State Fair

The 2025 Minnesota State Fair runs Aug. 21 through Sept. 1. For all of the events at the MPR booth and Dan Patch Park, go to mpr.org/statefair.

Faces of the Fair: Blue Barn
The 1,800-square-foot, two-story, big blue barn is a 24/7 operation for the 12 days of the fair. When the employees aren't making food and serving customers, they're taking deliveries and prepping for the next day's customers.
Faces of the Fair: Sweet Martha's Cookie Jar
There are few State Fair foods more iconic than Sweet Martha's cookies. The fair staple started modestly in a 9-by-11 stand built in Martha Rossini Olson's backyard and filled with rented equipment.
How to become a food vendor at the Minnesota State Fair
There are 247 licensed food vendors at the Minnesota State Fair selling more than 500 food items. And the thought has occurred to many fairgoers with an idea for a bite to sell: How do I get one of those coveted spots?