The Minnesota State Fair

Posted at 7:13 PM on August 23, 2006 by Tom Scheck

The 2006 Minnesota State Fair is just hours away from opening. Since I live 8 blocks from the event, I have a love/hate relationship with the event. I hate that people throw garbage in my yard. I love that so many different people make the fair an annual trip and event.

Everyone knows that pronto pups and politics go hand in hand at the fair. The Fair is the official start of the 2006 campaign since it's when the average voter starts paying attention.

This year you can pick up a "Pawlenty Facts on a Stick," fan to cool yourself off, page through the "2006 Minnesota Piglet Book" (The Taxpayer's League book on wasteful spending in Minnesota which will be released on Saturday) or vote for the worst road in Minnesota (from a group that supports dedicating all of the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax to transportation).

The Minnesota Senate (nonpartisan) will also conduct an unofficial State Fair Poll that asks if liquor stores should be open on Sundays, if a half cent 7 county sales tax should be created to fund transit projects and if a statewide smoking ban should be enacted.

You also won't be able to throw a cheese curd without hitting a candidate. Governor Pawlenty will be in a "knowledge bowl event" at 8:30 at the MN Department of Education booth on Thursday morning and will speak at the Eco Experience Grant Opening at 10:30. Republican Congressman Mark Kennedy says he'll be at the Fair almost every day. The DFL Party says their endorsed Senate candidate, Amy Klobuchar, will be at the DFL booth at 5 o'clock on Thursday, August 24th. The DFL party's endorsed candidate for governor, Mike Hatch, will be at the booth on Thursday, August 31st at 6PM.

MPR is also hosting two debates. Four of the DFLers running for Congress in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District will debate the issues on Midday at noon on Thursday, August 24th. It will be at the MPR booth.

The Major Party endorsed candidates for the U.S. Senate will debate the issues on September first at 11 AM in Carousel Park. MPR also had a debate for governor scheduled but it was canceled after Governor Pawlenty and Mike Hatch declined the invitation. Sigh.

Let us know of any other candidate appearances, interesting fair events (political only please) or if you just want to share your favorite Minnesota State Fair experience (political only unless it's a really, REALLY good story).

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