The Minnesota State Fair is upon us, and with it the perennial question: what’s the best way to stay cool at the fair? There are lots of effective ways to stay cool, such as staying hydrated or getting out of the sun. But if you’re at the State Fair, you know the most fun you can have is eating and drinking all the interesting stuff the various food vendors have to offer. That’s why we have compiled this list of twelve foods to keep you cool on a hot day at the fair. 

#1 All-you-can-drink milk 

When Ron Burgundy said “Milk was a bad choice,” he was incorrect. He was so incorrect, in fact, that he should change his name to Wrong Burgundy. The all-you-can-drink milk is ice cold and goes great with a certain bucket of cookies also available at the fair. 

Location: Corner of Judson and Clough

#2 Apple Cider Freeze

Sure, apple cider is traditionally considered a “fall drink.” But think about it like this: the Minnesota State Fair ends on Labor Day Weekend. Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer, aka the actual start of fall. This makes an apple cider freeze the perfect drink for the in-between time of the State Fair. 

Location: Minnesota Apples booth in the Horticulture Building 

#3 Beer! 

They say in heaven there is no beer, that’s why we drink it at the Minnesota State Fair. Another reason to drink it at the fair is to stay cool. And the beer vendors at the fair are ready to help you stay sudsy, with taps galore—on nearly every food counter across the fair, you’ll find at least a couple tap handles. Be sure to check out the Craft Brewers Guild for a selection of the most interesting beers you never knew you needed. 

Location: Horticulture Building

#4 Fruit N Booch 

If beer isn’t your thing (or even if it is!) but you still want something fizzy and cold, head over to the Produce Exchange for a Fruit N Booch. This cool treat is pretty straightforward but unlike anything else at the fair: it’s a cup of kombucha loaded with fruit spears. You pick the kombucha flavor, you pick the fruit spears, you get cooled down by total deliciousness. 

Location: Produce Exchange  

#5 Malt cups 

If you’d like a side of charity with your cooling snack, head over to the Kiwanis building. These chocolate treats have been served at the fair for over 50 years and 100% of each sale goes to funding service projects for kids. 

Location: Kiwanis Building 

#6 New! Birthday cake paleta

Chances are your birthday isn’t during the State Fair. And that’s ok! These frozen cake pops are for everyone. If you do head to the fair to celebrate your birthday, you may want to bring your own candle. 

Location: Hamline Church Dining Hall

#7 New! Cotton candy float  (new in 2022!)

Ok, yes, this is a lot of sugar. But it’s a lot of cold sugar. And what is the Minnesota State Fair for if not for making questionable dietary choices? This sugar bomb has cotton candy flavored pop (never “soda,” this is Minnesota), a scoop of ice cream, and is topped with cotton candy. We acknowledge that it would have been better if they had skipped the ice cream and just shoved as much cotton candy as possible into a cup and then poured the pop over that. Maybe next year. 

Location: German Root Beer and Popcorn stand, East of Chambers St. south of the Grandstand

#8 New! Deep fried ice cream  

Do you want the thrill of hot and cold at the same time? If you answered “yes,” then deep fried ice cream is for you. A bit of ice cream on a stick (of course) is covered in corn flakes, deep fried, and then drizzled with various fruit sauces and sprinkles. It’s hot! It’s cold! It’s on a stick! 

Location: Snack House, inside the Warner Coliseum

#9 New! Dej kab zib 

Add some tropical flair to your day with this coconut and lychee drink. It’s got everything you want in a cold drink on a hot day: coconut milk, lychee syrup, mint, lime, and, most importantly, ice. This drink is so cold it may keep you cool until winter. 

Location: Union Hmong Kitchen, in the International Bazaar 

#10 New! Gray duck sundae 

If you want a bit of underdog defiance in your cold treat, this is the sundae for you. The base of this sundae is black licorice ice cream, which is a flavor as controversial as Duck, Duck, Gray Duck is to anyone outside Minnesota. As a bonus, you’ll get marshmallow cream and whipped cream, along with additional crunchy marshmallows and a cherry. No geese allowed. 

Location: Bridgeman’s Ice Cream, Northeast corner of Judson Ave. & Liggett St.

#11 New! Kulfi 

Yes! It’s ice cream on a stick! These Indian ice cream treats come in three flavors: almond/cashew/pistachio, saffron/almond/pistachio, and mango. They are also coated in fun toppings and, being on a stick, are ideal for cooling you off until you reach the next food stall. 

Location: Food Building #13 

#12 New! Turmeric ginger lemon surprise 

The worst part of lemonade is that you already know what’s in it. Where’s the thrill? Where’s the suspense? Well, this year the good people of the Minnesota State Fair have solved that problem with the turmeric ginger lemon surprise. Yes, three of the four words in its name are literally a list of ingredients, but then… surprise! What’s the surprise? Go find out for yourself. 

Location: West Indies Soul Food, International Bazaar 

Stay cool at the State Fair, stay cool at home

When you get back from a long day at the fair, the last thing you want to see is a broken air conditioner. Contact us today to schedule an AC maintenance appointment.