New items and old favorites on Day 1 of the State Fair

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (KMSP) - With a larger crowd than normal, the first day at the Minnesota State Fair felt more like a weekend than the Thursday it falls on this year.

Mild weather and stormy weekend forecasts brought out thousands to the grand opening of the Great Minnesota Get Together, enjoying staples like Sweet Martha's cookie jars and Pronto Pup corn dogs and new items like cranberry meatballs and deep-fried licorice.

2017's biggest attraction might be the Great Big Wheel--a giant Ferris wheel whose name is pretty self explanatory, though its sheer size has to be seen to be truly understood.

It's the largest of its kind in North America, and travels in an entourage of 12 semi trucks to fairs all across the country. 

The view from the top, fairgoers say, is well worth the wait.