What Are The Best Things At The 2025 Minnesota State Fair?

What are the best things at the fair? That's a loaded question.

This year, the Minnesota State Fair says they have nearly 1,000 commercial exhibitors, vendors, concessions, attractions, and food & drink outlets taking part in the fair. How can you pick what's the best from a thousand different options?

The Minnesota State Fair's organizers try to do just that, naming the recipients of their "2025 Best Awards". In a ceremony held on Thursday (August 28), the fair's organizers named 12 different businesses to this year's "best of" list, using some specific criteria.

Among the factors the fair's organizers use to name vendors to this list include:

• Provide exceptional, efficient customer service and an outstanding experience for fair guests
• Knowledgeable staff with positive attitudes who are courteous, thoughtful and professional
• An amazing visual presentation and positive image
• Present a premium quality product/service
• Offer great value

Even using those considerations, it can be tough to name just 12 vendors! Here is the list the Minnesota State Fair came up with for 2025:

Minnesota State Fair “2025 Best Awards” Winners

Australian Battered Potatoes – This vendor serves up battered, deep-fried potatoes with several different toppings. (Map & more info)

Giggles’ Campfire Grill – This year marks Giggles’ 25th anniversary at the Great Minnesota Get-Together. Their delicious and inventive foods like walleye cakes, duck bacon wontons, and a huge selection of beers are among the reasons people love to visit every year. (Map & more info)

READ MORE: Are They Worth It? Reviewing Some Of The Most Popular New Foods At The 2025 Minnesota State Fair

Just Beautiful by JB – This vendor sells "playful, vibrant accessories like headbands, bags, apparel, and more that make kids feel special and confident". (Map & more info)

Kiddie Bumper Boats – These bumper boats in the Kidway are owned and operated by Fair Ride Entertainment. Kids have been able to enjoy this ride at the fair for many years. (Map & more info)

The Kracken – This is a pretty new ride at the fair, added to the Mighty Midway in 2024. It is an 80-foot-tall pendulum swing ride with arms that stretch out 147 feet, owned and operated by Iconic Midway Rides. (Map & more info)

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Lake Superior Drift Co. – This Wabasha-based business sells Lake Superior driftwood art, driftwood mobile kits, mobiles, ornaments, and more. (Map & more info)

Libby’s Ice Cream & Co. – This ice cream stand sells 16 different flavors of soft serve ice cream, frozen bananas dipped in chocolate (on a stick, of course), shakes, sundaes, and more. (Map & more info)

Manny’s Tortas – This food destination serves up a variety of Mexican tortas, tacos al pastor, non-alcoholic piña coladas served in a hollowed-out fresh pineapple, and more. (Map & more info)

Minnesota Native Landscapes – This vendor is marking their first year at the State Fair in 2025. They sell native species of live plants as well as seed packets for habitat restoration and pollinator gardens. (Map & more info)

READ MORE: The 'Leinie Lodge' Is No More At The Minnesota State Fair

NordicSol – This vendor offers a new way to think about spaces around your home. They showcase frameless, retractable glass walls for outdoor spaces such as decks, porches, patios, and balconies. (Map & more info)

Roll-A-Ball Racer – Another Mighty Midway attraction makes this list. This one is a popular game owned and operated by Boguey Concessions. (Map & more info)

That’s Invintage – Last, but not least, this western women’s boutique found in the Coliseum sells unique handmade items like women’s apparel and jewelry. (Map & more info)

Now, admittedly, there are some other hugely popular vendors that aren't on this list. The long-running favorite Sweet Martha's Cookies or the more recent gem Peachey's Baking Co. and their Amish doughnuts are probably among the first places that might come to mind when you think of must-stop destinations.

I suppose everyone knows about those. I can appreciate showing some love to other spots around the fair, too!