Watch CBS News

'A Taste Of Minnesota' Returns To Carver County

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It may look like the Minnesota State Fair, but it has got its own flavor.

"All the great music, all the great bands, it's fantastic," Chaska resident Daniel Mills said.

A Taste of Minnesota, which dates back to 1983, has had its share of issues over the years.

Originally held on the grounds of the State Capitol, it went on a three-year hiatus from 2011 to 2013 due to bankruptcy. And it had to move from Harriet Island in St. Paul because of flooding last year.

"We had literally five, six days to throw everything together," A Taste of Minnesota owner Mark Kassebaum said.

Organizers say its back this year -- and bigger than ever at its new home in Waconia.

"Obviously this year we had a year. You can do a lot more in a year than you can in five days," Kassebaum said.

They have adding a new craft beer garden, and music acts like Minnesota-native Kat Perkins.

But for many, it is still about the food.

"I've got an apple pie with a hand-rolled feta cheese crust," Dave Hulsett, of Dave the Pie Guy, said. "It's got a walnut streusel topping, and it's got three different apples inside. Where are you going to find that pie?"

If you want your fix for all things on a stick this weekend, you don't have to wait for the State Fair -- just head to A Taste of Minnesota.

"Great entertainment, great food, great fireworks, and all types of people like those," Kassebaum said.

You can catch the fireworks Friday night and Saturday night at 10:20 p.m.

Admission is free from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and then it is $10 after that. The event runs through Sunday.

Click here for more information.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.