![The Great Minnesota Get-Together](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC00185.jpg)
Yesterday my family and I went to the Minnesota State Fair. Living less than 3 miles from the fair grounds is convenient when you want to go and can be home in 15 minutes, but the when the wind is just right you can smell deep fried goodness outside. It’s hard to think of anything but french fries, corn dogs and anything else deep fried (especially when you’re on your way to the gym).
We always have fun at the fair mostly due to these two cuties:
![The Great Minnesota Get-Together](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC00216.jpg)
My kids love the play farm. It’s a fun activity that tries to teach farming to kids. They’re given cute little work aprons and a bucket. First they “collect” the grain for the animals.
![The Great Minnesota Get-Together](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC00187.jpg)
Then they get to drive a tractor.
![The Great Minnesota Get-Together](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC00188.jpg)
Then they plant a seed and harvest some veggies. Wow those veggies sure grew quickly!
![The Great Minnesota Get-Together](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC00204.jpg)
Had to stop and take a break from all the hard work.
![The Great Minnesota Get-Together](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC00212.jpg)
![The Great Minnesota Get-Together](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC00217.jpg)
Next they collect wool from a sheep and milk from a cow.
![The Great Minnesota Get-Together](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC00219.jpg)
Next they pick some apples,
![The Great Minnesota Get-Together](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC00220.jpg)
and finally sell their goods at the local market in exchange for some money
![The Great Minnesota Get-Together](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC00222.jpg)
which they use to buy a mini box of cereal or a real apple.
![The Great Minnesota Get-Together](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC00226.jpg)
My favorite part of the fair is the creative annex. Here’s where everyone showcases their work.
Connor admiring the hand made teddy bears.
You can get so many ideas. Just look at some of the great stuff I saw.
I couldn’t figure out what the apple was made of. Looks amazing!
I love the colors on this quilt!
Knitting is a very large, competitive category. There’s a high Scandinavian population in MN and you get beautiful entries like this.
This looks like a great Christmas quilt!
This mini quilt was just the right size for a dolly. I love how they used flower buttons in the baskets!
Hey, these look familiar!
![The Great Minnesota Get-Together](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC00124.jpg)
![The Great Minnesota Get-Together](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC00137.jpg)
![The Great Minnesota Get-Together](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC00146.jpg)
I love looking at the canned goods! They look so beautiful! It makes me want to do more canning!
![The Great Minnesota Get-Together](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC00158.jpg)
![The Great Minnesota Get-Together](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC00150.jpg)
And the baked goods! So pretty!
![The Great Minnesota Get-Together](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC00159.jpg)
![The Great Minnesota Get-Together](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC00165.jpg)
![The Great Minnesota Get-Together](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC00162.jpg)
Another new favorite spot is the Eco Building (where everything eco-friendly is showcased from solar panels and wind power to farm shares to electric cars.
This is is always a favorite stop for my husband especially this year since he got a chance to finally see a Tesla Roadster in person.
![The Great Minnesota Get-Together](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC00182.jpg)
Finally we ended up in the animal barns. Every time my daughter saw a different animal she got really excited. “Hi cow! Cows make milk. . . . . I love milk! Cows say moo!”
![The Great Minnesota Get-Together](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC00249.jpg)
Last but not least, we must mention the food.
![The Great Minnesota Get-Together](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC00172.jpg)
Almost everything at the fair comes on a stick. Hot dish (or casserole for non-Minnesotans) on a stick, pork chops on a stick, deep fried twinkie on a stick, gator on a stick and even this cool potato twister on a stick.
![The Great Minnesota Get-Together](https://www.punkinpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSC00231.jpg)
Mmmm.. . . . makes me hungry just thinking about it.
We are about the same distance from the MN fair too. We often sit outside and listen to the concerts after the kids go to bed.
ooo..we’re planning on going on Thursday-looks like a good time. I haven’t gone for YEARS.