BIPOC business owners at the Minnesota State Fair

The Minnesota State Fair is a great opportunity for fairgoers to explore new foods. It’s also a way for small business owners—including BIPOC business owners—to showcase their existing business or kickstart a new business. Here are some examples from this year’s Great Minnesota Get-Together!

• New this year
• One new booth that arrived at the 2025 State Fair was from Lumpia City. Lumpia, Filipino fried spring rolls, come in both sweet and savory varieties. The sweet variety, a banana French toast lumpia, created a lot of buzz amongst fairgoers.
• Another new vendor in 2025 was Midtown Global Market’s Oasis Grill & Hoyo Sambusa. Offerings included street fries, sambusas (both mini and full-size), and slushies. The Midtown Global Market is a great way to check out more food, events, and global goods all year round!
• An old favorite
• Union Hmong Kitchen is an old favorite of the DEI committee. Their offerings this year included Galabao with Kua Txob, Shrimp & Pork Toast On-A-Stick, as well as a coconut lychee cocktail.

Update from Stacey

It is definitely the season of new beginnings. The semester will be kicking off shortly with many welcome week traditions, such as Pride & Spirit and Convocation. Many of you are supporting the start of the semester, and I know it can be a busy time (for example, check out the OCM updates below). I am feeling the uptick as well, but I am still trying to grab the last bits of summer. 

We snuck in a quick trip with our family this weekend, and next we're figuring out when we will go to the State Fair. In my experience, people have strong opinions about the fair, and personally, I’m a big fan. I drag my family through the animal barns, we look at the fish in the DNR building—even though the kids have outgrown this—we watch the parade, and we eat our every-year favorites and try at least a few new items. I hope you are finding some summer enjoyment and feeling as ready as you can for the start of fall. Thank you for everything you do!

ASR Staff Engagement August 21 Survey

This week’s ASR Engagement Survey asks about your seasonal preferences. Thank you for continuing to share your stories and experiences.

Last week’s survey asked about your state fair plans and favorites. There was an even split between those who are going to the state fair and those who are not (40.7% each). When asked about their favorite state fair foods, pronto pups received the most votes (23.1%), followed by cheese curds (19.2%), and Australian battered potatoes (7.7%).

Finally, we asked if you have a favorite show, concert, or event that you’ve attended at the state fair. Many folks mentioned live music, including Boyz II Men, Weird Al, and The Chicks. Other events such as tractor pulls and horse shows were also mentioned. Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.

August 7 survey results

Are you planning to go to the state fair this year?

• Yes (40.7%)
• No (40.7%)
• I’m not sure (18.5%)

What is one of your favorite state fair (or any fair) foods?

• Pronto pup (23.1%)
• Cheese curds (19.2%)
• Australian battered potatoes (7.7%)
• Sweet Martha’s Cookies (3.8%)
• Cheese on a stick (3.8%)
• Fried pickles (3.8%)
• Pickle dog (3.8%)

Do you have a favorite show, concert, or event that you've attended at the state fair (or any fair)? If so, what was it?

• Los Lobos at the bandshell!!!
• Sonny Landreth and Buddy Guy @ Leinie Lodge Bandshell
• Boyz II Men and Chaka Khan
• Demo derbys!
• The Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum horse shows
• Vanilla Ice, Belinda Carlisle, and Depeche Mode :)

Update from Stacey

August is a busy month, and each year I wonder if it is busier than the last. It’s the time of final summer vacations, getting ready for the start of term, parents preparing to send their children to school, and let’s not forget the Minnesota State Fair. I’m looking forward to the Blue Barn and volunteering with the University Extension Master Gardener booth.

This fall, our students will experience new things, including the Course Works program from the bookstore—a huge thank you to the ASR staff who have supported this effort and will answer students’ questions. We have launched new financial aid programs this year. I want to give another huge shout out to the staff who have gotten us through FAFSA simplification and implemented the Northstar Promise program, among many other things. Our classrooms are being prepared for the fall as well. Check out the Office of Classroom Management’s unit updates below and their initiatives and projects page to learn more. It takes a lot of different types of work to be ready for the fall, and I thank you for your many, many roles in making it happen!

ASR Staff Engagement August 22 Survey

With less than two weeks until the start of the term, this week’s ASR Engagement Survey asks how staff are doing as we head into the fall semester. Thank you for continuing to share your stories and experiences.

According to the last survey, most are planning to attend the State Fair this year (54.5%). When asked about your preferred time and day to attend the State Fair, most say on a weekday morning (54.5%) followed by a weekday afternoon/evening (30.3%).

Finally, we asked about your favorite foods or drinks at the State Fair. A wide array of food was submitted, but cheese curds and deep-fried pickles were mentioned the most! Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated. The results from the last survey are available below.

August 8 survey results

Are you going to the State Fair this year?

• Yes (54.5%)
• No (21.2%)
• I’m not sure (24.2%)

In your opinion, when is the best time to go to the State Fair?

• Weekday morning (54.5%)
• Weekday afternoon/evening (30.3%)
• Never! (15.2%)

If you have attended the State Fair before, what was one of your favorite State Fair foods or drinks?

• Deep fried olives, french fries, and chocolate malt from the Moo Booth outside the cattle barn
• Deep fried pickles and a michelada!
• Fried green tomatoes and fresh cut french fries
• Nitro Ice Cream
• Martha's Cookie bucket and unlimited milk
• Chocolate covered bacon (Big Fat Bacon)
• Apple cider freeze pop from the Ag building, and a milkshake from the UMN Gopher Dairy Bar at the Cattle Barn
• Crepes from the French Creperie stand the test of time.