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Your complete guide to Day 5 at the Minnesota State Fair

CBS News Minnesota Live

Monday, Aug. 28 is Day 5 at the 2023 Minnesota State Fair!

It will be muggy out there, with temps in the mid-80s and partly cloudy skies. 

Monday is Seniors Day at the fair. Tickets are just $13 for anyone 65 and older. Eighty people will officially become U.S. citizens upon taking the Oath of Allegiance at 9 a.m. at the International Bazaar Stage. It is Sensory-Friendly Morning at Mighty Midway & Kidway from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Kidway, then 10 a.m. to noon in the Midway. Increase your awareness of mental health between 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. at Dan Patch Park. And it's also Minnesota State Patrol Day, with plenty to see and do between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the North End.

Click here to see the entire daily guide from the state fair for Monday, Aug. 28.

Music At The Fair

The Happy Together Tour 2023 will hit the Grandstand, featuring The Turtles, Little Anthony, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Vogues, The Classics IV and The Cowsills. Tickets are $33. The show starts at 7 p.m.

Grandstand Schedule | Free Entertainment Schedule

 

WCCO stars try making sandwiches at a Minnesota State Fair booth

Each summer, there are dozens of new foods to tempt your taste buds at the Minnesota State Fair. On Monday, Amelia Santaniello, Frank Vascellaro, Chris Shaffer and Mike Max made a new, blue ribbon-worthy sandwich at the Minnesota Farmers Union Coffee Shop.

WCCO stars try making sandwiches at a Minnesota State Fair booth 03:35
By WCCO Staff
 

What are the top questions asked at Minnesota State Fair information booths?

Whether you've visited for decades, or it's your first trip, odds are you have a few questions about the Minnesota State Fair.

Beyond the wealth of food and fun at the fair are 10 hubs housing what some have called professional know-it-alls.

Click here to read more.

Good Question: What are the top questions asked at Minnesota State Fair information booths? 02:34
By Jeff Wagner
 

Dozens of new US citizens take Oath of Allegiance at Minnesota State Fair

The Minnesota State Fair is one of the most unifying events of the year. And on Monday, that sentiment is strong for several new Minnesotans.

Click here to read more

Dozens of new citizens naturalized at State Fair ceremony 01:50
By Beret Leone
 

Loring Nelson celebrates 95th birthday at State Fair

The fair marks a lot of milestones, and for one man, it also marks a special day. Loring Nelson is celebrating his 95th birthday Monday at the fairgrounds with a beloved birthday malt.

He and his wife, Marilous, still live on their farm in Rush City and maintain the property. Loring Nelson told WCCO he first came to the fair when he was 10 years old and looks forward to it every year.

"I've always enjoyed the fair. I've been here every year except the years they didn't have it. It'd be kind of foolish to go when they didn't have it," he said.

Those years he missed were for World War II and COVID-19.

The cattle barn is a must-stop for the Nelson family; they used to raise cattle on their farm. Like a lot of us, Loring said he loves the people-watching too.

Loring Nelson celebrates 95th birthday at State Fair 01:09
By WCCO Staff
 

Fair launches sensory-friendly morning

Minnesota State Fair launches sensory-friendly morning 02:22

From the sights and the sounds to the crowds, the Minnesota State Fair can be an overwhelming place. This is especially true for people with autism or other sensory processing challenges.

For that reason, fair officials wanted it to be a more inclusive place, so they tried something new this year -- a sensory-friendly morning at the Kidway and Mighty Midway.

"This morning, we have all our lights and sounds minimized to only safety-related and operational noises," fair spokesperson Maria Hayden said.

The Martins family, visiting from Oklahoma, have learned the importance of coming prepared.

"I like that it's being all-inclusive, and everyone can come out and have a good time," Jennifer Martins said.

For those needing a break, the Fraser Sensory Building offers a calming oasis. It has sensory kits, activities, and a quiet room.

"Come, use it for what you need it for, take a little break, then go out and enjoy the rest of the fair," Fraser assistant director of marketing Mary Arneson said.

There's also air conditioning, making it the perfect place for a much-needed break for Maren Lee's family. She has two children with special needs.

"There's a tendency for children with special needs to stay home and not go out, because it is extra challenging. And I think helping our children get out in public is important for them but also important for the general public," she said. "Sometimes it's about changing your expectations to make it more manageable. Then it becomes a more manageable day, not a miserable day."

If you want to avoid the larger crowds, the fair recommends coming early in the mornings on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.

By Kirsten Mitchell
 

"What's in your fanny pack?"

WCCO's Erin Hassanzadeh is a tad obsessed, shall we say, about the very State Fair-like fashion accessory that is otherwise known as the fanny pack.

So she went around the fairgrounds Monday to see what other fairgoers had in their own fanny packs. Spoiler alert: Many were carrying keys and cell phones. But others ... well, we'll let you see for yourself.

Time to play "What's in Your Fanny Pack?" 03:15
By Erin Hassanzadeh
 

It's a passing of the torch between Princess Kays

This year's Princess Kay holds court in Dairy Building 05:23

Here in Minnesota, the closest thing we have to royalty is Princess Kay of the Milky Way. Counties in Minnesota first crown their own dairy princesses. Then, those princesses compete for the title of Princess Kay.

