Fair Factoids

     Here are some interesting facts about the Minnesota State Fair:

It is the second largest state fair in the country.  This year in 12 days nearly 1.8 million people passed through the gates.

The first fair was held in 1859, the first year after Minnesota achieved statehood.

Since 1889 the fair has been located on a 320 acre parcel of land in the Twin Cities.  It has 140 permanent structures and 8 miles of paved roads.

It was at the fair in 1901 that President Teddy Roosevelt delivered his famous "Speak softly and carry a big stick" address.

Each day over 2 dozen local radio and TV stations broadcast live on location from the fair.

     Now about the food:

There are 300 concession booths serving up 450 different kinds of food, including over 70 kinds of food on a stick.

145 tons of spuds are used to make french fries.

2.6 million cheese curds are sold.

25 acres of corn is harvested to be roasted and served.

Fair goers consume half a million corn dogs.

At the All You Can Drink Milk booth 25,000 gallons of white and chocolate milk are consumed.  It would take 1 cow 3-4 years to produce that total.

 

 

Over 4 million mini donuts are eaten.  That's around 338,000 dozen if you're counting.

And finally, to "end" the story...22,000 rolls of toilet paper are used during the 12 day event.