Religion is a central theme of the Minnesota State Fair. Faith leaders from many different religions gather to fundraise and showcase their hospitality.
As the sun rose on an unusually steamy opening day of the, Jeff Knott and his two daughters joined the already long breakfast line outside the Hamline Church Dining Hall.
Here in the middle of the Twin Cities, in addition to two church dining halls that have served up hot meals for a combined 200 years, there are fairgrounds Sunday services, booths handing out free Bibles or Qurans, and a stage for Christian bands beside the rides. "There was very spirited bidding by Twin Cities churches to be at the fair. Churches were built on state fair dining hall money," said Jane McClure, Hamline Church’s historian. Fair fundraising remains important, helping finance homeless and food ministries in the churches’ neighborhoods.
At the dining halls, the religious touch is light — a few prayer signs on the walls,"pastor" name tags worn by leaders as they serve Swedish meatballs or dill pickle lemonade paletas, a Midwestern take on Mexican popsicles. Aliza Lamprecht, 7, grabbed a copy of the latter after running up to the tent en route to volunteering at the cattle barn.
"There’s no other place with so many Minnesotans together," said Mashood Yunus, who helped found the group to combat misinformation about Islam."This is election year now, so we really want to make sure we don’t let misinformation spread."
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
A fitting number: State champion pumpkin tips scales at Alaska State FairThe 2023 Midnight Sun Great Pumpkin Weight-Off didn't reach a record, but Dale Marshall once again won the crown with a pumpkin that tipped the scales at 2,023.5 pounds at the Alaska State Fair.
Read more »
Everything you need to know about the 2023 Colorado State FairFrom parking arrangements, competitions, events, shows, and more here is everything you need to know about the 2023 Colorado State Fair.
Read more »
Meet the people behind the rides and games at the Colorado State Fair CarnivalDuring the fair hundreds of people come to play these carnival games and to go on the rides, but all this would not happen without the game agents.
Read more »
- State Fair food, CDs, Czechs, Albert Einstein, LBJ, Highland ParkLetters to the Editor
Read more »
Here are 10 things to check out over the final weekend of the Alaska State FairThere are plenty of concerts, contests and displays, plus Military Appreciation Day on Sunday and First Responders Day on Monday.
Read more »