Minnesota in Photos

An exploration of our state in images.

August 23, 2012

Photos: Opening day at the 2012 Minnesota State Fair


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Officials estimate 1.8 million people will come out for the 2012 Minnesota State Fair, which features this year a Middle Eastern dish of marinated lamb testicles, old favorites like the swine barn and a wine contest.

Gunner Liebl, clipping a lamb

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Falcon Heights, Minnesota, USA — Gunner Liebl, 5, assists his mother Andrea Spray with some clipping of their Registered Columbian ewe lamb on the opening day of the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights, Minn. Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012. The family, from Milan, Minn., were preparing the ewe to show Friday. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Exercising the lambs

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Falcon Heights, Minnesota, USA — From left, Catrina Darling, 16, of Eitzen, Minn. and her cousin Cheryl Kirchner, 19, of Calendonia, Minn. take their lambs for a walk on the opening day of the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights, Minn. Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012. The cousins will be showing their lambs Friday. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Joking around

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Falcon Heights, Minnesota, USA — Cousins Jenny Welu, left, and Amy Welu of Milroy, Minn. have some fun with boards used for livestock demonstrations on the opening day of the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights, Minn. Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Sitting with swine

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Falcon Heights, Minnesota, USA — Friends Mary Welin, 16, of Fosston, Minn., and Vanessa Weiland, 19, of Roseau, Minn., sit with Weiland's Black Exotic market guild in the swine barn on the opening day of the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights, Minn. Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Guiding pigs

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Falcon Heights, Minnesota, USA — Pigs are guided through the stalls in the swine barn on the opening day of the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights, Minn. Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Sampling lamb fries

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Falcon Heights, Minnesota, USA — Danielle Bakun reacts after sampling Holy Land Deli's lamb fries with her mom Gerri Bakun, left, and her sister Nicole Pinkosh on the opening day of the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights, Minn. Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012. The traditional Middle Eastern lamb testicles dish are a new addition to the fair in 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Brushing a sheep

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Falcon Heights, Minnesota, USA — A sheep is prepared for showing on the opening day of the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights, Minn. Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Game winnings

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Falcon Heights, Minnesota, USA — Josh Tague of New Hope, Minn. carries his midway game prize during the opening day of the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights, Minn. Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Large crowds

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Falcon Heights, Minnesota, USA — Crowds fill Cooper Street on the opening day of the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights, Minn. Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Examining crop art

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Falcon Heights, Minnesota, USA — Maggie Boese of Holloway, Minn. examines the seed art winners on the opening day of the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights, Minn. Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

Wine sampling

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Falcon Heights, Minnesota, USA — A judge samples a wine contest entry on the opening day of the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights, Minn. Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

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