Fairly Unbalanced

Minnesota State Fair food reviews, news and more

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I am a lifelong Minnesota State Fair enthusiast from Minneapolis, Minnesota. I’ve attended over 30 years of the Great Minnesota Get-Together, trying nearly every food on offer and wearing down numerous pairs of shoes. I draw on my years of Fair experience to guide you through the hits and misses of my favorite event of the year.
  • Twin Cities Events Calendar — November 2nd-8th

    Twin Cities Events Calendar — November 2nd-8th

    Welcome to the Twin Cities Events Calendar, where we will feature festivals, block parties, exhibitions and other events each week that are similar to the Minnesota State Fair, for those who want to enjoy the rest of what the Twin Cities have to offer year-round! This weekly calendar will be posted each Thursday, covering the following seven days. Know of an event coming up in future weeks, or know of an event we missed on the current calendar? Email us at fairlyunbalancedmn@gmail.com

    Friday, November 2nd:

    • Art Attack 2018: Be sure to attend this weekend packed with the visual artworks of over 300 visual artists and the sounds of a variety of singer/songwriters and composers. Put on your walking shoes and allow plenty of time to explore the 4 floors of the Northrup King Building, talk with the artists, listen to the music and try your hand at an interactive art activity.
      • Time: 5pm-10pm; also Sat. 12pm-8pm, Sun. 12pm-5pm
      • Location: Northup King Building, Northeast Minneapolis
      • Admission: Free
      • For more information: Facebook Event Page

    Saturday, November 3rd:

    • Get Out The Vote Concert: Featuring Solid Gold, Malamanya, Dem Atlas, Yam Haus, and DJ Keezy.
      • Time: 7pm
      • Location: First Avenue, Downtown Minneapolis
      • Admission: $10
      • For more information: Facebook Event Page

    Tuesday, November 6th:

    • VOTE!: November 6th is Election Day! Make sure to get out to your polling place and cast your ballot!
    • Brewery Comedy Tour: National stand-up comedians performing their sets in a brewery, what could be a better combination?
      • Time: 7:30pm-9:30pm
      • Location: 56 Brewing, Northeast Minneapolis
      • Admission: $15
      • For more information: Facebook Event Page
  • Twin Cities Events Calendar — October 26th-November 1st

    Twin Cities Events Calendar — October 26th-November 1st

    Welcome to the Twin Cities Events Calendar, where we will feature festivals, block parties, exhibitions and other events each week that are similar to the Minnesota State Fair, for those who want to enjoy the rest of what the Twin Cities have to offer year-round! This weekly calendar will be posted each Thursday, covering the following seven days. Know of an event coming up in future weeks, or know of an event we missed on the current calendar? Email us at fairlyunbalancedmn@gmail.com

    Friday, October 26th:

    • Sever’s Fall Festival: Celebrate all things Fall with one of Minnesota’s largest corn mazes, hayrides, food trucks, circus performers, and a pumpkin patch.
      • Time: 1pm-8pm; also Oct. 27th 10am-8pm, Oct. 28th 10am-6pm
      • Location: Canterbury Park, Shakopee
      • Admission: $15
      • For more information: https://seversfallfestival.com

    Saturday, October 27th:

    • Lake Monster Bash: Halloween Music Fest: Lake Monster Brewing Company, The Current, and GetKnit Events have joined forces to second year to create a one-day outdoor music festival to help you celebrate Halloween with a spooktacular line up of live music, delicious craft beer, food trucks, and more! This festival will take place at Lake Monster’s outdoor plaza with doors opening at NOON and live music starting at 1 PM. This event boasts an amazing music line-up: Field Report, Dead Horses, The Pines, SOLID GOLD, and Al Church. In addition to an amazing line-up of artists, Lake Monster will be offering up some hauntingly diverse flagships and specialty brews to enjoy.
    • Howl-ween and Haunted Brewery: Join us to start off the spookiest week of the year. The day will include a pet costume contest, haunted brewery and, as always, bone-chillingly good beer. Dress up in a matching costume with your dog and you could win the new Indoor Brewery pass from Sidewalk Dog Media! Also check out the mobile escape room and the haunted brewery.
      • Time: 2pm-12am
      • Location: 56 Brewing, Northeast Minneapolis
      • Admission: Free
      • For more information: Facebook Event Page
    • Halloween at the Haus: Round up your crew and head to the Haus to celebrate Halloween! Freaky festivities will include: DJ-spun tunes from DJ Shane Kramer starting at 8pm, free beers for the best costumes, a special beer concoction or two, and if history chooses to repeat itself, a massive Haus dance party.
      • Time: 8pm-12am
      • Location: Bauhaus Brew Labs, Northeast Minneapolis
      • Admission: Free
      • For more information: Facebook Event Page
  • Twin Cities Events Calendar — October 19th-25th

