Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz Talks Smack About Iowa State Fair
The Minnesota State Fair just wrapped up its 2022 run but before the Great Minnesota Get-Together got started this year, the Governor talked some serious smack about a neighboring state fair.
Ah, that 'ol competitive spirit sure is alive here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes here in 2022. Maybe it's because 2022 is an election year. And while there is no shortage of things that Minnesotans are divided about, one thing we all tend to agree on is how great our own state fair is, right?
I mean who doesn't love the fact that the Minnesota State Fair is routinely one of the largest state fairs in the country, according to attendance? Heck, before the pandemic in 2019, over 2.1 million of us jammed into the fairgrounds up in Falcon Heights and set a new record. And, back in 2019 as well, The Insider ranked the Minnesota State Fair as the Best State Fair in the U.S.
But it was back on August 25th, 2022 -- before this year's state fair even started -- that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz made a few headlines down in the Hawkeye State when he made a crack about the Iowa State Fair, which had just ended. Axios Des Moines reporter Jason Clayworth noted on his Twitter page that Gov. Walz, when talking about both state fairs, said:
"I always appreciate Iowa kind of doing a little warm up, like the minor league state fair so Minnesota can bring in the major leagues," Clayworth noted Walz said, according to the Des Moines Register.
Wow! Shots fired, Gov. Walz! So, of course, the Iowa State Fair responded to the jab on its own Twitter account:
Meanwhile, the Des Moines Register story also noted that Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar also made a dig at a state fair-- this time cracking a joke about how the Indiana State Fair's butter sculptures aren't as good as the Minnesota State Fair's noted sculptures. (Which she apparently said in jest when U.S. Transportation Secretary -- and Indiana native -- Pete Buttigieg visited the Minnesota State Fair last month.)
The Iowa State Fair, though, took the high road, and finished the debate by noting on their Twitter page: 'Jokes aside, we love our friends at the Minnesota State Fair.' And while both state fairs are filled with tons of great food, Minnesota IS known for being the home of some unique eats. In fact, keep scrolling to check out eight legendary food brands that hail from right here in the Gopher State!
Listen to Curt St. John in the Morning
Weekdays from 6 to 10 on Quick Country 96.5