The Minnesota State Fair is an annual hub for Minnesota artists, artisans, farmers, chefs, and small business owners, and a joyful opportunity for makers to sell their products to a bustling Minnesota crowd and speak to the public about their projects. Here are a few makers you’ll find at the fair this year who are also part of our “Shop Minnesota” gift guide.
The Bee Shed
Who: The Bee Shed
From Where: Rochester
Where at the Fair: Horticulture Building, MN Honey Producers
What: Buckwheat Stout honey, Summer Solstice Honey, Hot Shed Honey
How long: 5th year at the fair
Favorite: The Grandstand
The Bee Shed is at the fair for the fifth year this year with the MN Honey Producers. Find them inside the Horticulture Building selling their specialty honey flavors. Don’t miss the single varietals, which celebrate the work the bees put in each season.
Cool Trash
Who: Emma Crutcher of Cool Trash
Where at the Fair: In the Eco Experience
When: Wednesday, September 2nd only.
Special Event: Giving a talk on the Sustainability Stage in the Eco Experience at 2pm on 9/2/26
From Where: Minneapolis
How long: 3rd year at the fair
Favorite: The Skyride
Emma Crutcher of Cool Trash is tabling one-day-only in the Eco Experience on Wednesday, September 2nd, where she’ll be giving a talk on the Sustainability Stage at 2pm all about the limitless possibility of plastics that she’s discovered as a part of the Precious Plastics Project.
Hazel Heart Farms
Who: Hazel Heart Farms
From where: Farms throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin
Where at the Fair: Agriculture Horticulture Building with the Forever Green Initiative’s booth: “The Future of Farming in Minnesota”
What: On display only: Hazelnut oil, hazelnut flour, roasted hazelnuts, HazelSnackers, Midwest Munch
Favorite: Ye Olde Mill and new fair foods
Hazel Heart Farms products will be on display with the Forever Green Initiative’s booth: “The Future of Farming in Minnesota.” Hazelnuts will be featured among many other new crops being developed by the University of Minnesota to improve soil and water quality in the state while diversifying our food system. Along with hazelnuts, learn about elderberries, Kernza, winter camelina, pennycress, along with other continuous living cover crops.
Chef Mimi Selam of Mimi’s Cooking
Who: Chef Mimi Selam of Mimi’s Cooking 
From Where: Minneapolis
Where at the Fair: The Eco Experience Building
Special Event: Chef Demonstration with Renewing the Countryside
When: Friday, September 4
Website and Social Media: www.mimiscookingclass.com,
Favorite stop: West End Market
Chef Mimi Selam will make her state fair debut in the Eco Experience Building on Friday, September 4th, where she’ll be putting on a cooking demonstration. Following the Renewing the Countryside exhibit theme of bird-friendly farming, Chef Mimi will share her technique for preparing Atakilt Alicha. This is a dish that chooses ingredients raised through bird-friendly practices, without toxic chemical sprays and with healthy crop cover.
Nashke Native Games
Who: Tony Drews and Mindy Meyers of Nashke Native Games
From Where: Ham Lake
Where at the Fair: Native Roots Trading Post in the West End Market.
Special Event: The Nashke Team will be at the Fair on August 30th — Indigenous Peoples Day – conducting game play at Dan Patch Park from 9am-5pm; Math on a Stick from 10-2pm; and at 1pm Founder Tony Drews will do an interview with MPR
What: At Native Roots Trading Post you can find: Emoji-stuffies for our youngest learners; Mii Gwech, Bineshiinyag, Bone and Pin game,
and more!
How long at the fair: Third year with Indigenous Peoples Day, and second year with Math on A Stick
Favorite: Cream Puff Stand and Pickles on a stick
Nashke Native Games merchandise is at the Native Roots Trading Post in the West End Market for all twelve days of the fair this year. Tony Drews and Mindy Meyers will be at the fair on August 30th for Indigenous Peoples Day. They will conduct game play in Dan Patch Park from 9am-5pm and with Math on a Stick from 10am-2pm. Tony will do an interview with MPR at 1pm.
Sebesta Apothecary
Who: Kim Sebesta of Sebesta Apothecary
From where: NE Minneapolis
Where at the Fair: Grandstand, 2nd Level
What: Magnesium Spray, Body Soap (Peppermint & Rosemary, Eucalyptus & Lemon, Patchouli, Lavender), Adventure Soap, Charcoal Face Wash, Shave Soap, Cotton Soap Bag, Cedar Soap Tray
How long: Second year at the fair since 2019
Favorite: International Bazaar
Sebesta Apothecary is selling their artisan bath and body care products on the 2nd level of the Grandstand this year at the fair as part of a collective of woman-owned artisanal businesses organized by Grandma Skills. Stop by their custom store to meet the artisans and learn the stories of how and why they produce what they do.
P&TY Granola Co.
Who: Brit Williams of P&TY Granola Co. 
From where: Plymouth
Where at the Fair: Eco Experience Building with Renewing the Countryside
Special Event: One day pop up – sampling
When: September 5th from 11am – 4pm
What: Granola bars and granola will be sampled for the day
How long: 4 years at the fair
Favorite: Corn on the Cob and the Big Slide
P&TY Granola and Co. is thrilled to be back at the State Fair, where they will be sampling their bars and granola on September 5th from 11am-4pm in The Eco Experience Building and soaking up all the joy, energy, and traditions that make the fair so special.
Gray Duck Candle Co.
Who: Dan Hammill of Gray Duck Candle Co.
From where: Maple Grove
Where at the Fair: West entrance of the Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum, next to the bathrooms
What: Odor Neutralizing Candles & Rubber Duckies
How long: First year at the fair
Favorite: DNR Building
Odor Neutralizing Candles and Rubber Duckies are the fun and practical products you’ll find at the Gray Duck Candle Co. booth near the West Entrance of the Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum, right near the bathrooms. (There’s an opportunity for a joke here. We’re going to refrain.)
Good Graces Paper Co.
Who: Melanie Walby of Good Graces Paper Co.
From where: Minneapolis
Where at the Fair: West End Market right across from the History & Heritage Center behind the Big Blue Barn.
Special Event: The State Fair is doing a giveaway of one of Melanie’s prints on their Instagram!
What: Coffee table books, small framed art prints, bookmarks, posters, and journals.
How long: 3 years at the fair
Favorite: Produce Exchange for the grilled peach with goat cheese and honey.
Take a moment away from the hustle and bustle of the fair by stopping into Good Graces Paper Co.’s booth in the West End Market, right across from the History & Heritage center, and follow the State Fair Instagram for a chance to win one of Melanie’s prints.
Saints & Sinners BBQ
Who: David Parker of Saints & Sinners BBQ
From Where: Little Canada
Where at the Fair: In the Beisswengers ACE hardware grilling area on machinery hill (across from the sky lift)
Special Events: Owner, Dave Parker will be in person on Sat Sept 5
Signature Products: Butt Dust, Chicken Little, Game Changer, Signature Seasoning, and Sweet Heat
How long: 4 years at the fair
Favorite: Grilled Corn
Saints & Sinners BBQ is at the fair for the fourth year this year in the Beisswengers ACE hardware grilling area, where they have a special fair deal on their seasonings and rubs: $8/ bottle or 3 for $20!
