Minnesota State Fair Officials Put Finishing Touches On New Exhibits

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – We are just one week away from the start of the Great Minnesota Get-Together.

WCCO's Kate Raddatz got a sneak peek at some of the new attractions you'll find at the Minnesota State Fair this year.

With one week to go, fair officials are busy putting the finishing touches on the newest exhibits at the North End.

"We just really wanted to create a sense of permanency up here on the North End," explained Danielle Dullinger with the Minnesota State Fair.

That starts with the new 12,000 square foot North End Event Center that will host a different theme each year.

This year, it will be Angry Birds Universe: The Exhibition.

"It's a great interactive exhibit full of a lot of stem activities, science technology, math -- great for families and it's completely free with fair admission," added Dullinger.

Outside there are sunshades called the Minnesota Marquees that will showcase different Minnesota famous faces and pioneers, like Prince and the Mayo brothers, and the giant Minnesota Corn Fairstalk will give fairgoers a chance to learn about Minnesota farming and see their fair experience light up on the screen.

"If you want to show up on this big screen all you gotta do is post your photos on Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag MNStateFair and you could be featured up there," said Dullinger.

There are also seven new food vendors and 31 new food items, including a Carnitas Taco Cone, Cheesy Sriracha Funnel Cake Bites and an Instagrammable "Halo Cone."

"It's this beautiful cotton candy swirl of ice cream and then wrapped in cotton candy. So it's this giant ice cream cone that if you didn't eat it I don't know if it counts of you coming to the fair, so you have to try it," said Dullinger.

The fair runs Aug. 22 through Labor Day. For hours and ticket information, click here.