It’s State Fair Week

Concerts … food … carnival … exhibits … food … free entertainment … competitions … food … It’s State Fair Week!  Get to Minot for the return of the North Dakota State Fair!  Last year’s flooding in Minot forced the cancellation of the State Fair which is back and bigger than ever in 2012.

Through July 28, guests will find days and nights full of entertainment, food and fun! Upcoming concert headliners include the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Chris Young, Blake Shelton and Foreigner.  Plus, there are a ton of free stage acts like the Swampmaster Alligator Show and Comic Ventriliquist.

Families will find SO much to do!  Are you registered for the Cloverdale Hot Dog Eating Contest?  How about the Kids Cupcake Decorating Contest?  Every day, head to the ND Game & Fish Skills Park for hands-on tries at fishing, archery and trapping.  Looking for some deals this week? No problem – the State Fair has them posted online.

And did I mention food?!  With the Fair comes so much yummy goodness!  This year a team of fearless eaters had the super tough job of tasting all the new foods on the midway.  Check out the results … while I apply to be on the judging committee next year.

When visiting the North Dakota State Fair, be sure to take lots of pictures and then upload them to Flickr in order to enter the first ever ND State Fair Flickr Photo Contest! Your photo could win you $500!

 

Governor’s Photo Contest Announced

Calling all amateur North Dakota photographers!  There’s cash, publicity and a basic AAA membership calling you!

Best of Show winner, 2009 - Fargo's Finest, photo by Duane Strand

The 2010 Governor’s North Dakota Photo Contest was announced today.  The contest is open to all amateur (as in, non-professional) photographers who are 18 years of age or older and legal residents of North Dakota.

There are six contest categories:  adventure, attractions, events, people, scenery and wildlife.  A $200 cash prize will be awarded to the winner in each category with a Best of Show winner receiving an additional $300 and AAA membership.  Honorable mentions will receive Legendary North Dakota merchandise.

In addition to the traditional mail-in method, entries will also be taken via flickr this year.  Join the Legendary North Dakota Travel photo pool at flickr and remember to tag photos “ND2010Contest” to enter.

The contest details and official rules are available online at NDtourism.com – along with galleries of the contest winners from the past two years.  Get snapping and enter!