New This Year at the Minnesota State Fair

ST. PAUL - The Great Minnesota Get Together has been going strong for 155 years, but they never fail to bring something new and exciting each year.Sarah Hundt came all the way from Washington State to be at the fair, she said, "It's a Minnesota tradition. You have to come."The Minnesota State Fair is the second largest in the country and has something for everybody.Todd Erickson said, "The rides, the cotton candy, that's what they like."This year the State fair has oodles of new attractions.There's the Bonanza shooting gallery which seems to be an adult favorite.Owner Bruce Pope said, "The kids play it too but a lot of adults my age love it cause we grew up with it."Pope has been trying to get his attraction into the Minnesota State fair for year and he says it's been well worth the wait.Pope said, "It's been crazy here today, so it's a good thing."There are also four new rides for the kids, like Hog Rally.Melissa Arnold came all the way from Lake Villa, IL to enjoy some fair rides with her two boys.Arnold said, "It was fun. The music is loud and the kids enjoyed it."The biker themed ride gave kids the chance to put the pedal to the metal.Arnold asked her son, "Did you enjoy the ride? Do you want to ride it again?"There is of course what everyone really came for...the food.Hundt said "The sunflower honey ice cream in the Egg building. That's our next destination. That's where we're headed."So, wear your extra loose fitting pants, because there are dozens of new foods to try this year.We are only able to show you a fraction of the action because there's so much going on here. There's food, music and fun.___Some other new things this year: The Mighty Midway also features four new rides this year.This year in the North Woods, there will be an Extreme Canine Stunt Dog show. The show features rescue dogs and the show was created specifically for the State Fair.There is a new transit hub at the West End gate designed to create safe and easy access to Park and Ride and Express service buses.Also, this year on August 26th the fair will hold their Military Appreciation day to honor the children of military members and veterans. They will have a parade starting from Leinie Londge Bandshell and ending at Carousel Park.