Meg Martin
The Salem Lutheran Church diner at the Minnesota State Fair draws large crowds, long lines — and sometimes good-natured jabs about seating — for its breakfast service. Roger O’Daniel, from Minneapolis, shared this #fairhack: “The best food is NOT served on a stick. Check out the church kitchens for a sit-down meal on a plate. You get a balanced meal that will get you through the day and a place to rest your bones while doing so in a quieter place.”(MPR file Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) Nobody does a state fair like Minnesota.
And nobody does The State Fair like Minnesotans.
Everyone’s got a fair hack — that little trick that makes you an insider, the one you swear by, the one that makes your trip (or trips!) to the fair the best possible time — till next year.
Clark Gregor of St. Louis Park drives to the U and takes a free shuttle to the fairgrounds.
Aaron Norman (he lives in Rochester) swears the bathrooms at the 4-H building are the cleanest and least-frequented.
Julie Blaha (from Ramsey) is a State Fair superstar. She pre-prints labels with her name, address and phone number for easy sign-ups at all the booths that are handing out free swag.
Lezlee, Jason and Alex Frank’s #fairhack: Bring your bike. “We started biking to the fair a few years ago as a way to avoid the long parking lines at the fair,” Lezlee said. “We get some exercise, enjoy a nice ride through beautiful neighborhoods, and it’s free!” A handful of folks say the best way to get into the fair is to volunteer. Find an organization you love, sign up for a few hours of work, and get in for free.
For as many people as there are in Minnesota, there have got to be at least as many #fairhacks.
We’ll be gathering — and sharing — them from now till Labor Day here on the Statewide blog, to help fairgoers see the fair in a new way. So: Share early and return often — and tell your fellow fairgoers (we’re tweeting them, too…). Everyone’s got a #fairhack.
See you on the midway!
