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    Dakota County Fair

    3.5 (10 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

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    Midway at night
    Michelle A.

    Our family has been to this fair about 5 times over a 20 year period. One thing thats unique is the old Dakota Village. When my son was one, I had an old time photo taken here. I think the studio is gone. The old village includes an old bank, church, general store, barber shop, train depot, etc. The fair had some food trucks and newer is the craft beer garden. This included local beer from Spiral in Hastings and Bald Man in Eagan. Good job on that. Other buildings are open class and 4H exhibits and commercial vendors. A little letdown was Johny Holm was to start at 830 and started at 9. The regular beer garden also had Budweiser products. Monday and Sunday were free admission nights but it rained Monday. Admission $5 each and parking $5. Grandstand shows extra. Its a cool fair but could be so much better.

    Did I mention they have crab cakes?!
    Garrett Z.

    Being the second largest fair in Minnesota in the shadow of the MN State Fair can be daunting but the Dakota County Fair does a good job at keeping its silver status. You will find everything you could find at the state fair like fried food, carnival rides and farm animals plus a little extra small town pizazz like a museum dedicated to the early settlers of Southern Minnesota and a small village complete with a real working general store, newspaper press, ice cream parlor and even a jail! And don't forget the exotic animal petting zoo. Plenty of cheese curds and corn dogs to go around too, you never want to wander a fair on an empty stomach.

    Rabbit agility fail, little guy took a 3 minutes to make it all the way around, was more interested in the harness. 1 out of 10

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    Viking Fest Minnesota - Decor at Asfolk

    Viking Fest Minnesota

    4.0(3 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    Longhouse Feast: I believe I found their event on Facebook…read moreand was able to secure a ticket via Eventbrite. I am happy that I had the opportunity to go to their Longhouse Feast. As I saw some comments complaining that the ticket prices are steep for this feast, but I think it is worth it. It is a 2-hour event. The event took place at Asfolk, a Viking martial art facility. When I entered Asfolk, I felt like I have transported to historic Viking times. The staff members at Viking Festival Minnesota are very friendly, approachable, knowledgeable, and professional. Per their Facebook event page and eventbrite, guests can choose to wear Viking clothes, which I dressed as a shield-maiden, so that was fun and received positive compliments. The food offered at the Longhouse Feast was delicious and a lot of food were given! It was a 4-course dinner and we had drink tokens to redeem mead, beer, or wine. I never like to drink alcohol in my life, but that Acerglyn (maple mead) was delicious!!! I really enjoy the stories about Thor, Loki, Freyja, Heimdall, and Odin. I also enjoyed watching the fighting demonstration with swords, axes, and spears. I also had the opportunity to speak to the members at Viking Festival and learned more about Viking culture.... and held a sword! I look forward to what Viking Fest of Minnesota will continue to offer. I definitely look forward to their festival in October - I already bought my tickets!

    Amazing experience and so much to do! I loved the crafting tent and my husband loved the axe…read morethrowing.

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    Viking Fest Minnesota - Asfolk - Viking Martial Arts in Eagan

    Asfolk - Viking Martial Arts in Eagan

    Viking Fest Minnesota
    Viking Fest Minnesota

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    Champions Drive-In Theater - Grand Opening movies (including a turd-burger with Tom Cruise)

    Champions Drive-In Theater

    2.6(5 reviews)
    10.0 mi

    just not a real drive-in , as WE feel , IT'S not family orientated ran an you have to wait TIL…read more the last race is over , for the movie to be shown

