State fair, here we come!
The Great Minnesota Get-Together opens on Thursday, August 26 and will run for three weeks through Labor Day (Monday, September 6). Beyond a host of new food and beverage options, this year’s State Fair will likely look a little different given widespread concerns over the spread of the Delta variant. Read on for everything we know right now.
COVID precautions
Fair organizers may opt to instate a mask mandate that would compel guests to mask up while indoors at the fair. They could also impose a capacity limit on the entire fairground: Those who want to guarantee their spots should look into pre-fair tickets. These tickets are $13 for guests ages 5 and up as opposed to the door price of $16 for ages 13-64 year olds and $14 for seniors (65+) and children (5-12). They are available until 9pm on Thursday, August 25.
New vendors
Local hummus vendor Baba’s Hummus and Solem Concessions Cheese Curds and Mini Donuts have recently joined the list of vendors. Baba’s will serve hummus bowls that highlight their wide assortment of hummus flavors (from dill pickle to truffle!) with sides of pita bread to scoop. Solem Concessions Cheese Curds and Mini Donuts will serve just that: blueberry mini donuts and a classic lineup of cheese curd flavors including Cajun, a never-before-seen flavor at the Fair.
Previously announced newcomers to the fair include Fluffy’s Hand Cut Donuts; Scenic 61 by New Scenic Cafe, a street food spot inspired by the North Shore; Midtown Global Market’s Andy’s Garage, and Summer Lakes Beverage, which’ll serve up summery tea, citrusy drinks, and mocktails.
A huge drink lineup
The State Fair recently announced their staggering 56 new additions to their 300+ item beverage lineup. Among local brews and ciders, you’ll find some unique picks. Standouts include the Aromatic Mike’s® Hard Lemonade Slushie, which spruces up the classic alcoholic lemonade with rhubarb bitters; the blue-tinted Blue Rasmatazz which fuses beer and blue raspberry flavor, and the Fruity Pebbles-rimmed Flirty Fruity Pebbles wine. Non-alcoholic standouts include the lavender-infused Lake Storm Lemonade and the ginger-citrus Wedge-Hammer mocktail. Among the 29 returning State Fair-exclusive beverages are the Chocolate Chip Cookie Beer, the pickle and Havarti-garnished Dill Pickle Ale, and the much-lauded Beergarita with Wisconsin honey.
[Featured image: Flickr]