The Minnesota State Fair's Lost and Found

Nikki Tundel, Minnesota Public Radio

The summer crowds have vacated the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Some of their stuff, however, is still out there.

Each year, the fair's Lost and Found Office takes in hundreds of items -- from cell phones and car keys to baby strollers and Barbie dolls. Employees catalog and tag everything that's turned in. Then they simply wait, hoping the original owners will come claim their possessions.

People have 30 days after the fair ends to retrieve their lost belongings. What's left after that is given to charity. Only about 30 percent of the items that make their way to the Lost and Found Office are ever claimed.

Supervisor Ron Auger gave Minnesota Public Radio a tour of what this year's fairgoers carried with them to the grounds - and left without.