Minnesota State Fair 2024
Where else but a state fair in the Upper Midwest of the U.S. could you find deep-fried ranch dressing, peanut butter and bacon pancakes, and kettle chip-flavored ice cream sandwiches all in one place with lines down the street waiting to get their hands on them? Travelers who have not attended the Minnesota State Fair, just outside of Minneapolis, will find “The Great Minnesota Get-Together” to be a time of fun, community and, most importantly, food.
Minneapolis always is a hub of diverse cultures and international cuisine. The fair-specific offerings include foods from Palestinian, Somali, Hmong, Latino and Indigenous communities, all which showcase the diversity of the area.
As the second-largest state fair in the United States by total attendance, the long-running fair averages 1.8 million visitors every year over just 12 days. From Aug. 22. to Sept. 2, visitors can enjoy shows at the grandstand, check out award-winning livestock and see crop art (images created with seeds) and more “Americana” than you can imagine in one 322-acre area in the country. They even carve likenesses of the dairy princesses out of blocks of butter!
There are fair classics, such as lemonade, cotton candy and hotdogs, but the Minnesota State Fair is known for having unique foods such as buffalo cheese curd and chicken tacos and sweet corn cola floats. Every year, fairgoers wait in anticipation for the fair’s new foods list to plan their visits.
This year, there are over 300 food vendors offering over 1,600 menu items. New foods at this year’s fair includes Soul Bowl’s crab boil wings, Tasti Whip’s chile mango whip and Tot Boss’s dill pickle tots. The new vendors include cultural foods from businesses like El Burrito Mercado, Kosharina Egyptian Cuisine and Midtown Global Market’s Indigenous Food Lab. Old favorites remain — you’ll always find buckets of fresh baked Sweet Martha’s Cookies and deep-fried cheese curds at this fair. Get your taste buds going and plan your visit with all the vendors and menus here.
There are also shows and performances all over the fairgrounds to enjoy as you eat. With 100+ acts playing 900 free shows, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Find a variety of performances across the fair, including international music and family-friendly shows. The ultimate shows are the Grandstand Concert Series, nightly ticketed live concerts at the fair’s outdoor grandstand.
With two direct flight options with Aer Lingus and Delta Air Lines from Dublin to Minneapolis, Irish travelers have the perfect chance to visit the city this summer and fall. This mix of American, Indigenous and international communities is a one-of-a-kind experience you don’t want to miss out.
Check out the new flight options, then explore the best of Minneapolis and plan your next trip at Minneapolis.org.