A new princess was crowned a few days ago, replacing Rachel Rynda from Montgomery. This year's new Princess Kay is Emma Kuball.

See both the outgoing and incoming princesses talk about what the honor means to them in Derek James' story above.

By WCCO Staff
 

Fair's Fine Arts Building features Minnesota's most creative works

Fair's Fine Arts Building features Minnesota's most creative works 03:28

Each year at the fair, Minnesota artists get the opportunity to exhibit and receive awards and recognition for their works. Fairgoers are able to enjoy a mix of art styles and subject matter as unique and varied as the Fair itself. 

Watercolor artist Catherine Hearding is a long-time participant. She's had 18 pieces in the fair. This year, she presented a piece inspired by Yellowstone National Park.

"We were sitting there in a picnic area and I was talking to my husband but all the sudden I stopped talking to him and started looking at the light," she said.

"Light on Lava Creek" earned a fourth-place award among watercolors this year. Hearding credits the Minnesota Watercolor Society for nurturing her interest in entering her watercolor paintings in competitions, including the State Fair.

On the other end of the spectrum, there's emerging acrylic and mixed media artist Corey McGuire. This was his first year submitting a piece for consideration, but he wasn't chosen.

"I'll keep resubmitting until I get in here, and get to look at my art," he said.

In 2022, a total of 2,227 pieces were submitted, and 338 works were accepted. You can visit the Fine Arts Building every day of the fair from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

By Derek James
 

Seed art adorns this year's official fair poster

If you've seen this year's official poster for the Minnesota State Fair, you know that it pays tribute to the fair standby that is seed art.

Artist Liz Schreiber stopped by The 4 to share how long it took her to create this year's one-sheet. Hint: It was a very, very long time.

Artist Liz Schreiber introduces her official State Fair poster 02:23
By WCCO Staff
 

For many, the State Fair means back-to-school time

If you've been a grade school student in the state of Minnesota, you know that the arrival of the Minnesota State Fair is also, unofficially, the end of summer break, as the last day of the fair -- Labor Day -- is typically also the last day before classes are back in session.

Joining WCCO's The 4 to talk about the upcoming school year Mondayt were St. Paul Public Schools' Superintendent Dr. Joe Gothard, along with Bobby Arnold, who is a senior at Johnson High School.

For most, the State Fair means back-to-school time 02:34
By WCCO Staff
 

New foods are great, but so are these standbys

fresh-french-fries-minnesota-state-fair.jpg
Minnesota State Fair

Year in and year out, Minnesotans go out of their way to sample the new foods available at the Minnesota State Fair.

But new foods alone are an unknown commodity. No, what really gets people back at the fair year after year after year are the foods that we grew up with, the ones that we indulge in once per year, the ones that draw lines around the block rain or shine.

We're talking your cheese curds, your mini donuts, your fresh-roasted corn. These are the staples, the stalwarts, the perennials. And Team WCCO is happy to share our personal favorites with you now.

Click here to see what our annual obsessions are.

By Eric Henderson
 

A busy first Sunday at the fair ... but not a record

Day 4 at the Minnesota State Fair was not a record-breaking, and not by a long shot. But it was still a huge improvement on the prior two years' Sunday figures.

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Minnesota State Fair

You'll note that Day 4 is the only day with an attendance record that goes further back than the last half-dozen years. Somehow, 209,969 admissions were tallied on the first Sunday of the fair back in 1994.

By Eric Henderson
 

Afro Deli is one of the newest State Fair food vendors

Eating the food is one of the best parts of the state fair, and every year, there are new options to try.

There are nearly three dozen new foods this year, with a handful of brand-new vendors. 

We're really excited about the foods available from Afro Deli, inculding their delicious sambusas and their Somali tea! Here's a preview of what they have on offer:

Afro Deli is one of the newest State Fair food vendors 02:50

For more things to get you salivating, we've made you a guide reviewing the newest state fair foods. Check it out here.

By WCCO Staff
 

Need to grab some Minnesota-centric gifts? The fair's got you covered

If you're looking for a unique gift with local flare, look no further.

Tyler from GoodThings dropped by WCCO's fair booth to present the myriad things available for your early holiday shopping.

Unique gifts from GoodThings available at the fair 02:03
By Shayla Reaves
 

Chugging milk at the fair (kinda)

State Fair fun: Chugging contest at the All-You-Can-Drink Milk Stand 03:50
By Cole Premo
 

Heather Brown and Joseph Dames check out the Miracle of Birth Center

Let’s check out the Miracle of Birth Center at the State Fair! 13:41
By WCCO Staff
 

Fair vendors offer treats for pets, too

When you think about State Fair food, dog treats may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But if you're over in the Pet Pavilion that's exactly what you'll find.

Must Be Ruff is in its second year of selling homemade bakery items for your pets at the fair.

Some State Fair vendors offer treats for pets, too 02:25
State Fair vendor Must Be Ruff offers homemade treats for pets 02:45
By Shayla Reaves
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