WCCO 4 At The Fair: Day 5

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (WCCO) -- Today is Seniors, Kids, and Minnesota State Patrol Day. Some vintage State Patrol Cars are on display on West Dan Patch Avenue, and you can play to win some cool State Patrol giveaways.

The heat wave does seem to be effecting attendance.

There were nearly 40,000 less people at the fair on Sunday than a year ago Sunday -- that also dropped total fair attendance below last year so far.

Part 1: Steichen's Grocery | Potato Man

Sunshine, food on a stick and thousands of happy Minnesotans. What more could you need when coming to the State Fair?

What about band-aids for your blisters? Extra diapers for the babies? A piece of fruit when you need a break from the fried food?

Well, you can get all of that at the full convenience store and deli on the fairgrounds. It's open to the public and it's been there for more than 80 years.

And the heat won't stop Amelia and Frank from trying some fair food -- they chat with the folks at Potato Man and Sweetie.

Part 2: Synthetic Ice Rink | Deep Fried Olives

Minnesota is known as the State of Hockey, so why not brush up on our skills here at the fair. Frank, Amelia and Chris went to check out a synthetic rink that lets you skate year round.

Plus, they're one of the most popular new fair foods this year -- check out how the deep-fried olives are made.

Part 3: Craft Beer | Daily Dance Off!

Craft Beer in Minnesota is a booming business, and Jason DeRusha never misses out on a chance to sample. Hear from a few brewery owners and head brewers on what they're offering at the fairgrounds.

Plus, we check out the contestants for today's Daily Dance Off!

Part 4: Pig Barn | Where At The Fair?

At the Swine Barn today, we found Big Kenny staying cool. He's the largest boar at the fair, about 1,045 pounds.

He's owned by Keith Thurston and sons out of Madelia, Minnesota. A much smaller pig stops by WCCO and we find out how they keep these animals cool.

Then, it's time to find out where in the fair Jamie Yuccas was -- we found out the clues, now see if your guess was right!

Part 5: Dance Champion Crowned

Who won the Daily Dance Off? Find out.

Part 6: Manny's Tortas | Water Balloon Toss

We get a taste of Manny's Tortas. Jason DeRusha finds out how they're made and chats with owner Manny Gonzalez about his fair food.

We love our games and contests. So, seeing as it's so hot today, we thought we'd challenge three of our audience members to a water balloon toss.

Part 7: Midwest Firefighters Calendar | Chicken Calls

It's getting even hotter at the fair thanks to two of the stars of the Midwest Firefighters calendar.

Plus, Chris Shaffer shows Jamie Yuccas what it takes to win the animal calls competition at the State Fair.

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This year at the Great Minnesota Get-Together, WCCO-TV is once again putting your meteorology skills to the test.

This year's theme is all about weather and our amazing weather team.

Fairgoers will have a chance to "become" a meteorologist for a day – putting their skills to the test to report the weather as a fair forecaster in front of a large, touch-screen TV, incorporated with special effects.

In addition to testing your meteorology skills, fairgoers will have the opportunity to experiment with the Chroma Key, a special effects green screen used during weather forecasts.

Are you apart of our Weather Watcher Network? Come to the WCCO-TV Fair Forecaster booth to get the latest weather updates and try out the Weather Watcher Network program our meteorologists use on-air.

We'll also be giving away free "Weather is Our Nature" bags to every guest that visits our WCCO-TV Fair Forecaster booth during the designated bag giveaway times – 10:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m.

Outside of the WCCO-TV booth, fairgoers will have the opportunity to check out WCCO's Mobile Weather Watcher, a state-of-the-art weather-tracking machine.

And as always, your favorite WCCO anchors and reporters will be on hand to take photos with fans and fair guests during several daily photograph sessions.

And be sure to get a good seat to watch the LIVE broadcasts – at noon, 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.

The WCCO-TV booth is at the corner of Carnes Ave. and Nelson St.

We can't wait for you to join us at the fair!