Minnesota State Fair Photos

I've been attending the "Great Minnesota Get-Together" since I can remember as a little kid. I remember a picture of me with a clown and the Channel 4 WCCCO helicopter by the bridge ramp going to the Grandstand. I decided to do a photo gallery of my experience with friends, family, and love ones overall at this annual event-"The Minnesota State Fair"....

It was Brett's first time riding a city bus, which he was anticipating as we parked by Energy Drive (ETC Building) with my mom. It was forecasted to rain all week, but the Lord stopped the weather predictions that tried to dampen or fun! It didn't rain until Saturday evening as the rain kept west of the fairground-from Morris to the west suburbs of Minneapolis-halleluah!

One of the cool encounters I faced was meeting someone (at the International Bazaar-cultural village in the southeastern corner of the fairgounds) that knew a family that used to live in Morris. This family moved to Zambia around 2002.

Brett checking out a window pain trimming display at the Dairy Building (good dairy products here!)

Brett checking out the Butter Fly Display

Butterflies up-close!

Brett doing the "dance game" at the arcade

Man dress in all gold except his silver watch (pointed out by Brett!)

My mom posing in front of the Minnesota State Fair sign beside the Grandstand

Brett and my Mom leaving the and heading towards the "Mighty Midway"

Brett tried to take a picture at the "World of Wonders Palace of Illusions " inside the Big "Freak" Tent
Related Articles:
'Freak shows' back at the Fair Sword swallowers, fire eaters and snake charmers are just some of the acts this sideshow features in an attempt to 'bring the nostalgia back.'
BY MARICELLA MIRANDA
Pioneer Press
"Step right up!
And advances in modern medicine and science have made it more rare to find people with deformities that could make an act, Hall said. The few remaining human oddity stars now live in Gibsonton, Fla., also known as Showtown USA; Hall and the 76-year-old, 3-foot-11-inch fire eater Norbert Terhune, who travels with Hall's show, live there. This week, Hall interviewed actresses to play the parts of "freaks," such as Rubber Girl and Snake Girl.
World of Wonders at Pennsylvania State Fair in 2005, from mundie art.com
"The World of Wonders didn't seem to be quite ready for business yet, so Kate and I strolled around the midway for a bit soaking in the atmosphere and distributing our patronage around to small attractions like the Giant Pig on view for a mere 50-cents (worth every penny). There was also the fair's free display of barnyard critters to check out, which is always amusing. By the time we made it back around, Ward was talking a free bally with a crowd in front of him. Little Pete "Poobah" Terhurne was eating fire in a long-practiced manner. Swords were swallowed, a pretty tattooed girl was trotted out."

Mom playing the rolling the ball into a colored hole horse race game

Cory was very excited to ride a city bus for the first time to the fairgounds. We parked at the Roseville lot (County Rd. C/D and Snelling Avenue) after arriving early Friday morning from Morris. He spent a lot of time checking out cars...

Cory signing up for a contest giveaway prize

Checking out the wind-turbine display at the Science Expo or Eco Experience

Cory playing legos at the Science Expo

Cory observing one of many cars at the various car sales displays

Cory up front during the "live" taping of the 12 noon news at the WCCO area

Skit at a car dealership, which Cory was very fond of.

A cool place to visit for "soul food" is the Cross Roads Chapel. It's a place to relax and take a break from the "chaos" at times you might encounter during a trip to the fair.

Related Articles:
Crossroads Chapel going strong after 50 years at Minnesota State Fair by Bryan Malley (August 2004) from Minnesota Christian Chronicle
"When the chapel was started in 1954, the early ministry was nothing more than a tent erected each year where volunteers showed Christian films and held Sunday services. The first permanent building was built in 1962 and parts of that structure were used to build the current building in 1986. For many years, there was a varying degree of quality in the performances given at the chapel.
Swanson said that it was KTIS that came alongside chapel directors and suggested that the organization should do something to increase the quality of performers. "I agree with that because we should be putting our best foot forward as Christians to spread the Gospel," shared Swanson.
Following that suggestion, Crossroads Ministries decided to bring on Jim Prior as program director. Acts for the chapel's 52 open time slots are selected by Prior and a group of people that review the more than 300 applications received each year. Applicants send in a CD or video of their act.
"Our mission is twofold. For those who are believers, Crossroads Chapel is a great place to rest a while and listen to Christian music or a speaker," Prior told the MCC last year. "For others that don't know Christ, it's an opportunity to hear about the Christian faith and help them in any way we can to become a follower of Jesus."

Attractions

Space Tower
Birds eye view of Minneapolis and St Paul 2007

"Riding the Space Tower at the Minnesota State Fair 2007 "