From Spectator to Competitor: My Minnesota State Fair Debut

This is the week—the Minnesota State Fair begins! For those who may not be familiar, Minnesota has one of the largest and best state fairs in the country. Recently, the Blue Ribbon Group announced that the Minnesota State Fair ranked first (for the third year in a row) based on attendance and baking competitions.

Now, my family has always been fair-goers. While the majority of Minnesotans make this annual trek to the 12-day affair leading up to Labor Day, there are some who don't get what makes it so awesome! So why do we go?

The Magic of the Great Minnesota Get-Together

First, it's like going to a big community get-together where the atmosphere is electric with excitement. You can see the exhibits, watch the live newscasts and radio shows that broadcast from the grounds, and of course, there's the food. Minnesotans are known for having "food on a stick," and every year there's a big rollout of new food and drinks available at the fair.

There are the animals, of course—pigs, goats, sheep, and even a llama costume contest! There are many permanent structures that house exhibits for natural resources, fine art, eco displays, and horse shows. And then there's the Grandstand, which hosts some of the world's greatest musical artists and comedians. Performers like Garth Brooks, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Steve Miller Band, Sheryl Crow, and Miranda Lambert have all performed there. My husband and I saw Jim Gaffigan a few years back, and we're always waiting to see who they'll announce each year.

But one of the greatest things about the State Fair is that most attractions are included in the cost of admission ($18 this year, $17 pre-fair price per person). There are hundreds of free musical acts, a huge children's area, tractors and farm equipment displays, and lots and lots of places to sit and things to see. If it's your thing, there are extras you can pay for like the Midway and Kidway rides, some thrill rides that change every year, and the big slide (which I've always thought was worth a few bucks!). But for the most part, most attendees are there for one reason: people-watching!

The Art of People-Watching

It's true—Minnesotans are known for being "nice," but deep down, we're all secret judges. It's great to sit with a cold beer and a poncho dog (basically a corn dog) and watch the families, senior citizens, teenagers, and every kind of human go through their routines at the fair. You have the families with wagons and three or four toddlers in tow, screaming for cotton candy that Dad just refused to buy. You've got the woman who clearly had never been to the 322-acre fairgrounds and decided wearing heels was a good idea. Of course, there are the seniors on scooters bumping into people's ankles in the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds (average daily attendance is between 100,000 and 250,000—much busier on the two weekends).

You've got farmers, city folks, suburbanites—young, old, and everything in between—coming together for the "Great Minnesota Get-Together," or as some call it, the "Sweat Together."

Weather is always on fair-goers' minds. Most years it's hot—and I mean hot! When you get that many people together, the temperature easily rises, and most years you can expect at least a few 90+ degree days. There have been late summer storms that toppled tents, and for us one year, we literally stood in ankle-deep water waiting for our bus to arrive. (Taking a bus to the fair from one of the free parking lots is the best way to go!)

The Creative Activities Building: My Annual Pilgrimage

But for me, the one thing I've always admired is the Creative Activities building. It's directly to your right when you come in the main front gate. Every year, hundreds of people submit thousands of entries for everything from embroidery and knitting to wood crafts, canned and preserved foods, and of course, baked goods. This year there were 93 different baked goods and specialty food categories you could submit entries into. I heard from one baker who submitted items this year that there were more than 11,000 entries across all creative arts categories.

It's really amazing when you go to see the artistic craftsmanship that people have spent many hours—if not years—creating. From carved wooden canoes to intricate Afghans to needlepoints sewn with precision, there are often doll clothes and human clothing too, but I gravitate toward those baked goods. Each year there are decadent bars, brownies, cookies, pies, breads, and cakes in every variety. What's amazing is that the coordinators do their best to display most, if not all, submissions. So, if you're lucky, your submission may be viewable for all to see. Yes, there are ribbons and small cash prizes to be won, with the ultimate being the "Supreme Baker" award. But most submit entries simply for the love of it.

And that's where I come in.

Taking the Leap: From Observer to Participant

After 20+ years of viewing all these entries, this year I finally took the leap and submitted three entries! Back in May, registration opened, and I cautiously but excitedly reviewed all the categories to determine where I thought I could fare best (pun intended). My first choice was brownies (with nuts, chips, and/or frosting) because my Mexican brownies are usually a hit in our house. Next, I played it safe by entering basic banana bread. But lastly, there was a "special" competition I wanted to enter. Each year there are different specialty contests for things like hot dishes (casseroles for anyone outside Minnesota), wedding cakes, or decorative cookie displays. This year they had a "chili cook-off" recipe submission. I knew that was the one for me. I've been making my turkey black bean chili for years and thought it was worthy of submission.

So, off my registration went! After receiving confirmation of my exhibitor number, I had to wait until mid-August to create my masterpieces. I practiced a few times to get my recipes just right, then finally baked and cooked my submissions for drop-off on the Saturday before the fair started. I followed the precise instructions (the brownies needed to be cut into four 2x2 squares). The excitement built as my daughter and I waited in the long, winding line with all the other entrants dropping off their goodies.

As people talked to one another, you could hear the sharing of recipes and wishes of good luck to "newbies" from veterans who had done this year after year. When I finally got to the front, the staff managing this process (most of whom were ladies easily over 60, directing the organized chaos) were welcoming. They quickly took my submissions, gave me my confirmation sheet, and wished me luck.

The Wait

Now I wait. Believe me, I have no hopes of getting any ribbons on my first try. I had no idea what I was doing, but I definitely learned some lessons along the way (like having all your recipes on hand just in case they're requested). But I'm excited to see—I hope—at least one of my submissions on display with my name on it! It's what I've been hoping for and that final check box for my bucket list!

Have you ever taken the leap from spectator to participant in something you've admired from afar? I'd love to hear about your own "finally did it" moments!