The 2021 Minnesota State Fair is fast approaching. After missing the fair last year, Minnesota is more ready than ever to celebrate our great state! With all the fun coming up fast, you’ll want to book your accommodations sooner rather than later. Roseville hotels are so close to the fairgrounds you can basically smell the funnel cakes! Perfectly positioned just a few miles down the road and close to many free park and ride options (face coverings required on all buses), our hotels are the perfect home base for your fair adventures. Get transportation to and from the fairgrounds when you stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton.
Credit: Minnesota State Fair
See here for the most up-to-date information about health & safety and other fair updates.
New Food
Minnesota’s fair is known for its many unique and delicious food options. Every year, we wait with bated breath to learn about the year’s new food vendors and items. We’re sharing some of the most unique new foods below, but make sure to check out the whole list before you go. There are also 56 brand-new and 29 returning fair exclusive beverages to enjoy!
ChoriPop
New fair vendor Andy’s Garage makes the ChoriPop by dipping vegan chorizo from The Herbivorous Butcher in a classic corndog batter and deep-frying it on a stick. Served with choice of avocado salsa or mole sauce drizzled on top or on the side and Mexican BBQ chips. This new vendor is also serving deep-fried cheese or chicken tamales and horchata soft-serve milkshakes and cones. (At the fair Aug. 26-31 only.)
Bison Bites
From Giggles’ Campfire Grill, Bison Bites are a North Woods spin on ravioli with ground bison, braised fennel, portobello mushrooms and fresh basil wrapped in classic egg dough, deep-fried and served with a sweet bourbon sauce with a little kick.
Cucumber Jalepeño Limeade
Limeade made with juiced Minnesota-grown cucumbers and jalapeño syrup, served with a cucumber slice at the Farmers Union Coffee Shop.
Buffalo Chicken Doughscuit
The Buffalo Chicken Doughscuits are fluffy biscuit-style doughnuts stuffed with shredded chicken, glazed with a sweet & spicy buffalo icing, and topped with crispy bacon bits. Find them at the West End Market
La Floretta
At Mancini’s al Fresco, oven-roasted cauliflower florets seasoned with Iron Range herbs and spices and served with Calabrian sweet chili sauce are gluten-free and vegan.
Paneer Pakora
Another gluten-free entry, this time from Hot Indian. Seasoned paneer cheese cubes are fried in a gluten-free batter and served with tomato butter.
New Attractions
Every year, the fair brings in new attractions alongside long-time favorites like the giant slide and the CHS Miracle of Birth Center. This year’s new attractions include a roller coaster, live painting of 10 large-scale murals by local artists, an all-ages sensory friendly building, and a crop art to go competition. There will also be three new health-related attractions. Donate blood at the American Red Cross Blood drive, get a free full-body skin cancer screening at Destination Healthy Skin (August 28 only), and get your covid vaccine at the Community Vaccination Clinic. Explore new vendors in categories like hobbies, home & garden décor, foodie fun, and unique gifts.
Get Ready
Now that you know everything new to see this year, it’s time to get ready! Check the list of discount and special event days, purchase your tickets ahead of time to save money, and book your hotel before you go.