Couple Celebrates 50 Years Of Love At The State Fair

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It may look like the typical opening day at the Minnesota State Fair Thursday. But for Mary and Dean VanDerWerf, this is more than just the start of The Great Minnesota Get-Together.

"We're celebrating our 50th anniversary, which is pretty special to us," Mary said.

This couple began their love story in 1966, and the state fair quickly found its way into family tradition.

Dean says they have only missed about one or two years of the fair.

"We started going with the family when they were little," Mary said.

When the time came to celebrate a half century, it seemed fitting that the state fair would be part of the festivities.

"[Our anniversary is] actually September, but we love the fair so they decided to celebrate here," said Mary to Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

Family and friends did not want to miss this milestone.

"That's what's helped us be married 50 years is all our friends and family [laughs]," she said.

They wanted 50 years of love on display for all to see.

"I think regular families would just do T-shirts, but we have Dean and Mary on a stick," said daughter Sara VanDerWerf.

On this golden anniversary, the traditional gifts would not do. Their family presented them with replica butter sculptures of their heads.

This family believes there is a much better way to capture Mary and Dean's commitment.

"Even to this day [they are] in love, and [they] display that to us through actions more than words," Sara said.

The VanDerWerfs typically attend the fair at least three times a summer. Their love of the fair has extended to their three children -- and now their four grandchildren.

Their advice to a long, happy marriage? Understanding and forgiveness, because they say no one is perfect.