    Twin Cities Events Calendar — October 19th-25th

    Welcome to the Twin Cities Events Calendar, where we will feature festivals, block parties, exhibitions and other events each week that are similar to the Minnesota State Fair, for those who want to enjoy the rest of what the Twin Cities have to offer year-round! This weekly calendar will be posted each Thursday, covering the following seven days. Know of an event coming up in future weeks, or know of an event we missed on the current calendar? Email us at fairlyunbalancedmn@gmail.com

    Friday, October 19th:

    • Sever’s Fall Festival: Celebrate all things Fall with one of Minnesota’s largest corn mazes, hayrides, food trucks, circus performers, and a pumpkin patch.
      • Time: 1pm-8pm; also Oct. 20th 10am-8pm, Oct. 21th 10am-6pm, each Fri-Sun through Oct. 28th
      • Location: Canterbury Park, Shakopee
      • Admission: $15
      • For more information: https://seversfallfestival.com

    Saturday, October 20th:

    • La Doña Cervecería Grand Opening: Our taproom space is open and we’re ready to celebrate! Cerveza, infusións, pupusas y dulces, fútbol y musica en vivo, arte y mas!
      • Time: 9am-1am
      • Location: La Doña Cervecería, North Minneapolis
      • Admission: Free
      • For more information: Facebook event page
    • Nordeast Big River Brew Fest: Come sample beer, snack on great food, listen to live music, drink from a free tasting mug, and be part of the craft brew community at this East Side event. Beers from dozens of area breweries. All proceeds benefit the programs of East Side Neighborhood Services.
      • Time: 1pm-4pm
      • Location: East Side Neighborhood Services, Northeast Minneapolis
      • Admission: $30
      • For more information: Facebook event page
  • Twin Cities Events Calendar — October 12th-18th

    Twin Cities Events Calendar — October 12th-18th

    Welcome to the Twin Cities Events Calendar, where we will feature festivals, block parties, exhibitions and other events each week that are similar to the Minnesota State Fair, for those who want to enjoy the rest of what the Twin Cities have to offer year-round! This weekly calendar will be posted each Thursday, covering the following seven days. Know of an event coming up in future weeks, or know of an event we missed on the current calendar? Email us at fairlyunbalancedmn@gmail.com

    Friday, October 12th:

    • Gasthof’s Oktoberfest Festival: Gasthof’s hosts one of the Twin Cities biggest Oktoberfest celebrations, with live music, food, games and of course, beer!
    • Pancakes and Booze Art Show: As the nation’s premier pop-up art show, The Pancakes & Booze Art Show provides art lovers an opportunity to explore more than 350 pieces of artwork created by some 70+ artists local to Minneapolis’ unparalleled art scene. Alongside an immensely wide variety of pop art, fine art, and photography; show goers can sip on some of the dankest craft beer or signature cocktails while consuming free pancakes over and over again. Come Experience one of Minneapolis’ largest pop-up art event including 70+ of Local Emerging Artists, Live Body Painting, Live Art and a Free Pancake Bar.
      • Time: 8pm
      • Location: The Cabooze, South Minneapolis
      • Admission: $10
      • For more information: Event Facebook Page
    • Sever’s Fall Festival: Celebrate all things Fall with one of Minnesota’s largest corn mazes, hayrides, food trucks, circus performers, and a pumpkin patch.
      • Time: 1pm-8pm; also Oct. 13th 10am-8pm, Oct. 14th 10am-6pm, each Fri-Sun through Oct. 28th
      • Location: Canterbury Park, Shakopee
      • Admission: $15
      • For more information: https://seversfallfestival.com
    • St. Paul Art Crawl: Artist studios will open up to visitors at sites throughout St. Paul to display their artwork. There are more than 300 participating artists that will host over 20,000 visitors throughout the weekend.

    Saturday, October 13th:

    • CalaverasFest Twin Cities Latinx Music Festival: Join us for a night of live music and art by local Latinx artists in celebration of Dia de los Muertos! The festival is being held at the brand new La Doña Cerveceria brewery (scheduled for its grand opening celebration next weekend). Vendors will also have arts and crafts on sale.
      • Time: 5:30pm-12:45am
      • Location: La Doña Cerveceria, North Minneapolis
      • Admission: $10
      • For more information: Event Facebook Page
    • SurlyFest: The party starts at 10 am in the Beer Hall and Beer Garden. Games, steins, music from Jake Rudh and Transmission, and German-inspired fare from the Beer Hall and Surly Pizza Upstairs. Entry is free, all ages, and open to the public!At 2 pm, the doors to Festival Field will open, with an array of music, food trucks, games, inflatables, steins, a frankly ridiculous amount of beer, and all of it headlined by The Hold Steady.
    • Twin Cities Book Festival: Located in the Progress Center at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, this is the largest, most adventurous literary event in the Upper Midwest; it is THE annual get together for devoted book lovers from the Twin Cities and beyond! The single-day event will feature hundreds of exhibitors, dozens of presenting authors from near and far, special children’s programming and endless curiosities for all ages, all in a massive celebration of our vibrant Minnesota literary culture.
    • Zombie Pub Crawl: Certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the “World’s Largest Gathering of Zombies,” the ZPC gathers thousands upon thousands of undead souls for a night of pub crawling, dancing, world-class live entertainment, and all sorts of other fiendish fun. Plus, Live Pro Wrestling from F1RST Wrestling, the return of the World Brain-Eating Championship, the ZPC costume contest carnival rides and games, and the largest horde of zombies the world has ever seen. Join the horde!

