It’s North Dakota State Fair time in Minot.

The festivities officially begin Friday, and for nine days, Minot will welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors. They’ll party at the concerts. They’ll visit the exhibits and displays, and they’ll patronize the vendors. They’ll watch the parade. They’ll play the carnival games and hop on the midway rides. And, of course, they’ll indulge in the food.

The North Dakota State Fair has become synonymous with Minot. In fact, the Fair is a staple of life in our community, and it’s an important part of our history. For many people in Minot, summer is split into two parts: Before the State Fair and after the State Fair. Some go as far as to say that once the Fair ends, summer’s almost over, even though the calendar says differently.

We welcome the yearly opportunity to showcase everything our community offers to Fair visitors. We’re proud of our city, and the options we have for those folks seeking one-of-a-kind shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences. We have unique establishments downtown and throughout our business community that will be waiting for our guests with open arms during the Fair, and the rest of the year, too.

But there is so much more to the relationship between Minot and the North Dakota State Fair. The two are indelibly linked. The Fair is part of Minot’s DNA, and our community plays a vital role in the success of the Fair. We need each other, we make each other better, and we thrive on each other’s success.

The sense of community spirit that runs through Minot and North Dakota is abundantly visible at the Fair, too. When you’re at the Fair, how often do you meet someone you know from another city, or another state? Or a relative? If you’re like me, that happens every time you’re at the Fair. That small-town feel, with a sense of “everyone knows everyone,” is a huge part of what makes our state a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

Fair week provides yet another reminder that North Dakota is a unique place. We don’t always do things the way everyone else does, and that’s a good thing. Sometimes, it’s difficult to explain when someone asks why we live here, or asks us to describe our state or our city. Maybe it’s difficult to explain because, to us, this is simply a way of life. For those who grew up here, it’s who we are, and most of us don’t know any other way. North Dakota nice doesn’t happen by accident; it’s ingrained in our upbringing, and we work hard to maintain that standard of friendliness toward visitors.

As part of that community spirit, I issue this challenge to our residents during Fair week: Let’s welcome our visitors to the Magic City. Share some ideas with them about places they should visit while they’re in town, whether it’s your favorite restaurant, a place to relax with the kids, or an establishment to sample some local beverages. Make them feel at home, and let them know you’re glad they’re here.

And while you’re at the Fair, enjoy yourself. Go ahead and have that corn dog, or a deep-fried cookie. Sample something you haven’t tried before. Check out the livestock shows and the equipment displays. Appreciate the hard work, dedication, and skill that goes into the 4-H and FFA exhibits. Chat with some of the vendors and let them know you appreciate them taking part in our Fair. Say hi to the friends, neighbors, and relatives you’ll surely meet at the Fair.

By the way, if you watch the State Fair Parade this Saturday, you might notice a certain mayor being driven through the parade by members of the Minot Fire Department. I’m looking forward to having a great view of the thousands of people lining the parade route on Broadway and Burdick Expressway. I’m proud of our city and the role we play in hosting the North Dakota State Fair every year. I consider it a privilege to be mayor of this great community, and it will be my honor to represent our residents and the City of Minot during the parade.

See you at the Fair.

Sincerely, City Hall

You can find more about what’s happening at the City of Minot at minotnd.org, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. We’d also encourage you to sign up for our monthly electronic newsletter on our website.