The State Fair is Back!

Like many of you, I’m a Minnesota State Fair fanatic. I don’t know if this is in my DNA (I'm from Minnesota, dontcha know?) or if it’s a learned love from many years of attending. But with the return of the Minnesota State Fair, I thought I’d provide you with some tools to assess whether you, too, are a State Fair fanatic.

Let’s start with this—do you plan your vacation days around the State Fair? Or when it comes to fair food, do you know the difference between a Pronto Pup and a corn dog? Do you have strong opinions about Tiny Tim versus Tom Thumb donuts? Do you know where to get the cheapest drinks, or do you find yourself reminiscing about how the All You Can Drink Milk used to be 25 cents? If these describe you, congratulations, you’re a true fair fanatic.

It doesn’t matter why you love the fair—even if it’s just to check out the largest boar in all his glory—as long as you find something to love. Yes, I realize that the Minnesota State Fair is not for everyone. Some people just don’t appreciate butter sculptures, food on a stick, farm animals, and people watching. But for the rest of us, the State Fair is quintessential Minnesota and over two million people visit the State Fair in a normal year. Indeed, the folks in marketing got it right when they coined the term “The Great Minnesota Get-Together.”

This issue of Live Play AAA has some excellent content, including (surprise!) a feature on the Minnesota State Fair. Raya Garrison, another self-professed state fair fanatic, interviewed General Manager Jerry Hammer and shares his unique perspective on running the historic event each year. Our expert travel writer, Renata Faeth, shares must-have tips and trends for planning travel now or in the future. Finally, our cover story by Liv Martin captures the beauty and splendor of visiting Cape Cod in the fall.

I hope you enjoy this issue of Live Play AAA!

Jesse Simon
Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications
Managing Editor, Live Play AAA

EDITOR’S NOTE: The President’s column will return in the next issue of Live Play AAA, with a message from Tae Kim, the new AAA Minneapolis President and CEO.