Featured Fit: The Minnesota State Fair

It's that time of year again...time for the Minnesota State Fair!

I posted about the fair last summer as a Failed Fit- you can read that post HERE. I called it a failed fit because it includes some unhealthy eats. Nonetheless, it's a yearly tradition for Dustin and me, even though it's not the healthiest day of our summer.

I think in some states, the state fair is not that big of a deal. Yet in Minnesota, it's a very unique experience, and it seems like most everyone attends at least once during the two week period.  Everyone goes there for a different reason- to ride the carnival rides, to show one of their farm animals, to shop, to eat, to drink, whatever!

Yesterday was our day to check this end-of-the-summer event off the list. It has been insanely hot in Minneapolis the past week, but yesterday was actually nice and cool- perfect for the fair. We started in the horticulture building, where you can admire the crop art. This is art work made entirely out of seeds!

The horticulture building also housed a craft brewers' booth. You could try a flight of four local beers for $8.

I also tasted the BEST new fair food (in my opinion). Cheese curds covered with cocoa puffs!

You can find them at Axels for $5. So good! Usually I can't finish an order of cheese curds, but we couldn't put these down! They were the perfect mix of savory and sweet, and surprisingly not as greasy as a normal cheese curd. They were served with a chocolate dipping sauce, which only added to the yumminess. And what goes better with your cocoa puff cheese curds than a tasty (non-alcoholic) Pina Colada from Manny's Tortas? Cocoa-puff-covered-cheese curds are not exactly the right fit, but hey, it's only once a year, right? They were worth it!

After we had filled up our bellies, we hit up all the other usual fair "hot spots"- the art building, the Giant Slide, the DNR building, the Miracle of Birth center, the goat barn, the chicken barn, and more!

Ducklings in the Miracle of Birth Center

We also stopped to check out the alpacas. How cute is this guy?

The alpacas were adorable, and their fur was very soft. We also purchased some alpaca slippers. So cozy! And don't worry, no alpacas were hurt in the making of the slippers.

My alpaca slippers are probably my new favorite fit! 

So what to wear to the State Fair?

It's the fair- you can definitely keep it casual there. Shorts and a tee are just fine. You see a little bit of everything at the fair. But I definitely would suggest wearing comfortable shoes for all the walking, and maybe not open shoes (think about all the animals stuff that's on the ground!) Tom's are a good choice.

I also suggest a cross-body purse or bag, so your hands are free and your wallet is secure.
You can read the full Star Tribune article with tips for the what to wear to the fair here:
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/style/220541121.html

....and did I mention that I milked a goat? Yep, sure did! It was a fundraiser for a youth group, so for just $1, the little girl in the picture below would explain what to do, and you could give it a go. It was easy! I think its time for Dustin and me to buy a goat, an alpaca, and go live off the grid for awhile. What do you think?