Headed to the State Fair this week? Enter the gates prepared, thanks to our loyal #fairhackers.
Barbaric. Extremely hot & humid. Record high of 98. Dew Point 70. Feels like 105-110. Wind SW 10-17.
— MPR Weather (@MPRweather) August 26, 2013
Meteorologist Paul Huttner says this year’s State Fair is becoming one of the hottest on record. It’s no wonder, then, that most of our recent #fairhacks have to do with staying cool, getting hydrated and keeping your fair travel as efficient as possible, too.
MPR News reporter Curtis Gilbert kicked today off on The Daily Circuit with his own set of heat-busting #fairhacks. For instance:
Avoid some of the highly visited buildings, such as the Miracle of Birth Center, during the busiest parts of the day. Fair workers are trying to keep the animals cool with large fans and water, but visitors won’t find any comfort there.
“Maybe if I had drizzling water on me, like if I was a pregnant sow, then I would feel cooler in there. But it’s pretty hot,” Gilbert said.
Julie Blaha of Ramsey shared her own #fairhack for saving time at the swag booths, while a handful of others offered their best tips for getting to the fair. (Hint: Don’t drive all the way there, if you can help it.)
For the rest of the #fairhack wisdom, we turn to Twitter:
Ziploc bags to hold overflowing Sweet Martha's cookies #fairhack
— DIE!-ana (@logicbutton) August 21, 2013
Go early in the AM. Great if you are bringing kids. No crowd. Stick around long enough that the ppl watching gets good. #fairhack
— Michael Olson (@publicmic) August 25, 2013
Go in the evening when it cools off. Shorter lines and less frenzy. Plus pretty lights! #fairhack
— Jess Horwitz (@jesshorwitz) August 25, 2013
My family's #MNStateFair #Fairhack on video, nature documentary style http://t.co/eo2k4EtWXN @MPRnews
— Tim Post – MPR News (@TimPostMPR) August 26, 2013
Dress children in blaze orange, less likely to lose them in the crowds by the french fry stand #fairhack
— Shannon Drury (@radicalhw) August 22, 2013
Thanks to whoever at @MetroTransitMN made route 960 happen. My preferred #MNStateFair ride from dt Mpls. #fairhack
— Jess Horwitz (@jesshorwitz) August 26, 2013
#fairhack: Ice cold water fountain & multiple ACs @ the Blue Flame Gas Association = amazing. #mnstatefair pic.twitter.com/qaTDjWnhYu
— meg martin (@meg_e_martin) August 26, 2013
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So what’s your #fairhack? Do you have your own pro tip for doing the State Fair right that you’d like to share? Tell us here, or share it in a tweet, tagged #fairhack (and, if you can fit it, #mnstatefair). We’ll be sharing them all week online, on the air and all around social media.