Perfect Duluth Day

State Fair: New excitement, musty history

It’s almost time for the Minnesota State FairIdaho Nachos, Deep Fried OlivesSynthetic Ice Rinks … all awesome! Duluthians look at me like I’m nuts when I say I secure a hotel room every year and spend 3-4 days at the fair every year. I used to spend 4-6 days, when I lived in St. Paul. I love the fried food, I love Lililan Colton’s crop art.

I’ve been digging around in historical newspapers lately for research. I found that the Congdons loved the fair. The Minneapolis Morning Tribune (Aug 5, 1917) tells the story:  Helen Congdon was an advocate in a women’s group that worked with the Minneapolis Institute of Art in organizing a competition for children.  

The Congdons loved the fair; why is it uncool for today’s Duluthians to love the fair? or do I just have the wrong friends?