Minnesota State Fair announces virtual edition for 2020, crop art kits available for purchase

Josh Skluzacek
[KSTP-TV]

While the COVID-19 pandemic will prevent Minnesotans from being together in-person during the Great Minnesota Get-Together, they’ll still be able to bring the fair home virtually.

The Minnesota State Fair announced Tuesday that it will have an at-home edition on its website and social media channels so Minnesotans can safely and virtually bring the fair home.

According to the State Fair, there will be daily fair fun facts, memories, demonstrations, entertainment, history tidbits, creative contests, behind-the-scenes peeks, photos, videos and more.

Minnesota State Fair coverage

Many individuals and organizations who play major roles in putting on the fair will provide a variety of content, including the Minnesota Beef Council, American Dairy Association of the Midwest, Minnesota Pork Producers Association and Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers Association, who will be putting together "Minnesota Farm and Food" cooking technique videos.

"We can’t go to the fair this year, so we’re bringing the fair to you," said General Manager Jerry Hammer. "You’ll see familiar favorites and also learn exciting things you never knew about the fair, and hopefully put them on your list to experience next year."

The State Fair also announced two specially designed kits are now on sale — State Fair Party In-A-Box and the Crop Art to Go kit. You can find information on merchandise here.

Additionally, the Minnesota State Fair Foundation, the nonprofit fundraising arm of the fair, is hosting a 12-day online auction during the fair to preserve and improve fair programs, buildings and the fairgrounds. You can find more on that here.

As of Tuesday morning, the fair said they sold out the first batch of kits. More kits will be added in the coming days. Later Tuesday afternoon, the fair said more were available.