2024 Minnesota State Fair’s Eco Experience

The Minnesota State Fair conjures up scenes of copious crowds, generator-humming eateries, and layering heat. Add to that a palpable ocean of sensory stimulation, spectacle, and awe. Aptly nicknamed “The Great Minnesota Get-Together,” this annual tradition is also is a kind of pilgrimage, in my mind, to a host of gathering signs, symbols and sensibilities around community. Fair goers share ideas and conversations around communal and individual ways of being. I found this year’s Eco Experience at the Fair such a gathering place for community-building around sustainability. 

I took in some cool exhibits, as well. After all, this was the place to “[g]et inspired to lead a more sustainable life with easy, everyday reduce-reuse-recycle how-tos and engaging, interactive exhibits,” as touted on the Fair’s website. Exhibit designers utilized inclusive practices utilizing space and creating activities appropriate for a range of ages and abilities.

A curious sight drew me like a magnet: I’d come upon “Bagnado,” a giant, spinning tornado comprised of plastic bags! The installation stretched to the rafters. Many captivated children encircled the mesmerizingly colorful behemoth, staring wide-eyed, all smiles.

Information about plastic waste accompanied the gargantuan whirlwind. Apparently, Minnesotans dispose of 600 tons of plastic packaging, including grocery bags every day. That’s 14 pounds every second! An estimated 22 million pounds of plastic pollutions make their way to the Great Lakes yearly. It’s costly, too. A study found each plastic bag cost taxpayers 14 cents. Decontaminating the recycling stream, disposal and landfill processing adds up!

I sauntered to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s e-bike exhibit. A smattering of e-bikes for awaited saddling by visitors. E-bikes provide lots of benefits as an alternative to many other forms of transportation. Importantly, e-bikes extend the cycling distance range over traditional bikes – which can reduce dependence on motor vehicles. E-bikes use lithium-ion batteries with zero emissions, reducing air contaminants. Comfort and increased speed over traditional bikes also add pluses. 

The Minnesota Department of Health’s medication disposal site exhibit proved interesting. My spouse is a pharmacist, so I wanted to learn more. I found instructions to access information about take-back locations for leftover medications. Such medications can source accidental poisonings, overdoses, and environmental contamination. I linked to www.pca.state.mn.us/unwantedmeds, entered my zip code, and received various disposal site locations within set mileage radiuses of my home.

The exhibit on electric vehicles (EVs) and electric-powered tools garnered much interest this year. Visitors lined up to glance at a Tesla’s 2024 Cybertruck model. With a 11,000-pound towing capacity and 340-mile range per charge this futuristic-clad beastie was a crowd favorite. Also on hand was a line-up of electric lawn mowers and lots of information about benefits and care. 

Other appealing, exceedingly-educational exhibits leaned in on areas such as soil health, solar energy (including information on solar installers, financing/tax credits, and community solar gardens), pollinator gardens, local food initiatives, and the Minnesota GreenCorps.

The 2024 Eco Experience created a decidedly warm sense of community. Vibrant displays and inviting activities for all ages helped fairgoers along on their journey towards sustainable living and practices. I would suggest adding an area for showcasing more local green non-profits. Opportunities to learn about positive environmental actions visitors can successfully build at the neighborhood level would add to shared goals of community-building around sustainability. 

 

Other Resources:

• EV’s and alternative fuels (Minnesota Clean Cities Coalition), https://www.cleanairchoice.org/clean-cities/minnesota-clean-cities-coalition/#/resources

• Soil health (Minnesota Soil Health Coalition), https://www.mnsoilhealth.org/technical-information/

• Tax credits and rebates to help kick carbon (fresh energy), 

https://electrificationandyou.org/

• Growing and sustaining local food systems (FEAST! Local Foods Network)

https://www.local-feast.org/

Rennie Gaither is a Frogtown Green volunteer. Frogtown Green is a resident-led and volunteer-powered environmental initiative in St Paul’s most diverse neighborhood. If you’d like to know more, browse frogtowngreen.com or call 651-757-5970.