State Fair 2025 - Strolling Along

Friday, August 29, 2025

We decided to head over to Blue Moon for some dinner. We walked by one of the last of the old church dining halls, the Hamline Church Dining Hall. There used to be lots of these but this is one of the last ones. 

 Walked by Tom Thumb Mini Donuts. This is one of my most favorite fair foods going back to when I was a little kid. I think I'm gonna skip it this year as I'm counting calories for my upcoming Arizona trip. 

Balloon stand. Never buy 'em but I love how colorful they are. 

Tilt-a-Whirl (back left). This used to be my favorite ride as a kid. Now the thought of it makes me sick. 

On our way to the Blue Moon Dine-In Theater. 

State Fair 2025 - Ice Fishing Houses

Friday, August 29, 2025

Our first stop was at Ice Castle Fish House's.

We stop here just about every year and I'm not sure why we get such a kick out of looking at Ice Houses since the chance of us ever buying one are next to nil. 

There are numerous covered holes on the floor for fishing. 

I think Dale and I just like the idea of a premade little cozy cabin for land more than ice. I know ice fishers know what they're doing and how to do it safely but if I were in one on a frozen lake I'd never be able to get the idea of it falling in out of my anxiety ridden head. 

My grandparents had a cabin in northern Minnesota where I loved spending time. Dale also had spent time as a kid out of the city doing a lot a camping. Maybe that has something to do with the appeal. Anyway, they are fun to look at. 

State Fair 2025 - We're Back!

Friday, August 29, 2025

Dale and I left for the Minnesota State Fair around 4 pm. We had to stop at the bank to pick up some cash but then we ventured out on our way though city streets on a lovely and sunny late August afternoon to the fair grounds in Falcon Heights (suburb which borders Saint Paul). 

We ambled up Larpenteur Avenue and just before 5pm we parked in the north lot and then walked the short distance to the north entrance. The weather was absolutely perfect. 

Dale picked up our tickets (one of us qualified for the senior discount). 

We hadn't made it too far onto the grounds before I forced Dale to let me take a picture of him with Linus. 

Some years I'm very plan-full of what I wanna see, do, and eat at the fair. I'll research to new foods and attractions, decide which animal barns and exhibits to visit, food to eat, etc. This was not one of those years. After saying goodbye to Linus we headed southward to see what there was to see...

State Fair 2024 - Sunday Attendance Record

Sunday, September 8th, 2024

Dale and I attended the the final Sunday of the Fair a week ago today. Turns out it set a daily attendance record. The previous record for the final Sunday was 245,243 set in 2019.

Next year's Fair is set for August 21 to September 1. 

State Fair 2024: 2nd Visit - Giant Sing Along

Sunday, September 1, 2024

Our final stop was the Giant Sing Along. 

All told our two visits to the State Fair this year were great fun.

State Fair 2024: 2nd Visit - Giant Sunflowers

Sunday, September 1, 2024

Dale and I started getting tired around half past noon. 

We started heading toward the north entrance but made a couple stops along the way. 

The sunflower patch was one of 'em. 

The honeybees were very attentive. 

They look so pretty against the deep blue sky. 

State Fair 2024: 2nd Visit - Sweet Corn Ice Cream

Sunday, September 1, 2024

After the Midway it was back to the Blue Moon for one of my Fair favorites, sweetcorn ice cream.

                    

Back in 2012 the now defunct local rag, City Pages gave it its Best State Fair Food Award. Here's what they had to say about it: "Sure, the cheese curds are delightful, and there's always a healthy line for walleye on a stick, but it's the unusual pairings and unique concepts at the Minnesota State Fair that adventurous attendees get really excited about. Enter the sweet corn ice cream, a dish that blends a serving of veggies with your dessert. While this may sound like an odd duo, it's a satisfying alternative to the traditional fair gut busters. The cool treat manages to strike a pleasant balance between creamy and corny, with a healthy handful of corn nuts adding to the crunchy texture. If you want to go even more experimental, order it with the bacon maple syrup to emphasize the sweet and salty notes." Simply put it's just really yummy. 

The episode of The Brady Bunch where Peter meets his double was playing in the theater.