It’s a bit of a grab bag of travel news for this post.
State Fair Food
It won’t be too long before it’s time for the Minnesota State Fair—August 21 through September 1 to be exact. As much as I don’t want to look forward to an end-of-summer event, I always start to plan when I hear about the concert schedule and other details that usually arrive this time of year. (Bustle.com even named Minnesota’s state fair the best in the entire country.) A big part of going to the fair is, of course, the fun food. It’s no time for a diet during the fair, but you are sure to walk the extra calories off during a busy day of activities. The fair just released a list of new food you will be able to find this year. A few interesting highlights:
* Hot Toasted Waffle Ice Cream Sandwich; West End Creamery in the West End Market
* North Shore Pasta—Walleye Mac & Cheese; Giggles Campfire Grill on Cooper Street and Lee Avenue
* PB&J French Toast; Robbinsdale OES Dining Hall on Underwood Street next to FAN Central
* Bacon-Wrapped Turkey Leg; Texas Steak Out located on Underwood Street north of Randall Avenue.
Find the complete list at mnstatefair.org
Star Trek The Exhibition
For more than 40 years Star Trek has been a part of popular culture. Fans of the famous science fiction television series and films will not want to miss the exhibit that is currently on display at Mall of America. Star Trek The Exhibition features hands-on, up-close displays that tell the stories and share the science, the wisdom, the characters and the cultures of Star Trek. It is one of the largest displays of Star Trek artifacts ever assembled, featuring props, costumes, sets, and priceless artifacts from numerous television episodes and films. Fans will even be able to tour the bridge and take a seat in the captain’s chair. If you are going to boldly go (couldn’t resist), the exhibit is located in the EMS Exhibit Center in the southeast corner of Level 3. Tickets are $17 for adults, $10 for children ages 5 to 12, and $13 for seniors. Fourth of July hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Visit Lake Wobegon
This year, A Prairie Home Companion celebrates 40 years on the air, with a weekend full of activities at Macalaster College in St. Paul. Other cities and towns across Minnesota will also celebrate the anniversary with their own activities, include Ely, which will become “Lake Wobegon” from July 4-6, in honor of Garrison Keillor’s fictional Minnesota town. On Sunday, July 6, Ely will formally declare it “Lake Wobegon Day” while Governor Mark Dayton will declare the same day “A Prairie Home Companion Day” in Minnesota.
“As Minnesotans, we all feel like we know Lake Wobegon; in some ways it’s reminiscent of Ely with its small town charm and its tongue-in-cheek sense of humor,” said Linda Fryer, Ely’s tourism coordinator, in a press release. “We can really see ourselves in the stories Garrison has told over the years through A Prairie Home Companion. We couldn’t think of a more Minnesotan way to celebrate the arrival of summer and Independence Day than to commemorate this piece of Minnesota culture and history. And of course, Ely has its own Fourth of July festivities cooked up as well for those looking for an authentic small town holiday experience.”
Have a wonderful and safe Independence Day holiday!
