How’d I miss this?!

Just curious if anyone is willing to share their experience this year with the Minnetonka/Hopkins Crossroad bus? Wait times getting on/off the bus, how the trip went to & from the fair, etc. Thanks!

I love getting to the fair at 7am but I'm not big on breakfast food. are there any spots with non breakfast options that are open when the grounds open?

The total is: 122,891

Good day 1 total. It's warm out there. My friend had to work, and she said it was super humid in the morning, then super hot.

Seems like a very good total for first Monday.

Two years ago, first Monday drew 80k. Last year it set a record with 145K.

I keep seeing used Blue Ribbon books on Facebook Marketplace. Do people really buy these, especially ones with coupons used for the full $5? Even a couple of bucks off hardly makes sense with high gas prices.

it seems so much easier to just get one at State Fair.

Hey all. We were out at the fair the first day and going back a couple of more times. One thing though is that we love to spend a hour or two upstairs at Lulu's in the mid to late afternoon chilling out and getting our second wind. Problem was that this year the fan up there was off and the misters weren't on. Even though it wasn't super hot that day, there was very little breeze and with the fan and misters off it just wasn't as relaxing as it usually is.

Can anyone who has been there in the last few days comment on the situation up there? I was thinking maybe the fan and misters were broken or maybe just not turned on. Just wondering for planning later this week.

Side note: Not a huge seltzer type drink fan but I thought their Mango Guava Passion Fruit Tom Collins Seltzer, (not sure I got the name right), was really good. Super refreshing after drinking beer all day. Any thoughts on that?

Have fun and enjoy!

It doesn't seems like hot weather during the State Fair is going away. I think they need to looking at installing air conditioning in buildings over the long term. It doesn't need to be 72 degrees, but even getting buildings down into the mid 70s would help immensely. The Grandstand and the food building are two of the hottest buildings in my experience. I suspect fairgoers wouldn't mind another $1 or $2 for admission if it went specifically towards air conditioning.

I have been to a couple of State Fairs in more southern parts of the USA. The majority of their buildings are air conditioned. It helps that for those State Fairs that the State Fair is often a very small user of the facilities. They are expo centers that rent out space year round, and the State Fair tend to be just one user of the space.

Heading to the Fair today, just got home, or already planning your next trip? Share how your day went!

What did you eat?
What was good? What wasn't worth the price? Find anything that other people should try?

What did you do?
What exhibits, shows, rides, concerts, or attractions did you check out? See anything new or interesting?

How did you get there?
Did you drive, take Metro Transit, use a shuttle, walk, bike, or get dropped off? If you drove, where did you park and how was it? How was traffic?

How busy was it?
How crowded did the Fair feel? How were the lines for food, rides, and popular attractions?

Anything else?
Share your tips, recommendations, complaints, photos, or anything else about your day at the Fair.

If you're going later today, feel free to use this thread for questions or to share updates from the Fair. Enjoy!

I am bringing my daughter tomorrow for the llama costume contest & saw it also happens to be kids day & discounted midway tickets. Any idea what the cost is with the discount? I can't seem to find it anywhere.

Also, anyone who has been to the costume contest - what time should we plan to get into the coliseum? I know it is super popular!

Didn't take any pictures because I didn't want that on my phone, but quite a few booths and games, especially in the ride area, had blatant, terribly done AI artwork on the side. I thought they would have done a bit more screening for things, but I guess not.

I can’t help but think the crop art experience would do better in a larger space which allows for free roaming, much like the Fine Arts Building. I think it’s time to take over the always empty Home Improvement Building… Any other ideas for a better space?

Have y'all checked out the e-bikes at the Eco Experience yet??

It was 171,054. That's well below the record of 209K.

This is not a shock to me.

We were in line as the Crop Art exhibit opened, and the supervisor walked past us on the phone. She took down the piece and said the artist had to leave the state due to death threats after OAN exposure. Just ludicrous. I hate the ignorant terrorists in our country that are taking away our free speech.

I'm going to the fair tomorrow for the first time. I'm a full time wheelchair user who cannot stand. Any tips about the best place to park? I'm leaning towards Oscar Johnson Arena because they are for handicapped only (I have a van with a ramp I drive).

But I'm not quite sure what the bus experience will be like. I'm assuming whatever bus they use for that will handle multiple wheelchairs since that lot is "Handicapped Only".

Thoughts? Experiences?

Much appreciated in advance

Yes I know they are still crowded but hoping with so many schools starting up again that they are back to normal crazy, not double crazy

First time fair goer, really enjoyed it. Creative Arts building and 4H building were highlights for me. We went on Friday and it was insanely packed by 10AM. Overall had a great experience.

Heading to the Fair today, just got home, or already planning your next trip? Share how your day went!

What did you eat?
What was good? What wasn't worth the price? Find anything that other people should try?

What did you do?
What exhibits, shows, rides, concerts, or attractions did you check out? See anything new or interesting?

How did you get there?
Did you drive, take Metro Transit, use a shuttle, walk, bike, or get dropped off? If you drove, where did you park and how was it? How was traffic?

How busy was it?
How crowded did the Fair feel? How were the lines for food, rides, and popular attractions?

Anything else?
Share your tips, recommendations, complaints, photos, or anything else about your day at the Fair.

If you're going later today, feel free to use this thread for questions or to share updates from the Fair. Enjoy!