    Sunday, October 14th:

    • Highland Water Tower Open House: Visitors are invited to climb the 151-step staircase inside the tower to the observation deck. The deck offers stunning views of the Highland area, the Twin Cities, and the Mississippi River, providing an excellent opportunity for photographs and a fun family outing.

    Monday, October 15th:

    • Taps and Tails at 56 Brewing: In addition to delicious beers from 56 Brewing, enjoy our Puppy Pen! With a small donation to MN SNAP, shake off the stress of your workday and climb into a pen full of adorable and affectionate doggies. You’ll also have the opportunity to play larger-than-life Beer Pong on 56 Brewing’s patio, complete with basketballs and industrial-sized barrels. Players and puppy cuddlers will be entered in a raffle drawing to win a growler with each ticket purchased.
      • Time: 6pm-9pm
      • Location: 56 Brewing, Northeast Minneapolis
      • Admission: Free
      • For more information: Event Facebook Page
  • Twin Cities Events Calendar — October 5th-11th

    Twin Cities Events Calendar — October 5th-11th

    Welcome to the Twin Cities Events Calendar, where we will feature festivals, block parties, exhibitions and other events each week that are similar to the Minnesota State Fair, for those who want to enjoy the rest of what the Twin Cities have to offer year-round! This weekly calendar will be posted each Thursday, covering the following seven days. Know of an event coming up in future weeks, or know of an event we missed on the current calendar? Email us at fairlyunbalancedmn@gmail.com

    Friday, October 5th:

    • Gasthof’s Oktoberfest Festival: Gasthof’s hosts one of the Twin Cities biggest Oktoberfest celebrations, with live music, food, games and of course, beer!
      • Time: 5pm-11pm; also Oct. 6th 5pm-11pm, each Fri-Sat through Oct. 13th
      • Location: Gasthof zur Gemutlichkeit, Northeast Minneapolis
      • Admission: Free
      • For more information: http://www.gasthofzg.com/oktoberfest.html
    • Oktoberfest at Black Forest Inn: Ten days, ten themes featuring prizes, games, contests, the ceremonial keg tapping, live music, wedding celebrations, brats, beer from local brewers, and more. Prost!
    • Sever’s Fall Festival: Celebrate all things Fall with one of Minnesota’s largest corn mazes, hayrides, food trucks, circus performers, and a pumpkin patch.
      • Time: 1pm-8pm; also Oct. 6th 10am-8pm, Oct. 7th 10am-6pm, each Fri-Sun through Oct. 28th
      • Location: Canterbury Park, Shakopee
      • Admission: $15
      • For more information: https://seversfallfestival.com

    Saturday, October 6th:

    • HocktoberFest: HocktoberFest on West 7th will feature live music, food, drinks and activities for hockey fans of all ages. Fans can watch the Wild game on two Jumbotrons located at each end of the street party. Interactive Hockey Zone presented by Snipers Edge with the hockey skills obstacle course, sauce toss, target shooting and hockey themed vendors. Also includes face painting and photos with Nordy, Giant Checkers, Giant Jenga, Giant Connect Four and Bag Toss and other interactive games. Enjoy German Beer Hall games, music and traditions, and test your skills on a Wild mechanical bull.
    • Hullabaloo: Hullabaloo is back for another kick-off to all your favorite fall festivities! Join us October 6th and 7th for special beer releases, live music, delicious grub, and good autumn vibes. Pull out your beanies and flannels from the back of the closet and get ready for a Hullabaloo-ing good time!
      • Time: 12pm-11pm; also Oct. 7th 12pm-8pm
      • Location: Indeed Brewing Company, Northeast Minneapolis
      • Admission: Free; $1 wristband to drink
      • For more information: Facebook Event Page
    • Rivertown Fall Art Festival: The Rivertown Fall Art Festival has become one of the most popular and well attended Art Festivals in the Midwest, attracting more than 10,000 people. Located in beautiful historic downtown Stillwater along the scenic St. Croix River, this popular event features over 150 artisans showcasing specialty hand-crafted items. This juried show includes artist mediums of all kinds including paper, painting, pottery, metal, wood and jewelry. In addition to over 150 Artists, the Rivertown Fall Art Festival will feature live music overlooking the beautiful St. Croix River, a beer & wine tent and a variety of food selections.