Minnesota State Fair attendance sets new pandemic-era high

Attendance at the Minnesota State Fair topped 1.9 million visitors this year, marking the largest turnout since the 2020 event was canceled due to the pandemic, organizers announced Tuesday.

The big picture: Fairgoers reveled in the mostly mild weather during the Get-Together's 12-day run.

• They set five daily attendance records — all on days with highs in the mid 70s to low 80s.

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Data: State Fair; Note: 2020 fair cancelled due to COVID-19; Chart: Axios Visuals

Yes, but: This year's two hottest days were the State Fair's worst-attended in two decades.

• Roughly 80,000 visitors attended on Monday, Aug. 26, and Thursday, Aug. 29. Both days also saw rounds of strong storms .
• Outside of the pandemic-limited 2021 fair, the last time daily attendance was that low was the rain-soaked opening day of 2006, with 75,910 visitors.

Pro tip: For anyone looking to avoid the crowds, the fair's opening day remains your best bet. Even though it set a daily record this year, attendance data show this day has the smallest average crowds.

• Crowds are also sparse during the middle of the week, and Labor Day usually sees a dip from the preceding weekend.

What we're watching: Whether the State Fair can eclipse the 2 million attendance mark again, as it did in the two years before the pandemic.

Data: State Fair; Table: Axios Visuals