By the time you read this, the North Dakota State Fair will have concluded. I hope you went. We try to go every year if for no other reason but to get fresh squeezed lemonade or watch the Budweiser Clydesdales. But this venue offers a lot more and if you haven’t been to the state fair, you’re missing out.
Most importantly, the North Dakota State Fair brings the best of our state to Minot each year. And as big as this event has become over the years, it still has that laid back, hometown kind of vibe.
This year, we did a lot of walking, so much so that we got so tired out, got a snack and went up to the mezzanine to watch what was going on down below.
I noticed something that I hadn’t in all the years I’ve gone to the fair dating back to the ‘70s. Young, pre-teen children were engaged and motivated. I didn’t see one bored kid out there, nor did I see or hear any complaining about having to be there.
It’s obvious to me that kids love this entertainment, something that is great for a family because the parents and older kids who may be teenagers, love it too.
There’s so much to do and many of the events are free. Of course, there is gate admission, but you don’t have to spend money once you get in the gate. Most of us do and that’s part of what the state fair is all about.
This year there was a kiosk offering deep-fried alligator. We spend a lot of time in Florida, but we don’t like Florida so much that we would try something like that. The churches have their pies, this year there were two places to get poutine, so that’s catching on. There’s cold beer, all kinds of exhibits and free stages. It’s just too good to pass up.
All 53 counties were represented at the 4-H exhibits. And there was this dessert of some kind made by a 4-H member from Pembina County. I just wanted to open the bag and gobble that thing up. It looked so good.
People design quilts that are on display. We all see quilts, but I don’t think a lot of us consider the amount of detail that goes into making one of them. We took the time to examine them this year and that is some amazing artwork that you’ll never see otherwise unless someone shows you.
The MHA Nation horse race was a sellout. Good on them! I was working at the newspaper in New Town when that got started as a “new” idea. It quickly became more popular on the Rez and now it’s popular enough at the state fair to sell out.
Many of the concerts sold out. We all hope that the fair continues to get top-notch entertainment because it’s obviously a big draw. Over the years, our state fair has been notorious for bringing in some of the top names in entertainment, from the Beach Boys to Blake Shelton to Def Leppard to Johnny Cash.
I don’t know how many people think about this, but you can find some really good Christmas gift ideas at the state fair. Vendors come in from all over the United States and Canada to sell their wares, whatever they may be. Some of the items are quite appealing while others are a novelty most of us should try once.
I should say vendors come in from all over the world. This year while we were ordering fresh squeezed lemonade, the young lady who helped us was from New Zealand and affectionately known as a kiwi.
Unless you live under a rock, you’re always going to see people you know, which brings us back to that hometown vibe. It’s so much fun to run into acquaintances and know they are doing the same thing you are to promote this event.
The carnival rides also have to be mentioned here. I’m at an age in which it no longer piques my interest. But here is another place where the young people are really engaged. Walking through the carnival area, it was obvious the young people were having the time of their live with the chills and thrills.
The state fair displays the best of each county. It brings together the best of us across the state of North Dakota. Whether you’re a business person, a cowboy, a musician, retired military, a radio disk jockey or a vendor from Hannah, N.D. For nine days, we’re all together enjoying that small-town vibe.
