ramp. Clever, whimsical and colorful, the photo-worthy vignettes are the handiwork of Knitteapolis, Midwest Machine Knitters’ Collaborative, Minnesota Knitters’ Guild, Crochet Twin Cities, and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities, along with crafters from throughout Minnesota and across the country.
  • NHL Centennial Fan Arena: Celebrate a century’s worth of the National Hockey League’s most extraordinary teams, spectacular players and unforgettable moments. Two 53-foot trailers showcase videos, photos and historic memorabilia. Youth can show off their skills on a pop-up ball hockey rink. Fair guests can race against fans across North America to create the perfect sheet of ice aboard a mini-Zamboni virtual reality ice resurfacer. Special guests will stop by and, on Sept. 1 and 2 only, the oldest and most-revered trophy in professional sports – the Stanley Cup – makes an appearance.
  • Evine at the Fair: Evine, Minnesota’s own entertainment video retailer, will be broadcasting live from the State Fair into more than 87 million homes with celebrity guests Paula Deen and John O’Hurley, Seinfeld’s J. Peterman. Pull up a bleacher seat at the virtual studio as Paula whips up a dish in the kitchen and John, the puppy whisperer, demonstrates tricks for pet parents. Stay for meet and greets, a chance to play on-air host and other fun activities.
  • An Evening with Equine: Grace, gentleness, power and precision are all on display in this special evening showcasing a breadth of equine artistry:
    • Northern Lake Vaulters displays the art of equestrian vaulting, a combination of dance and gymnastics on the back of a moving horse.
    • We Can Ride demonstrates how therapeutic riding, hippotherapy and equine-assisted learning can impact the lives of children and adults with disabilities or special needs.
    • Windy Ridge Riders Drill Team performs a precision drill exercise requiring teamwork, timing, steady spacing, speed control and good horsemanship.
  • New Kidway Ride: Little tykes travel ‘round and ‘round and up and down aboard the new Clown Around ride.

The 2017 Minnesota State Fair runs Aug. 24 – Labor Day, Sept. 4. Check out the Minnesota State Fair website for the list of Grandstand artists and other information to plan your visit.