Residents of the state and region come to the fair to be entertained, exhibit their best livestock, show off their abilities in a variety of fields including art and cooking, learn about new products and services, and eat many different types of food—often on a stick.

Minneapolis, the younger city of the pair, eventually outdid its neighbor by staging the larger fair with the help of William S.

Part of the job involves posing for several hours in a walk-in, glass-walled refrigerator as a 90-pound (41 kg) block of butter is carved into a head with her likeness.

Butter makers started sculpting their products at the fair as far back as 1898, although the head-sculpting tradition did not begin until 1964.

One of the most significant dates in the fair's history was September 2, 1901, when then-Vice President Theodore Roosevelt was visiting and first uttered the famous phrase, "Speak softly and carry a big stick."

During his appearance at the Norse-American Centennial, President Calvin Coolidge gave recognition to the contributions of Scandinavian-Americans and noted Leif Erikson as the discoverer of America.

The fair was not held in 1945, as fuel was in short supply due to World War II and it was again cancelled in 1946 because of an outbreak of polio.

[16] Of the decision to cancel, Hammer stated "this is the time of year when things really need to take off, and we can't do it.

"[17] Instead, a food parade featuring several well-known State Fair vendors was held on several dates in October.

[18] To make up for 2020's cancellation, the fair management hosted its first-ever spring event entitled "Kickoff To Summer" featuring scaled-back concessions and attractions.

[23] Foods served at the annual Minnesota State Fair have traditionally included watermelon pickles, baked beans, buffalo burgers, deep-fried cheese curds, cotton candy, glazed ham, Australian battered potatoes, chimichangas and homemade apple pie.

[24] Some foods reflect Minnesota's agriculture, including cheese curds, milk shakes, and corn dogs.

[25] In 2018, 27 new foods were introduced to the Minnesota State Fair including Firecracker Shrimp Stuffed Avocado, Honey Cream Soda Float, Mangonada Shaved Ice, Messy Giuseppe, Nordic Waffles, Smoked Soft Serve Ice Cream, and the UpNorth Puff Pastry.

[26] New foods for 2019 included fried tacos on a stick, stuffed cabbage rolls, feta bites, shrimp and grits fritters, blueberry key lime pie, Buffalo chicken chimichanga and assorted other dessert selections.

For several decades, it held the largest annual display of farm equipment in the world, with many companies showing off tractors, combines, and various attachments.

However, modern displays generally focus on cars, trucks, lawn mowers, hot tubs and recreational machines like motorbikes.

In this exhibit, children get to experience life on the farm from planting seeds to selling goods at the farmers market.

It hosts the largest of the fair's concerts and until 2002 was also the site of stock car races run on a small oval track.

In 2003 the facility completed the first phase of a $35 million remodeling project that removed large sections of bleachers and increased seating capacity to 17,000.

[30] Most local television and radio stations set up temporary studios at the State Fair in their permanent buildings or booths.

In 2012 the fair began holding the Walker Art Center's Internet Cat Video Festival in the grandstand.

Media include watercolor, oil, and acrylic paintings, photographs, sculptures, pastels, ceramics, glass, and textiles.

[31] For decades the display was dominated by Owatonna native Lillian Colton (1912–2007), who created seed portraits, professionally,[32] having effectively captured scores of celebrities such as Ernest Hemingway, Barbra Streisand, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Prince, Princess Diana, and Willie Nelson in her crop art.

[33] There are competitions in dozens of categories in needlecraft, garment-making, wood-working, models, painting, doll-making, taxidermy, stamp-collecting, scrapbooking, baking, canning, and others.

The non-livestock projects include photography, performing arts, crafts, food & nutrition, and clothing & textiles.

For the price of $8,500 McFadden got 30 tons of wood and steel decorated with 68 hand carved horses, 2 chariots and an organ from the Philadelphia Toboggan Company.

[42] The idea that the State Fair Carousel would be lost to Minnesota prompted a public effort to save it.

The fair's oldest existing ride, Ye Old Mill (opened in 1915), is located near the food building.

[53] Dressed like an early barker on the midway with a straw hat and striped jacket, Fairchild has represented the fair since 1966.

Many buildings on the fair grounds are rented for winter storage of boats, camping trailers, and similar equipment.