State Fair 2024: 2nd Visit - The Mighty Midway

 Sunday, September 1, 2024

As a kid the Midway was THE reason to go to the fair.

Today, not so much.

However, today it brings back fond memories and is fun to look at day or night. 

No rides for us but we had fun walking around.

State Fair 2024 - The Fair at Night

Friday, August 23, 2024

I love being at the Fair after dark. 

After dark it cools off a little bit.

And the neon lights are just so pretty. 

State Fair 2019 (Second Visit) - Midway

Friday, August 30, 2019

We walked around with our Dole Whips and ended up at the Midway. This ride (and any other ride that rocks or spins) would be a no-no for me. I posted the above video Facebook and someone asked me if I knew the name of the ride. I didn't. Another person suggested it should be called Migraine and Barf. Seems fitting. The person running the ride got on the speaker a couple times while the ride was in motion and was very clear that if anyone took out a cell phone or a vaping device she would shut the ride down. I can see why. I wouldn't want to be hit on the head with one.

State Fair 2018 (Second Visit) - Mighty Midway

Sunday, September 2, 2018

Dale and I stopped at the Mighty Midway. It was crowded so it didn't take us long to get our fill of it. Pretty sunset though.

State Fair 2018 (First Visit) - Kidway

Saturday, August 25, 2018

The following is from the State Fair walking tour brochure:

"Kidway"

"Created 1963, moved 1993, renamed 1995"

"Then: Adults have had a carnival area at the fair since 1904. It wasn't until 1963 when Kiddieland was added that children had a place to call their own. Outgrowing its space outside of the main carnival, Kiddieland moved to Machinery Hill in 1993. In 1995, both areas were revamped and renamed the Mighty Midway and Kidway, which showcased 67 independently  booked rides, plus games and concessions - a 'profound departure' from anything seen before at the fair."

"Now: Today the Kidway is a family-friendly area where children can experience smaller rides geared just for them and parents can enjoy watching the fun."

Fair 2015 - Mike on the Midway

Fair 2015 - Ferris Wheel

From a photo taken August 29, 2015

Fair 2015 - Visit #1: Mighty Midway

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Next stop: The Mighty Midway! Ashanka took Shay on a roller coaster. They next hit the new 4-story funhouse pictured below. Next Mike took them on the Ferris wheel. We didn’t have to wait too long for rides at all.

Fair 2015 - Visit #1: Mighty Midway

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Fair 2015 - Visit #1: Mighty Midway

Saturday, August 29, 2015

First Vistit 2014 - Midway and Shay

Shay was dying to get on some rides and play some games so we headed to the Midway. She didn't go on the Ferris wheel pictured here. I'm just including it because I think it's a pretty cool shot. I felt bad for Shay since she didn't have a buddy to bring along like she has the past couple of years. I guess she had someone lined up but they cancelled at the last minute. I don't think it was a fun for her without a pal but she didn't let on and was a good sport about the whole thing.

State Fair 2013 - Break in the Clouds

Our second trip to the Fair in 2013 occurred on a cloudy day. As the sun began to set it finally pushed through the clouds for a little bit. This photo is looking toward the Midway and features Dale in the bottom left hand corner.

State Fair 2013 - Midway 2

So much fun to take in the energy of the Midway.

State Fair 2013 - Midway

Next we took a rather thorough tour of the Midway. We didn't play any games. We didn't ride any rides. We just watched. It was crowded and noisy but, oh, what a good time people were having. It was really quite fun to watch. I remember being at the Fair when I was little. My younger brother Sam was in a stroller  which would have made him one or two and me four or five. Grandma Alice and Grandpa Louie were in town from up north to go visit the fair with us. We were just outside the midway because I remember looking in at all all the bright lights. Grandma had gotten a little stuffed toy somewhere at the Fair and I remember her handing it to Sam in his stroller. It don't recall us going in the Midway but I do remember the appeal and excitement that it seemed to offer. It was dark and probably just about time for us to leave so Sam and I coulc get to bed. It's still a lot of fun - even if you just watch.

Winter Visit Part 2 - The Midway

This is where the Midway is. Again, oddly, it seems smaller with nothing there.

MN State Fair 2011 - Even More Skyride Photos

The return trip going west yielded some nice pictures of the evening sky. Photos from top: 1. The evening sky. 2. The Grandstand. 3. The Midway.

The Fair 2011 (2nd Visit) Part 12 - Goin' Home

After my experience with the deep fried apple pie it was time to go home. It was past 10:30 and many things were closing down. The midway and lots of food booths were still open so bright lights were gleaming everywhere. Here are a couple of stands we passed on the long walk back from the southern grounds of the fair to the parking lots on the northern end near Larpenteur Avenue.

Above photos taken September 2, 2011.

The Fair 2011 (First Visit) Part 11 - The Midway

Dale spent some time looking at the fast moving rides at the Midway. He said it actually made him feel a little woozy. I couldn't spend more than a second watching them spin around.

Minnesota State Fair 2006 Part 2 - The Midway

I don't have any photos of my own of the 2006 Fair but I did find this nighttime shot of the midway online. It was dated 2006.