To outsiders, the food at the fair might seem like the usual state fair offerings, with everything on a stick and deep-fried. In fact, Yelp recently rated the Minnesota State Fair as having the best food among all the state fairs in the nation, with certain picks seeming to be the consensus favorites. The 2026 edition of the Minnesota State Fair runs from August 27th to Labor Day. After the Minnesota State Fair, head south to Dallas to experience the State Fair of Texas, America's largest, drawing over 2 million visitors each year. Or, for a nostalgic touch, visit the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse, the country's oldest, held since 1841.