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Vote: Pick what new Minnesota State Fair foods Axios will try on day one

Axios Twin Cities readers are calling the shots on our annual opening-day food adventure.

State Fair

Audrey here! For the last five years, I&#x27;ve been the one choosing what new Minnesota State Fair foods the Axios Twin Cities team should try on day one of the Great Minnesota Get-Together.

Minnesota THC makers hold out hope for federal lifeline

A proposed one-month reprieve could create an opening for a broader fix.

Food and Drink

Minnesota makers of hemp-derived THC seltzers and gummies are holding onto hope that Congress will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reverse a looming federal ban" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/10/shutdown-deal-kill-minnesota-thc-seltzer-edible-industry" data-vars-content-id="8c993550-a717-46c4-8229-756aaec9c807" data-vars-headline="Minnesota THC makers hold out hope for federal lifeline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/10/shutdown-deal-kill-minnesota-thc-seltzer-edible-industry" target="_self">reverse a looming federal ban</a> on their products — even as the legal limbo prompts some to scale back operations. Why it matters: The new federal policy, set to take effect in mid-November, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="would deal a serious blow" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/10/shutdown-deal-kill-minnesota-thc-seltzer-edible-industry" data-vars-content-id="8c993550-a717-46c4-8229-756aaec9c807" data-vars-headline="Minnesota THC makers hold out hope for federal lifeline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/11/10/shutdown-deal-kill-minnesota-thc-seltzer-edible-industry" target="_self">would deal a serious blow</a> to the state&#x27;s booming low-dose edibles market. <ul><li>The change could mean more financial strain for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="craft brewers, who&#x27;ve relied on the drinks to offset slumping booze sales," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/06/26/craft-beer-minnesota-declines-thc-cocktails" data-vars-content-id="8c993550-a717-46c4-8229-756aaec9c807" data-vars-headline="Minnesota THC makers hold out hope for federal lifeline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/06/26/craft-beer-minnesota-declines-thc-cocktails" target="_self">craft brewers, who&#x27;ve relied on the drinks to offset slumping booze sales,</a> and fewer options for consumers. </li></ul>

Twin Cities coffee shops are going bananas for this coffee flavor

Things to Do

Lattes and matchas are going <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bananas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/12/inflation-banana-prices-tariffs" data-vars-content-id="cb249618-f21b-418a-af02-9787839a97bf" data-vars-headline="Twin Cities coffee shops are going bananas for this coffee flavor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/12/inflation-banana-prices-tariffs" target="_self">bananas</a> — including at a bunch of Twin Cities coffee shops. The big picture: Already the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most-eaten" data-vars-click-url="https://yougov.com/en-us/ratings/fruits" data-vars-content-id="cb249618-f21b-418a-af02-9787839a97bf" data-vars-headline="Twin Cities coffee shops are going bananas for this coffee flavor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://yougov.com/en-us/ratings/fruits" target="_blank">most-eaten</a> fresh fruit in America, bananas are ripe for the beverage market beyond smoothies.

Hot tip: State Fair attendance dips in warmer weather

Hoping for temps in the 90s, then going to brave the heat, might be as good a crowd-fighting strategy as any.

Here&#x27;s one strategy for beating the crowds at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Minnesota State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/state-fair" data-vars-content-id="e6f524ea-3323-41ff-81c5-1c1b34c61c5c" data-vars-headline="Hot tip: State Fair attendance dips in warmer weather" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/state-fair" target="_self">Minnesota State Fair</a>: Hope for temps in the 90s, then go brave the heat.By the numbers: Daily attendance was 13% lower when the high was 90ºF or greater, on average, than on days with highs of 89ºF or less. That&#x27;s according to an Axios analysis of attendance and climate records since 1994.

What's new at the Minnesota State Fair (besides the food)

Fairgoers will find plenty of fresh opportunities for fun at the Great Minnesota Get-Together beyond the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gut-busting new foods" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/08/24/minnesota-state-fair-new-foods-taste-test-vote" data-vars-content-id="089a3c6a-6461-4701-bb8c-80bb93ea29d8" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s new at the Minnesota State Fair (besides the food)" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/08/24/minnesota-state-fair-new-foods-taste-test-vote" target="_self">gut-busting new foods</a>.

Help us make the most of the rest of summer in the Twin Cities

The State Fair is almost here, school is starting and we're tackling our summer bucket lists.

Not to be the bearer of bad news, but this weekend marks the halfway point of August.Why it matters: Summer — the hope at the end of that long, dark, cold winter tunnel we suffer through year after year — is slipping away.

Yelp: Minnesota has America's best State Fair food

The 2026 Fair is now officially less than a month away.

