Minnesota State Fair 2006 Part 3 - Deep Fried Candy Bars

Deep fried candy bars, to me, are like communism. In theory it all sounds great but in reality it just doesn't work. I'm not sure if they were brand new to the fair in 2006 but if not, they hadn't been around too much before that. I just remember having heard about them on TV that year and knowing that I really wanted to try one. Dale and I got to the booth and I ordered a deep fried Snickers. It was prepared just like a corn dog - dipped in batter and then deep fried. I'll never forget that first bite because it made the sides of my tongue curl. Them problem was that the batter was way too sweet and a candy bar is sweet enough as it is already. Sweet plus too sweet equals WAY too sweet, that is, unless you're into that kinda thing.

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.

Minnesota State Fair 2006 - Tickets

Dale and I went to the Fair in 2006 but the only memento I can find is my ticket.

Another MN150 Nomination for the Minnesota State Fair

"The Minnesota State Fair is one of the things that seems to bring all Minnesotans together. While the reasons for attending vary from the food to the cows, everyone can find something to enjoy. As you walk around the fair, you see all ages, races and cultures. People from the urban and the rural areas mingle at the cheese curd booth. It is truly the Great Minnesota Get-Together and Minnesota wouldn't be the same without it." ~Vicki Carlson, Minneapolis, MN

The Minnesota State Fair and the MN150

In 2008 the Minnesota Historical Society put together an exhibit called MN150 and published a companion book titled Minnesota 150: The People, Places, and Things That Shape Our State. Before the exhibit opened anyone was allowed to submit a nomination for something they felt should be included. The Minnesota State Fair made the list and the winning nomination does a great job of telling how the fair has changed and remained relevant today. Here it is:

"This is the Great Minnesota Get-Together that has been going on for around 150 years. The Fair is a unique blend of farming and big-city exhibits and demonstrations. It has changed over the years to reflect the changes in our community and state. For example, Machinery Hill was THE destination after World War II for famers from all over the state to kick the tires on the latest farm implements. The Hill gradually changed in the last decade to reflect the new urban farmer with high-tech lawn mowers and mini-excavator machines. And yet as much as it changed, many things are still the same, like the 4-H center where kids from all parts of Minnesota come to give demonstrations and skits on the main stage."

"Families have gone to the Fair for generations. And the Fair changes with the times as well. In 2006, there was an Eco-center with many different booths with energy conservation themes, which is very timely considering the increasing cost of gasoline, fuel oil, and natural gas. It truly is the Great Minnesota Get-Together! ~Tom Sletten, St. Anthony, MN"

Food On a Stick

I was doing dishes this morning and was listening to a local morning news show that was on TV in the living room. I heard mention of the State Fair and went to look at what they were talking about.

I didn't catch the whole thing but a guy was being interviewed about doing salad on a stick at the State Fair this year. One of the foods on a stick that I've never tried is the walleye on a stick so I think I might have to give that a go this year.

The following is from the Food Network website: "Teddy Roosevelt famously said, 'speak softly and carry a big stick...' at the Minnesota State Fair more than 100 years ago. He was talking about foreign policy, but today, any reference to a big stick would most likely involve something breaded and fried: The Minnesota fair has one of the widest varieties of food on a stick in the country - more than 60 options. Deep-fried Reuben dogs and spaghetti-and-meatball balls are the crowd-pleasers, but one of the best bites of Minnesota flavor is the locally caught walleye. The state fish is mild, flaky and just meant to be dipped in batter, fried and dunked in tartar sauce."

Prize Winning Corn (and a Tin Man Too) 2009

Q: Where else can you see stuff like this?

A: The Minne-

sota State Fair.