Arts and Entertainment

Local artist transforms reality with sculptures

Minot sculptor Mackenzie Ploof was gifted her first clique of Monster High dolls when she was around 10 years old, an event Ploof believes influenced her interest in sculpture and creative figure making. The gift wasn’t received by happenstance, however. “I discovered (Monster High dolls) before they were released in stores. I was like ‘Mom! Dad! Look! Toys R’ Us has this! And we can order it from Toys R’ Us! They’re not available anywhere else yet!’ I had a whole powerpoint made,” Ploof said. “Because my parents are wonderful, they ordered me the whole first ...

Divide County Threshing Bee

Sensational sea lions stir up State Fair fun

Sea lions are not seals. This is one of the educational points made during the Sea Lion Splash performance at the North Dakota State Fair. Lilly and Maya, the star sea lions of the free stage show, may not be seals but they are definitely entertainers. “We just play the music and they know ...

Phenomenist brings Danger Magik to State Fair free stage

Master of magic Michael Mezmer has been dazzling audiences across the globe for more than five decades and has made a pit stop on his summer tour at the North Dakota State Fair. For Mezmer, showbiz was a family affair. As a young child his older brother would drag him along to auditions ...

Pie-makers keep tradition going

Dozens of fresh-baked pies have been showing up daily at the North Dakota State Fair since its inception, and this year is no exception. Pies emerge hot from the ovens every morning at First Lutheran Church in Minot, where volunteers don their aprons at 6 a.m. to knead the perfect dough, roll ...

State Fair cornhole contestants test skills