Every year, nearly two million people attend the Minnesota State Fair – and now it's been named the best state fair in the country, according to the 2025 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards.
The 12-day event typically attracts between 100,000 and 200,000 people a day, with fairgoers getting a taste of new – and sometimes outlandish – foods and drinks, listening to well-known musical acts and, for thrill-seekers, a wide variety of rides. This year, the fair starts Aug. 21 and ends Sept. 1.
USA TODAY 10BEST invites a panel of industry experts to nominate their favorite points of interest and attractions across various categories. Editors vet nominations and select the final nominees, which are then voted on by the public to determine the final list.
"It’s one of the nation’s biggest fairs, employing 80 full-time employees and about 2,000 people during fair time, and it has an enormous economic impact on the Twin Cities and surrounding areas," USA TODAY said in its rankings.
Related: Minnesota State Fair tips and tricks, new foods and additions this year
What are the country's best state fairs, according to USA TODAY readers?
Here are the best state fairs, according to USA TODAY's 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards.
Minnesota State Fair
Iowa State Fair
Wisconsin State Fair
State Fair of Texas
South Carolina State Fair
Indiana State Fair
Alaska State Fair
Florida State Fair
Washington State Fair
Ohio State Fair
Related: The Minnesota State Fair unveils 33 new foods for 2025
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This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Minnesota State Fair: USA TODAY readers say it's the country's best
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