9 Things You Shouldn’t Do At The Minnesota State Fair

If you're going to the Minnesota State Fair which runs August 22 through September 2, there are some things you should avoid doing in order to have the best overall experience and get the most bang for your buck. Here are 9 things you should avoid doing this year at the Great Minnesota Get Together.

1. Don't follow tradition. Listen, I totally get wanting to buy the Pronto Pup because it's what you've done every year since you've been old enough to go to the fair...but, you never experience anything NEW when you stick to the same old thing.

2. Don't be stingy. Fair food is pretty much the greatest thing on Earth...it's just a shame that it costs so much and my stomach is only so big. The best thing to do is bring a group of people with you and share all of the food. That way, you get to try more things!

3. Don't attend the fair on a weekday. They don't call it the Great Minnesota Get Together for nothing...it's a busy place--and even busier on weekends. The best time to go is on a weekday when everyone else is working.

4. Don't go on a super hot and sunny day. Don't get me wrong...I LOVE summer in Minnesota. But, when it's 90+ degrees in the shade and you're trying to sample as many foods as possible...the things don't pair well in your stomach.

5. Don't wear sandals. The fair is full of fun AND filth. Think about it...agriculture, food and even some vomit, yes vomit might be lurking on the ground. You absolutely don't want this grossness touching your bare skin.

6. Don't wait until the last minute to use the bathroom. The line always seems super long to use the restroom...like, ridiculously long. If you absolutely wait until you NEED TO GO NOW, then you might be SOL. I always try to go if we pass by a bathroom and there's a short line.

7. Don't park far away. Listen, I get trying to be thrifty and save a couple bucks--you're preaching to the choir there. But, if you're parked many many blocks away from the fair, there's zero point zero percent chance you'll have any energy left at the end of the day to make the trip back to the car. Pay for close parking, you'll thank yourself later.

8. Don't buy the coupon book. I made that mistake last year of thinking I'd actually use the coupons. However, most of the things in the book that I wanted to buy were scattered far apart on opposite sides of the fair. So, after walking and trying to track down these places, I eventually gave up and bought food that was in close proximity to me at full fair value. Plus, I was out the money for the coupon book.

9. Don't play midway games right away. If you're serious about your game play and you know you've got what it takes to win prizes, save your game play for last. There's nothing worse than carrying a giant stuffed bright blue Smurf across the entire fairground all day. Plus, if you're super good, sometimes they cut you off from being eligible to win more stuff. Save the games for last.