Minnesota State Fair 2012 - Suggestions (Cook: schools, university, food)

[golfgal]

We've used the free buses from the lot on Snelling and 94. It was closed last year because of light rail construction. I haven't looked to see if it is open this year or not. You do need to get there early or the lot will be full. It's an easy way to get to/from the fair. We haven't had any issues with "shady" characters on the free bus from that site.

[srsmn]

Originally Posted by Zipppy

It will be our first time to the Minnesota State Fair. Any suggestions as to what not to miss in terms of food and events. Also any suggestions as to parking would be great!!!

Thanks

My two "can't misses": The Arts Building (and for that matter, the crafts building), and a milkshake or malt from the Kiwanis booth.

Oh, and cheese kurds....gotta get cheese kurds. The Leinenkugel stage is always fun, too...

[srsmn]

^^^Agreed, golfgal.

I've done the buses from Ridgedale, and from Dunwoody. They're a breeze, and it saves on parking.

Getting there early certainly helps. At Dunwoody there is plenty of on-street parking, though, so I went mid-Afternoon and didn't have too much driving around to do, looking for a spot.

What direction is the OP coming from?

[billhelm]

My contrary opinion on parking - I've parked on the grounds the last few years out of necessity (young kids and a stroller that I'm not gonna navigate on the buses.) after trying every other option possible over the last 15 years. I was pleasantly surprised - It's less hassle than the free buses and can be the same or less $ than taking the pay busses if you have a lot of people. You don't have to wait around for buses if you come or go at a popular time. you do have to wait in a medium sized line of cars depending on time of day but it moves fast, etc. Take Cleveland Ave to Commonwealth Ave and in through that gate - it works pretty good. There's people coming and going from that back lot by the grandstand all day and I've never seen it totally full where they were turning people away.

I've always found the blue ribbon coupon books to be a good value. They're available at booths near most of the gates

[asitshouldbe]

FOOD and concerts, we will be seeing KISS and Motley Crue! YAY!

[StilltheSame]

Sweet Martha's cookies
Corn on the cob.

Oh the memories.

[Missourian11]

Go to the fair as early as you can on Sunday of Labor Day weekend when the buses start running.

Be sure to eat cheese curds! They are to die for! I can't comment on any fried food on stick since I don't eat fried food.

[Mdcastle]

I always just get there early and pay to park in the state fair lots. It's expensive but so is everything else at the fair, and some of the parking is inside the gate so you can go to and from your car at will and not have to carry around a jacket or whatever all day, or you can stash the stuff you buy. You can park for free along some of the neighborhood streets but it's a long walk to the fair on top of all the other walking you'll be doing.

[sondra_finchley]

I just can't agree with those Sweet Martha's Cookies - I found them to be overly greasy and half cooked. We didn't even get a bucket but a small plate and after my mom, bf, and myself each had one, threw the rest away. My advice - try one first before committing to a $20 bucket of cookies!

We did like the bull bites though, and some peach and ginger snap thing we got last year.

To note: Last year we went on the Sunday before Labor Day and apparently buses werent running from the church parking lot on Snelling by the highland park golf course because it was the Sunday before Labor Day. No sign was up, so we stood around with a bunch of other people before somebody came by and told us. Then I think we parked at that Bandana Square and took a shuttle in which was handy enough.

I liked looking at the livestock and the 4H kids showing their projects, and we saw some barrel racing in the indoor arena that was fun.

[golfgal]

I like the french fries too.

We usually try to see Tonic Sol Fa if they are there too

I mainly like the people watching .