#14 Eat Something on a Stick at Minnesota State Fair

I'm sure that the majority of my "audience" is family and friends that are reading my link from facebook, which means the majority of you are probably from Minnesota (although the cool thing about blogger is you can see how many people are reading-- so I at least know I HAVE an audience.) :) So I won't explain in TOO much depth what the Minnesota State Fair is like.

But for the few of you reading who are not from Minnesota, I want you to know that it is a big deal. I heard on the radio (maybe not the most reliable source, so feel free to call me out) that it is the biggest State Fair in the United States aside from Texas, which is only bigger because it lasts 24 days. This year they calculated the total number of people that visited the fair was 1,769,872. The Minnesota State Fair is about a week and a half long and ends on labor day-- marking the end of summer. There is a concert just about every night in the grand stand (this year we had Weezer, Marc Anthony, Train and Maroon 5 among several others), several booths for local businesses, plenty of animal exhibits (including a baby animal exhibit, which is my all time favorite), carnival rides, etc. But the main thing that draws people to fair is the food. And the "theme" is always to try to come up with as many original food items they can that come on a stick. It's awesome.

I have lived in Minnesota my entire life, but I have only actually gone to the fair maybe 10 times. My friends in college, particularly those who lived out of state, were often surprised, considering the grandiose and enormity. And it actually is a lot of fun, so I can't really tell you why I didn't often go. But I just didn't. Maybe it's because it ends up being so expensive. Maybe it's because it's always bittersweet, because it means summer is over.

The last couple of years, though, I have made an effort to go, and I put it on my bucket list so that I would be motivated to get out of my house and enjoy the unique things that Minnesota has to offer.

This year, Brian and I bought tickets in advance. I almost always go on the last Sunday, because I really like watching the talent show in the Grand Stand (middle school and high school kids across Minnesota compete and a lot of the acts are more talented than a lot of famous people, in my opinion. I'm always impressed.) This year, Brian wanted to see Weezer and Motion City Soundtrack, so we bought TWO sets of tickets. It turns out, his friend was throwing a birthday the day of his concert, so we went the first and the last Sunday of the fair-- first just the two of us, and the second time with Alyssa, my brother, and Peter (kind of.)

I will give you a word of advice before I show you pictures of my food on a stick. Never ever EVER park two miles away from the bus stop. We thought it would be a good idea to leave his car at his band's practice space and walk two miles to the bus. Which was fine before the fair, but I was ready to throw myself off a bridge on the way back. We walked several miles over the course of the day at the fair, and having to walk two more was incredibly painful.

Over the course of two days, here is my food on a stick (I also ate several things NOT on a stick... but that's just too much to share):

Caprese Salad on a Stick / Salmon on a Stick (the BEST FOOD AT THE FAIR. I'm not kidding, you have to try it next year.):



Pizza on a Stick:



Cheese and Bacon Mashed Potatoes on a Stick:




I love the State Fair. I really should go every year... :)