The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

The first few times I attended the Minnesota State Fair as a kid I found it disappointing. It seemed a little run-down, old-fashioned, and the rides were more rickety (and scary) than all the shiny new stuff at Valleyfair. Plus, I have never liked crowds. Somehow, though, that changed when I became a teenager. Maybe it was just more fun to go with friends than family, but I think the real key was a major discovery: ironic enjoyment.

At the Minnesota State Fair, the food gets all the hype. Cram something edible onto a stick and it will get front page coverage. That's good and all, but the main attraction to the fair is the people themselves. It's not just a cross section of America; it is everything from the sewer to the penthouse. Take a seat anywhere at the fair - a curb, a bench, a stool in a beer garden - and watch a parade of whores, hags, fatties, skinnies, greasers, wankers, wonks, red necks, and cake eaters. Here are a few scenes from my recent fair experience: