Minnesota Public Radio, which started reporting from the Minnesota State Fair as far back as 1972, began a yearly tradition of live broadcasting from its booth at the corner of Judson and Nelson in 1991 (taking over the old WLOL-FM spot). The location has since become an important community spot for sharing ideas, intercultural representation, and topics unique to the Fair itself. MPR was the first media organization to have an entire day dedicated to them in the form of MPR Day, held the Friday before Labor Day in Dan Patch Park (formerly known as Carousel Park). The MPR booth has featured Gubernatorial debates, appearances by senators and important public figures, and live performances by a wide range of local musicians and writers. MPR hosts Gary Eichten, Cathy Wurzer, Kerri Miller, Bob Potter, Beth Friend, and numerous others, have filled the air over the past three decades with live Fair broadcasts that both informed and entertained. There was also the longtime broadcast of the Morning Show hosted by Jim Ed Poole and Dale Connelly, bringing their distinctive humor to the street intersection.
The Minnesota State Fair’s permanent 320-acre home along Snelling Avenue in St. Paul contains historical buildings which host a slew of exhibitors, plants, animals, arts, and plenty of jam. Big outdoor attractions include a multitude of food, Midway carnival rides, livestock (with smells), and daily shows and grandstand performances. It’s a busy, busy 12 days that MPR Archive has attempted to capture in this audio collection as varied as food on a stick. A report on Little Irvy, the freeze-dried whale…check! Andean folk band…indeed! Differences of the Pronto pup and the Poncho Dog…got it! Former U.S. Senator Rudy Boschwitz pitching his milk…yep! Here is your audio ticket to those stories…and so much more.
September 1, 2004 - Michael Khoo reports on a State Fair debate between state legislative leaders. DFL Matt Entenza and Republican Steve Sviggum shared their diverging views in an effort to influence the make-up of the state House next year.
September 4, 2004 - MPR’s Greta Cunnnigham talks about "politicking on a stick" with Minnesota Public Radio's political reporter Michael Khoo, who has been at the Minnesota State Fair each and every time a big name politician has made a visit to the 2004 event.
August 25, 2005 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann talks with MPR’s Nikki Tundel and debate over what is the better State Fair…Minnesota or Iowa. Their conversation ends with a challenge.
August 31, 2005 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on despite the fact that it is not a statewide election year in Minnesota, that hasn't stopped state officials from making their usual visits to Great Minnesota Get-Together. Politicians say the State Fair is the place to take the pulse of Minnesotans. For 2005, they're finding that the burning issues for fairgoers are gas prices and stadiums.
September 5, 2005 - MPR’s Tom Crann and Nikki Tundel conclude their ‘battle’ over which state has the best fair - Minnesota or Iowa. The two present competing fair stories…pet surgery and Iowa animals.
August 24, 2006 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on four DFLers running in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District who debated at the Minnesota State Fair over health care, the war in Iraq, and public safety issues.
August 25, 2006 - Between visits to the spin art booth and cookie stand, Minneapolis poet Leslie Ball sat down, took a look around, and wrote this.
August 28, 2006 - It was a bit rainy this morning at the Minnesota State Fair, so Minneapolis poet Leslie Ball headed inside, where she got a demonstration of a trade from the past; that of woodworking.
August 29, 2006 - Minneapolis Leslie Bell visits the Miracle of Birth Center where you can see all sorts of farm animals giving birth…including sheep.
August 30, 2006 - One of the oldest traditions at the Minnesota State Fair is experiencing Ye Old Mill, which is celebrating its ninety-third year at the fair in 2006. Minneapolis poet Leslie Ball took a ride, and sent us this.