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44 tips for State Fair lovers

July 31, 2026 · — Anna

Hi! Executive Producer Anna here today. In Minnesota, the State Fair dominates August the way the holidays dominate December, so our August Guide leans heavy on fair intel. But we've also peppered in picks for those who want nothing to do with the Great Minnesota Get-Together, you monsters!

Your Guide to August 2026 in the Twin Cities

Dog in the air with frisbee in mouth, large measurement banner below him and owner standing behind
A very good boy flying through the air after perfectly catching his frisbee. (Adam Sage / City Cast Twin Cities)

🐶 See some world-class athletes

The All-Star Stunt Dogs Splash features some of the best dock diving dogs in the world leaping up to 30 feet into a pool and all trained with positive reinforcement only. Shows run daily at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. at the North Woods Stage. Get there early to grab a dill pickle Kölsch from the beer garden next door.

🩺 Watch a live surgery (!)

For the real dog-heads: the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association Surgery Suite lets you watch spay and neuter surgeries through a glass wall while a vet narrates into a Britney Spears mic. Flabbergasting, gross, and completely captivating – daily at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m, and 4 p.m. at 1681 Murphy Ave.

🦃 Anna's basic staples

You need cheese on a stick and a fresh lemonade, every year, no exceptions. I stayed loyal to the drippy, elite Turkey To Go sandwich through two years of veganism and four of vegetarianism (I’m a hero!). Then it's off to Ye Old Mill and the Haunted House.

🥒 Sean's first, second, and fifth food stops

Start with HotDish on a Stick at Ole and Lena's on Liggett, then a Pickle Dog – a dill spear slathered in cream cheese and wrapped in pastrami (basically health food). Brave the International Bazaar bottleneck for Holy Land's Mediterranean Lemonade, a minty lemonade slushy that's hydration with style.

🧀 The curd craze

Five of our eight podcast contributors picked cheese curds as a must-eat, so let's just accept it: you're getting curds. Em Cassel and Kirstie Kimball swear by the Mouth Trap in the Food Building; Hans Buetow wants his scalding hot with a full smorgasbord of dips.

🍴 Beyond the curd 

Our contributors' deeper cuts: the wild rice burger in the Food Building, grilled peach with goat cheese at the Produce Exchange (go early, before the peaches soften), Que Viet's giant egg roll on a stick, Paella Depot, deep-fried green pepper rings at The Big Pepper, and a pronto pup – NOT a corn dog.

🦙 Where to put your bod

Walk the barns and time it to the 4-H events, catch the alpaca dress-up or llama costume contests, or end the day with whatever horse show is on at the Coliseum. Arts-inclined? Seed art, butter sculptures, union bingo at the Labor Pavilion, and kid karaoke by the 3M area.

⏰ Falcon Heights, minus the fair

Our insiders agree: don't visit during the fair – but before or after, hit Bole Ethiopian Cuisine's amazing patio, the soothing year-round oasis of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, and Nelson Cheese and Deli, home to some of the best sandwiches in the Twin Cities.

Tips for a Better Trip to the Fair

Diptych of Ferris wheel lit up at night, and goat statue set on top of a turfed roof
Majestic scenes from the one-and-only Minnesota State Fair. (Anna Weggel / City Cast Twin Cities)

🎒 Anna's packing list for parents

Wagon (built-in seating for snacking kids!), a pack of wipes for sticky hands and sticky attitudes, gallons of sunscreen, comfortable shoes, hats plus backup hats, and water bottles for all.

🚌 Skip the Park & Ride

Sean's move: park in Highland and take the A Line up Snelling for a stress-free ride to the main gates. Fair warning – the ride home will be slow and absurdly full, so bring headphones and water for the wait on Como.

🌅 Go early, leave early

Em bikes in and is through the gates by 9:30-10 a.m., out by 2:30-3 p.m., before the crowds swallow Dan Patch Avenue.

🚗 A neighborly parking PSA

If you're parking by the fair, pull up close to the other cars. Don't leave a half-space only a scooter could enjoy.

Tickets To Get Now (Before It's Too Late)

More Twin Cities Events

And there you have it! That's 560 Fringe performances, 44 fair tips, and 19 events to load up your calendar with. See you on Dan Patch Avenue, with a drippy turkey sandwich in hand.

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