Whether it be due to bad weather, COVID-19, or the lack of COVID-19 restrictions, the Great Minnesota Get Together saw a record low attendance in its first opening weekend in two years.
On opening day, the Minnesota State Fair saw a half of what a typical opening day looks like, with only 60,000 Minnesotans making their way to the fairgrounds. In comparison, in 2019, just over 133,000 enjoyed some double deep-fried food on day one.
For the first weekend of the 2021 Minnesota State Fair, numbers remained low, with many Minnesotans hesitant about getting their pronto pups and glasses of milk. However, Sunday did seem to be a bit more normal, with better weather prompting more Minnesotans to make their way out.
On Friday, 77,406 made their way out to the grounds, followed by almost 130,000 on Saturday and 149,247 on Sunday. Compared to 2019's numbers, the first Friday had 157,224, Saturday had 209,105, and Sunday had 191,524.
Numerous Minnesotans have taken to social media sharing their hesitancy about going to the fair this year.
There’s still time for the Minnesota State Fair to change course and require masks. https://t.co/1qyJoV6YXs
— jburcum (@jburcum) August 25, 2021
STATE FAIR GOERS OF MINNESOTA - Bring your mask with ya, leave your gun at home. https://t.co/LK1VYdAXqN
— janashortal (@janashortal) August 25, 2021
Last week, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz shared with News Talk 830 WCCO's Chad Hartman that he wished the fair had put some type of restriction in place.
"I know as well as anybody in the state how tough these decisions are," Walz said. "I think I wish they would have gone with that because I think most Minnesotans understand that those are reasonable requests that are not infringing upon your freedoms."
Now with a whole week of fair food and grandstand performances ahead, the fair could see some of the lowest numbers it ever has before.
