Bike Highlights at the Minnesota State Fair

If you plan to go to this year’s “Great Minnesota Get Together” here are some of the highlights, interesting things for bicycle minded individuals, along with all the great food and entertainment that we found on a recent:

Plan to ride your bike to the fair? You will find three secure bike corral locations to park your bicycle while visiting the fair. See our recent article for more information on commuting by bike to the fair.

Looking for bicycle themed jewelry? In the West End Market we found a wide selection of unique ear rings, necklaces and pendants made by Velo Bling Designs, in their Bicycle Inspired booth.

Bicycle inspired jewelry at the MN State Fair.

Bicycle inspired jewelry at the MN State Fair.

Need a headband that can open up as a bonnet under your helmet to keep the sweat out of your eyes and the sun’s rays off the top of your head? In the Merchandise Market Building we discovered a vendor who is offing all types and styles of fun headbands.

A wide selection of headbands were offered here at the MN State Fair.

A wide selection of headbands were offered here at the MN State Fair.

In the Education Building we found the new Minnesota Bike Map, print version, is free of charge in the Minnesota Department of Transportation booth

Get your free Minnesota Bike and road maps here at MnDOT's booth at the MN Fair.

Get your free Minnesota Bike and road maps here at MnDOT’s booth at the MN Fair.

At the Minnesota State Fair Parade, running each day at 2 p.m. on Cosgrove St. you can enjoy watching some of the Twin Cities Unicyclists Club.  These single wheeled bicyclists will preforming tricks as they pedal and balance their bikes along the parade route. Where you will also many floats and marching bands.

Unicyclists a part of the daily parade doing tricks in between floats and marching bands at the MN Fair.

Unicyclists a part of the daily parade doing tricks in between floats and marching bands at the MN Fair.

As the parade ends near the Eco Progress Center check out the “Life on a bike simulator” inside. On Thursday, September 3rd. at 9 a.m. and again at 9 p.m. Mr. Michael Recycles Bicycles will have demonstrations in the Eco Building as part of ReUse MN. Also in the Eco Building check out how easy it is to take your bike with you when using a bus, at the Metro Transit Exhibit.

Metro Transit demonstrating alternate transportation options and how to put your bike on a bus.

Metro Transit demonstrating alternate transportation options and how to put your bike on a bus.

Up in the X-Zone, on Machinery Hill; watch some BMX’ers preform some high-rising stunts on the amazing exhibition course there.

BMX'ers demonstration many high adrenaline stunts at the MN Fair.

BMX’ers demonstration many high adrenaline stunts at the MN Fair.

A couple blocks south of the stunt riders, we found a bike shop promoting the growing sport of fat biking. Out of Little Canada, The House Outdoor Gear was there with a wide assortment of fat tire and road bikes. They are also offering some great deals on accessories to check out.

The House Outdoor Gear was at the MN Fair showcasing a wide assortment of fat tire and road bikes along with some great deals on accessories.

The House Outdoor Gear was at the MN Fair showcasing a wide assortment of fat tire and road bikes along with some great deals on accessories.

If you ride your bike in the colder months, here in the Upper Midwest, at one of the Grand Stand exhibits we found had Green Heat brand reusable heatpacks. They just, may be the ticket to keeping your hands and feet a bit warmer this winter. Offering several cold and heat packs, these handy reusable heat-packs can be slipped into a glove or boot. Once activated, the heat packs last for about 30 min. and then need to be rotated. However, after your outing you can place the used packets in boiling water and they rejuvenate and ready to be used again.

These are just a few of the bike highlight we found at this year’s fair. Along with all the unique food and fun entertainment we enjoyed did we miss something? Please let us know! We would like to add it to our preview article for next year. Send to editor@HaveFunBiking .com.

P.S. John Szurek writes:

Don’t forget to check out the 4-H building. Several youth from around the state are demonstrating their knowledge about bicycling through projects and posters with the Minnesota 4-H Bicycle Project.

Thanks and Have Fun!