
2026 Minnesota State Fair Opens with Record Crowds and New Traditions
The 2026 Minnesota State Fair opened on August 27 with ideal weather and massive crowds, potentially challenging the 2024 attendance record. Gates opened at 7 a.m., with nine-year-old MaryJane Burgett claiming the first-in-line title after camping near the entrance for 24 hours. The fair runs for 12 days, featuring new food items like 'Moo-sota Apple Pie' ice cream and a reorganized crop art line to manage congestion. Bonnie Raitt headlined the Grandstand on opening night, while Jena Hanson was crowned the 73rd Princess Kay of the Milky Way. Baked goods submissions hit a record 4,135, reflecting a 30% increase from previous years.



