PAI Commerce

          Have you ever wondered “How long has the Minnesota State Fair been around?” Well Westside has asked that question and we went on a search to find out the answer.

The 1^st Minnesota State Fair was held in 1859, the year after Minnesota was granted statehood. It was held in what is now downtown Minneapolis.

          In the last 152 years the fair has been held every year with only five exceptions, 1861 &1862 due to the Civil War, 1893 because of conflicts with the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, in 1945 because of wartime fuel shortages and in 1946 due to the Polio epidemic.

          In the early years the fair was dominated by Agricultural exhibits. Now while the focus is still agriculture the fair has added many attractions the interest all ages of fair goers. From the Petty Barn, Horse barns, DNR Building, Grandstand shows, 4H exhibits to every kind of food on a stick there is something for everyone.

  Of course there are the standard fair foods- Pronto pups, corn dogs, foot long hot dogs, Fried green tomatoes, The Beer gardens, Sweet Martha’s cookies, Cheese and on stick and let’s not forget the “Cheese Curds” hot out of the fryer!

Although it’s still a week away, Westside can’t wait!