Minnesota State Fair returns: The ultimate guide to must-try food, drinks, and attractions

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) — The 2026 Minnesota State Fair has officially arrived. Whether you are a first-time attendee or an annual fairgoer, there are always new foods, drinks, and attractions you will not want to miss.

To help you navigate the Great Minnesota Get-Together, KEYC has compiled the ultimate guide to this year’s festivities.

Must-Try Fair Foods

Here are the new and classic bites you need to add to your bucket list:

• Cracklin’ Corn Ribs
  • The Blue Barn
• Bao Belly
  • RC’s BBQ
• Steak Bites
  • Pickle Barrel Sirloin Tips
• Pickle Pie
  • Lulu’s Public House
• Moo-Sota Apple Pie Sundae
  • Dairy Goodness
• Loaded Steak Sandwich
  • Butcher Boys
• The Amish Donut
  • Peacheys Baking Company
• Pickle Pizza
  • Ricks Pizza
• When Pigs Fly
  • Sausage Sister & Me
• Fried Pickles
  • The Perfect Pickle
• Minnesota’s Original Apple Fries
  • Minnesota’s Original Apple Fries
• Savory Cones
  • Roon’s Savories
• Strawberry Crunch Mini Donuts
  • Solem’s Mini Donuts
• Sweet Martha’s Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Sweet Martha’s Cookie Jar

Refreshing Drinks

Beat the late-summer heat with these essential fair sips:

• Sweet Peach Lemonade Sparkler
  • Quench’d: Lemonade/Bottle Water
• Watermelon Mule (Contains Alcohol)
  • Andy’s Grille
• Blueberry Basil Lemonade
  • The Blue Barn
• Caramel Apple Seltzer (Contains Alcohol)
  • Andy’s Grille
• d’marie’s wine slushie (Contains Alcohol)
  • d’marie
• Frozen Espresso Martini (Contains Alcohol)
  • The Blue Barn
• Caramel Apple Iced Tea
  • Look Lake Iced Tea
• Mango Sticky Rice Refresher
  • Chan’s Eatery

Can’t-Miss Attractions

When you need a break from eating, make sure to check out these sights and experiences:

• Butterfly House
• Giant Slide
• SkyGlider
• Ye Old Mill
• Mighty Midway
• SkyRide
• America Wheel honoring America250
• Ultimate Dinosaurs

Look for Local

Vendors featured from places in and around Southern Minnesota:

• Faxon Farms Pure Maple Syrup
• Schweiss Doors
• Project Turnabout
• Bratwurst
• Minnesota Distillers Guild
• Sweets & Treats
• The Big Cheese Cheese Curds
• MakeShift Accessories
• Minnesota’s Original Apple Fries – NEW vendor
• Loon Lake Iced Tea
• Ole and Lena’s
• Faithful Contracting Christopher Smith

This list only scratches the surface of what the Great Minnesota Get-Together has to offer. For ticket information, daily schedules, and a complete directory of vendors, including even more foods, drinks, and attractions visit www.mnstatefair.org/.

Click here to download the KEYC News Now app or our KEYC First Alert weather app.