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MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - The crowning of the Princess Kay of the Milky Way is the traditional kick-off to the Minnesota State Fair. On Wednesday night, Kyla Mauk, a 19-year-old college student from Howard Lake, Minn., representing Wright County, became the 62nd Princess Kay.
Before you come on down, here’s a peek at some of the new features this year.
“It’s all getting turned on and it’s all coming to life,” Jerry Hammer, General Manager of the State Fair, said.
Over this last week, 1,100 commercial exhibitors and 300 food vendors have prepped a little something for everyone at this year’s Minnesota State Fair.
“There’s always plenty of new exhibits to look forward to every year,” Hammer said.
First, inside the poultry barn there’s no shortage of rabbits for the bunny show, but what you won’t find are turkeys or chickens – “no live birds but a lot of education,” Kim Bartz, Co-Chair of 4H Poultry Committee MN 4H, said.
Industry-led workshops and student driven presentations will be featured. And because the H5N2 bird flu affected more than 9 million Minnesota birds and hundreds of flocks across 23 counties, you can send a sympathy card to mourning farmers.
“We encourage the public to come and grab one of these post cards,” Bartz said.
Meanwhile, over at the eco experience watch out for Bagnado! A 25-foot tall plastic tornado calling attention to the 500 tons of plastic bags Minnesotans throw away every single day.
Another good idea at the fair this year is all the new grub. Mac & cheese cupcakes at Lulu’s, siracha balls at Alton’s BBQ, and Giggles’ Campfire Grill walleye stuffed mushrooms!
For $8.50, Giggles brings you two jumbo caps stuffed with cream cheese, battered breaded walleye, peppers and a special sauce for a true northern fix.
While you’re at the fair, stop by the Fox 9 booth. We’ll have a seat for you to watch our live broadcasts, special prizes and giveaways.