Minnesota State Fair hoping to bring mix of virtual, in-person activities amid pandemic

Organizers of the Minnesota State Fair announced at least one program will happen in-person while others will transition online.

"We’re looking at ways to potentially still bring some sort of the fair to Minnesotans," said Danielle Dullinger, the fair spokesperson.

The Fine Arts Exhibition will happen in-person during special ticketed gallery showings from Aug. 27 through Sept. 7. There will also be a video tour and free virtual catalog that will include artwork descriptions, artist information and links to artists’ web presence for those that would like to see the works of art from afar. You can find more information here.

Other aspects of the fair will go virtual.

The 67th annual coronation for Princess Kay of the Milky Way will take place in a private coronation ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 12 and will be livestreamed on Facebook. The tradition of sculpting the likenesses of Princess Kay and the candidates in butter at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds will also be available to view online, starting on Thursday, August 13.

"We can still connect together and still share those memories together even if it looks a little bit different," said the current Princess Kay of the Milky Way, Amy Kyllo. "Princess Kay hasn’t stopped. We’re still here representing Minnesota dairy farmers."

Kyllo said, even though the crowds cannot see the animals at the fairgrounds this year, she hopes people continue to recognize the contributions of Minnesota’s agriculture industry.

"I want everyone to know just how much we care as dairy farmers because, for me, dairy farming is more than a job," Kyllo said. "It’s a way I can bless my community."

To learn more about the Princess Kay of the Milky Way program, click here.

Fair organizers also hinted they will make another announcement about vendors in the coming weeks.

"We’re looking at ways to support our vendors. That’s what I can tell you," said Dullinger. "We’re looking at ways because that’s been the biggest feedback is how can we support, you know, these 1,000 vendors that you have on your fairgrounds every year? We do have a few more things that we’re working on."

For now, you can enjoy a small piece of the fair at home. They are selling sleeves of Minnesota State Fair cups at the fairgrounds on Tuesdays and Thursdays in July. Click here for more details.