FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (KWAD) — Minnesotans are known for their loyalty to the Minnesota State Fair, and now they have another chance to prove it.
USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards is hosting a nationwide poll to determine the best state fair in the country, and the Minnesota State Fair is among the 20 nominees. The competition includes strong contenders like the Iowa State Fair, Texas State Fair, and fairs in Illinois, Alaska, and California.
Voting is open through Monday, July 28 at noon ET, and residents can vote once per day. The results will be announced on Wednesday, August 6, just in time for Minnesota to potentially celebrate a win during its own Great Minnesota Get-Together.
The Minnesota State Fair draws nearly two million visitors each year and spans 320 acres in St. Paul. With its signature butter sculptures, deep-fried creations, concerts, rides, and agriculture showcases, it’s a cultural juggernaut in the Midwest. The fair also generates significant economic impact and employs roughly 2,000 people during the event each year.
One of the biggest draws? The food. A total of 33 new food items and 8 new vendors are joining the fair’s already massive culinary lineup. Highlights include funnel cake-coated cheese curds, PB&J cheeseburgers, Somali beef fries, and a bold new drink called Dill Pickle Iced Tea, served with a chamoy rim and pickle spear.
And, of course, Sweet Martha’s Cookies.
Visitors will also find 70 new beverages, ranging from craft beers and hard seltzers to non-alcoholic specialty mocktails. The Fair has even added a filter on its app to help guests find alcohol-free options more easily.
This year’s Grandstand concerts feature big-name acts like Old Dominion, Meghan Trainor, Def Leppard, Hank Williams, Jr and Nelly. The Happy Together Tour also returns for fans of classic pop hits.
Fairgoers can still count on crowd favorites like the Giant Slide, Ye Old Mill, SkyRide, and the DNR Fish Pond, along with crop art, seed sculptures, and educational exhibits throughout the grounds.
Beyond the fun, the fair continues to provide major economic impact and community engagement across the Twin Cities. With more than 2,000 seasonal workers and 320 acres of attractions, the Minnesota State Fair remains one of the largest and most beloved in the country.
Whether it’s for the butter sculptures, the deep-fried novelties, or the nightly fireworks, Minnesotans are ready to prove once again why there’s no fair like theirs.
With pride on the line, many Minnesotans are already casting their votes—and challenging anyone to name a better fair than theirs.