The Minnesota State Fair has seen a lot of changes over the years

Since the 1800s, the Minnesota State Fair has undergone many changes throughout its time as the “Great Minnesota Get-Together.”

Origins of the fair

It shouldn’t surprise you that the Minnesota State Fair’s history begins with the state’s founding. According to the Minnesota State Fair, the celebration began before Minnesota was even a state, but a territory.

The Minnesota Agricultural Society was founded in 1854 to promote agriculture by presenting an annual fair in the Minnesota Territory. The first fair was held in 1855 with the Agricultural Society when Minnesota was still a territory.

The first proper state fair wouldn’t take place until 1859, one year after Minnesota became the 32nd state.

In the early years, the State Fair traveled to a different location each year, with stops in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Red Wing, Winona and Owatonna.

Groups in Minneapolis and St. Paul attempted to create a permanent home for the fair in their respective cities throughout the 1870s and 1880s, but struggled to agree on where it should go.

It wasn’t until 1885, when Ramsey County donated a 210-acre poor farm to the state for the Agricultural Society’s use, that the State Fair finally had a home.

Those 210 acres in 1885 would become the permanent home of the Minnesota State Fair and has not changed locations since.

Growing and expanding

The Minnesota State Fairgrounds is much larger than its 19th-century origins, now covering 322 acres to accommodate the almost 2 million fairgoers who visit each year.

“Lots more people,” fairgoer Sue Mitchell said, but added that it hasn’t ruined the experience. “It’s a lot of fun. There’s a lot of things to do, lots of things to see.”

In its early years, the State Fair focused heavily on agricultural exhibits and competitions, encouraging farming in Minnesota. While agriculture to this day remains an integral part of the Minnesota State Fair, the Great Minnesota Get-Together now features a number of attractions including rides, grandstand concerts, live shows and of course the food.

“I would say you gotta get a turkey leg and get the most unusual food you can possibly find here,” Nick, whose first state fair was in 2022, said. “It’s fun to see the changes and what’s trending. This year it seems to be really about dill pickle, previous years ranch and all sorts of different food trends you wouldn’t come up with at home.”

Fairgoers recall the changes they’ve seen at the fair

The Minnesota State Fair has seen many changes since its inception. Attractions at the fair at one time included air shows, horse races and stockyard cars, all of which are no longer featured attractions.

“I came to this fair when they actually had stockyard races at the Grandstand,” Sue said. “My cousin, ‘Wild Bill’ Mueler ran in those races, and I remember coming here with my family, and that was one thing for sure we had to do.”

For other visitors like Sue’s husband, Dave Mitchell, the simple changes have stood out to him most since he first entered the Minnesota State Fair gates.

“I was a little kid that saved up all year with my allowance and everything, and I blew it in about 10 minutes in the Midway,” Dave recalled. “There’s a lot more things here. They’ve filled in a lot of the spaces.”

Regardless of whether it’s 1859 or 2026, the State Fair will always hold a special place in every Minnesotan’s heart.

To learn more about the history of the Minnesota State Fair, be sure to visit the History and Heritage Center on the fairgrounds or visit the Minnesota State Fair website to learn more.

The post The Minnesota State Fair has seen a lot of changes over the years first appeared on KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News.