We didn&#x27;t need Yelp to know the Minnesota has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the best state fair food in the U.S." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/08/21/best-worst-of-new-state-fair-foods-2025" data-vars-content-id="409429a1-c3c4-4139-805e-1dee6a305db3" data-vars-headline="Yelp: Minnesota has America&#x27;s best State Fair food" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/08/21/best-worst-of-new-state-fair-foods-2025" target="_self">the best state fair food in the U.S.</a>, but Yelp was nice enough to confirm it anyway.The big picture: The Great Minnesota Get-Together landed at No. 1 on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Yelp&#x27;s new ranking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.yelp.com/article/state-fairs-festival-eats-food" data-vars-content-id="409429a1-c3c4-4139-805e-1dee6a305db3" data-vars-headline="Yelp: Minnesota has America&#x27;s best State Fair food" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.yelp.com/article/state-fairs-festival-eats-food" target="_blank">Yelp&#x27;s new ranking</a> out this morning, which was based on the website&#x27;s reviews.

State Fair attendance fails to reach 2 million

Despite the perfect weather, State Fair attendance was flat

News

Despite near-perfect weather, Minnesota State Fair <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="attendance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/state-fair" data-vars-content-id="cfdc930a-6488-48f0-ae82-0af2339d866f" data-vars-headline="State Fair attendance fails to reach 2 million" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/state-fair" target="_self">attendance</a> failed to reach 2 million this year and barely surpassed last year, when heat and storms slowed the turnstiles on a couple of days.Why it matters: The State Fair can serve as a gauge of Minnesotans&#x27; economic mood, and this year was surprisingly lackluster considering that highs in the 70s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="usually bring big crowds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/08/20/best-day-attend-minnesota-state-fair-data" data-vars-content-id="cfdc930a-6488-48f0-ae82-0af2339d866f" data-vars-headline="State Fair attendance fails to reach 2 million" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/08/20/best-day-attend-minnesota-state-fair-data" target="_self">usually bring big crowds</a>.

New foods to try, skip at the Minnesota State Fair

We actually liked the Uncrustaburger, even if it fell apart in our hands.

It might have been a mistake to eat the Uncrustaburger from Coasters first thing in the morning.

Tips, hacks and hidden gems: How to make the most of the Minnesota State Fair

You might even be able to score free Sweet Martha's.

Break out the stretchy pants (or shorts): The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Minnesota State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/state-fair" data-vars-content-id="facb7c06-8055-4c3a-9179-5457f0a8a587" data-vars-headline="Tips, hacks and hidden gems: How to make the most of the Minnesota State Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/state-fair" target="_self">Minnesota State Fair</a> starts Thursday.Why it matters: The 12-day fair might as well be a state holiday.

The best day to attend the Minnesota State Fair, according to data

We crunched the numbers to find the ideal day.

Looking to beat the crowds at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Minnesota State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/09/03/minnesota-state-fair-2024-attendance-new-post-pandemic-high" data-vars-content-id="e2d8f6f8-8ebc-4e5d-acbb-7a0982c1c42a" data-vars-headline="The best day to attend the Minnesota State Fair, according to data" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/09/03/minnesota-state-fair-2024-attendance-new-post-pandemic-high" target="_self">Minnesota State Fair</a>? Get there on opening day, probably.The big picture: Since 1994, the first Thursday of the 12-day fair has averaged the lowest daily attendance — around 103,000 visitors, according to an Axios analysis.<ul><li>Labor Day weekend sees the biggest crowds — most frequently peaking on the fair&#x27;s final Saturday, with 217,000 attendees on average.</li></ul>

Minnesota State Fair attendance sets new pandemic-era high

Fairgoers set five daily attendance records, overcoming two days of sparse crowds.

Attendance at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Minnesota State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/08/22/new-foods-minnesota-state-fair-best-worst-weirdest" data-vars-content-id="fdce9902-6917-4721-9821-c4bbf87c7bec" data-vars-headline="Minnesota State Fair attendance sets new pandemic-era high" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2024/08/22/new-foods-minnesota-state-fair-best-worst-weirdest" target="_self">Minnesota State Fair</a> topped 1.9 million visitors this year, marking the largest turnout since the 2020 event was canceled due to the pandemic, organizers announced Tuesday.The big picture: Fairgoers reveled in the mostly mild weather during the Get-Together&#x27;s 12-day run.<ul><li>They set five daily attendance records — all on days with highs in the mid 70s to low 80s.</li></ul>

A line chart showing the maximum, average, and minimum attendance at the Minnesota State Fair each day from 1994 to 2024. Day 1 generally has the lowest attendance, while days 9-11 have the highest attendance. Between 100,000 and 200,000 people visit the fair on a single day.

Minnesota State Fair daily attendance, 1994-2025

Note: Excludes COVID-restricted 2021 fair; Data: Minnesota State Fair; Chart: Jacque Schrag/Axios