Wander Minnesota: Heritage Square

One long-time attraction at the Minnesota State Fair is the area known as Heritage Square. It's a more old-fashioned kind of entertainment, with historical exhibits, a newspaper museum, and various shops and food outlets. This may be the last year for Heritage Square as it is now; plans are being discussed to tear it down and create a transit hub instead.

Let's take a look at what's there and why many people are sad to hear of its potential demise.

Behind the Midway and across the street from the Perfect Pickle is the entrance.

It's not everywhere at the Fair that you can find a bookseller.

The popular Ole's Cannoli is nearby, selling its delicious concoctions.

Who wouldn't want that? Especially now that you can have your cannoli with bacon.

Old-timey shop fronts house a number of vendors, everything from candles to sculpture to Christmas ornaments.

Minnesota's own J.R. Watkins has a cute little shop here.

And Aussie walk-about hats, most definitely not made in China.

There's plenty to eat here too, besides cannoli. Who could resist funnel cake fries?

Or perhaps you're more inclined to some protein. With sarsaparilla.

You can munch on your turkey drumstick while taking in free entertainment at the Heritage Square stage.

Or a show at the Wild West Comedy stage.

Live blacksmithing and woodturning exhibitions are offered daily.

Or check out this old-time farmstead, complete with vintage farm equipment.

Take a trip through a number of old train cars, each one filled with memorabilia from various stages of life, including this look at the local skating scene.

You have a few more days to get your trip to Heritage Square in before the Fair ends. It may not look like this at the 2014 Fair.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.