    God, I REALLY wanted to like this place…read more.. The new trend of nostalgia that seems to have everything classic American coming back in to vogue, Champions Drive-In has totally messed the whole thing up. This is the first Drive-In that I have ever been to that does not allow outside food, water, juice or soda to be brought in. There is actually a car search and seizure policy that they have in place. To put this into perspective, the police and even the border control can not search your car and seize anything they feel they should take without probable cause. But, don't let basic adherence to the time-honored traditions of the classic Drive-In to stand in the way of rampant greed and a clear power trip by the owner of the Drive-In. Instead of bringing your own snacks in and complimenting them with a big fresh popcorn, something hot (like a hot dog) and something cold like an ice cream treat from the snack bar, Champions will only allow you to select from the unhealthy items from the menu (burgers, fries, hot dogs). So, if you have someone in your group like we did (1 person diabetic, one person allergic to gluten and one disabled with Cerebral Palsy and unable to simply eat something from a snack bar) that has a dietary need or if you want to supplement your junk food cravings with something healthy - Champions will not allow it. This was the first of many blunders... Blunder #2 is - simply put - their rules. You can't sit outside your car in a chair, you can't play catch with your kids (in fact, the rules threaten prosecution in that circumstance), you can not turn your dome light on to find your child's pacifier (you will be kicked out)... basically these are the "Drive-In Nazis". Don't believe me? Here are their rules: http://www.elkospeedway.com/rules-and-policies/ This Drive-In is attempting to compete with our only other metro Frive-In the Vali-Hi Drive-In. To contrast the Vali-Hi with Champions - Admission is cheaper at the Vali-Hi, the Vali-Hi allows in outside food, the Vali-Hi allows in outside beverage, the Vali-Hi charges $1.00 for a hot dog while Champions charges $3.50, the Vali-Hi shows 3 movies while Champions shows 2, the Vali-Hi allows grilling (though this is not a feature that I take advantage of or care much about but it is worth a mention) while Champions does not, you can throw a frisbee or a ball at the Vali-Hi while at Champions they threaten prosecution for it and at the Vali-Hi you can sit outside in a chair while the kids lay on the roof or look out the back of a mini-van, truck or suv while at Champions you can't. BUT, at Champions you get to sit in the car with the dome lights off the entire time, your radio playing the audio quietly enough that you don't bother the car next to you (so I assume windows rolled up then) and you get to stand in a long line for junk food while at the Vali-Hi they.... wait, all those things suck! In summary, this new Champions Drive-In has MAJOR changes to do and QUICK or they will be a one-shot try for people on the road back to the Vali-Hi. At this point, I would say Champions Drive-In is Terrible and something you should save your money and avoid.

    Board & Brush - Lakeville

    Board & Brush - Lakeville

    2.3(3 reviews)
    5.0 mi

    At Board and Brush, you paint and personalize festive, homey wooden things, like wall quotes to…read morehang in your bedroom or welcome signs for the front porch. And, you do this in what many might call a class, but Board and Brush owner Jenn Fleury told me to think of as a concert or other live event. (This sounds fun - but, unfortunately, it didn't bode well for me or other guests - I want to give you a helpful tip to navigate some policies at Board and Brush. But, more about that will come later.) Your experience with Board & Brush will begin online - there's a website and people choose the date of a pre-set event. Then, you choose what you want to create. There is a set price for this experience - approximately $73 - so any item can be selected. Some items (look for the icon) cost approximately $5 more. I would have appreciated some lower-cost tiers. I chose a project and set myself into motion with the party for my friend, making reservations online. the instructions said that staff would assist with the techniques and color choices to coordinate with my space. Then, not long after this, I needed to cancel. I called first and also sent an email, hoping to get a quick assist. The Board and Brush response: A future-use code and a note, saying, "No refunds." I wrote back explaining more and asking for a cash refund. The response: A link to the "policies" page, and an explanation that workshops are like concerts - and, just like concerts, they did not do cash refunds. So, I hope someone else can do it better. I have an unwanted "credit" and a business owner not offering true help. With this in mind, I don't want the Board and Brush experience now. Thanks for taking the time to read through!

    so fun! let me start by saying this is a great place to have a girls get together but you also end…read moreup with a really cute piece of decor for your home! you can bring in your own beverages and snacks and the staff are super helpful.

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    Board & Brush - Lakeville
    Board & Brush - Lakeville
    Board & Brush - Lakeville

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    Saint Paul Farmers Market

    Saint Paul Farmers Market

    5.0(2 reviews)
    11.7 mi

    A delightful array of crafts, produce, specialty foods and a break from your typical shopping with…read moreparking nearby in the fresh air Love it

    Perfect size farmers market with around 40 vendors that come each Thursday. I always end up leaving…read morewith more bags of fresh veggies and fruit then I can carry so I have to bring a friend or take multiple trips Sometimes Karl's soap will be there and he makes the best soap ever. I literally bought 60 bars last year, which he gave me a deal on at $3 a bar (usually $4 each). The meat vendor has the best brats I've ever had as well. They are pricey at $7.50 for only 4 brats but they are worth it. They also cook and serve fresh brats during the market. My favorites are Italian Mozzarella and the chicken brats. Send me a comment if you have one of those 2 brats and they aren't the best you've ever had, I would like to know where I can get better Fresh bouquet of flowers for only $5! I'm sure this is available at most markets, but have to mention it. If I ever get remarried I will speak to those guys about furnishing my wedding. They have an EBT station which is a great idea but don't see many taking advantage of it. Saw my first food truck this year (2013) so maybe this will be a good spot to eat each Thursday if more catch on. However the brats are so amazing that I'm not sure if I would stop getting those anytime soon Perfect place for someone who wants to juice. Most veggies are only $1 to $2 a bag so you can budget $20 and have a weeks worth of juice.

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    Saint Paul Farmers Market
    Saint Paul Farmers Market
    Saint Paul Farmers Market

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    Dakota County Fair - festivals - Updated May 2026

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