Have fun at the fair (and learn something too)!

By Eva Lewandowski

As the summer draws to an end, many here in Minnesota will be making a trip to the State Fair, and many others will have already attended a county fair. County and state fairs offer a wide variety of food, games, and entertainment, but they’re also a wonderful learning environment. They provide visitors with the chance to meet new people, explore exhibits, and get information on a whole host of topics. Whether you’re at the State Fair, a local fair, or even visiting a fair out of state, keep your eyes open for some of these great opportunities:

  • Sewing, knitting, & other crafts– As a quilter of only moderate experience, I always get so much inspiration from inspecting the beautiful, ribbon-winning quilts at fairs. The wonderful homemade clothing, rugs, and blankets are also a joy to look at. Sometimes you’ll even find demonstrations and presentations in this part of the fair. Just yesterday at the State Fair, I watched a woman spinning wool into yarn!
  • Canned goods– Preserving your own food is a great way to eat sustainably, and fairs usually have very competitive canned good contests. Get ideas for new dishes from looking at the entries on display, or get tips on perfecting your canning during the judging events.
  • Local companies– Many fairs have a building or area devoted to local businesses, especially local restaurants and catering companies with food trucks. This is an easy and convenient time to meet local business owners and their employees and learn about their companies.
  • Environmental displays– From the recycling and low waste meals presentations at the State Fair’s Eco Experience to gardening and solar power demonstrations at local fairs, these days you can almost always find informative exhibits specifically designed to educate about environmental issues. These are often hosted by nonprofits or state organizations like the DNR.
  • Agriculture buildings– For many urban dwellers, fairs are the only chance they have to see and touch livestock and to witness firsthand where much or our food actually comes from. From vegetable crops to chickens to cows being milked, there’s always something to learn about in this part of the fair.
  • Politics– local politicians can often be found at fairs to campaign, or sometimes just to talk to their constituents. If you have questions or comments you want to share with an elected official, the fair can be a convenient time to do so.

Of course, these are just a few of the many opportunities available at state and county fairs. Visiting a fair can be a fun, educational, and culturally rewarding experience. And remember, if the price of an admission ticket is too steep for your budget, consider volunteering at the fair! Many nonprofits need volunteers to staff their educational booths. Doing so will usually get you a free ticket to the fair, and it will provide you with even more chances to meet new people and learn from their experiences!

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