Update 7/16/2012: Hi Folks- a little update here and a reminder that the Minnesota State Fair tweet-up is only six weeks away!  Most of the information remains the same, I’ll start looking at hotels, either for a block of rooms, or a specific “book here” option very shortly.  I’d just like to see a few more out of town confirmations.  However, we will be staying in downtown Minneapolis.

If you are not squeamish about trains, the Light Rail here is fantastic and will get you from the Airport to downtown Minneapolis and back to the Mall of America if you want.  There will be shuttles all weekend running to and from the fair, so you don’t need to worry about that either.  Basically, what I am saying here is that you don’t have to rent a car.

Fiona will be setting up State Fair bingo (“Bib overalls with a nose ring! Bingo!” for us to play.  And, we are getting the rest of the weekend’s events together.  To get you salivating, here’s a list of the new foods at the fair this year.  

Please sign up early and often http://tweetvite.com/event/deepfried so that I can start to make the proper arrangements.  We’d love to have you!

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There have been numerous requests for the Twin Cities folks to host a Minnesota State Fair Tweet-Up.  Deep Fried Twitter if you will.  The Minnesota State Fair is amazing.  It’s the second largest state fair in attendance next to Texas, although those southerners are open for ten more days.  You can just get about anything on a stick from deep fried Snickers, to bacon, to beer to even more delicious things that will make you ever forget the corndog was once the zenith of food on a stick food deployment technology.  Also, butter sculptures, bands that you weren’t embarrassed to listen to decades ago, plenty of beer and just about the right amount of animal poo.  

So we would love to have you join us.  Information on the tentative plan is below.  If there’s enough interest, I will organize a group rate for a hotel in downtown Minneapolis.  Don’t fret, even though the events are spread out, the public transportation is excellent and the cabs are plentiful.  There is no reason to need a car.

When - Friday, August 24 through Sunday, August 26

To Sign Up - http://tweetvite.com/event/deepfried

Tentative Schedule of Events (So Far):

Friday Night -Mackenzie’s Pub. Visit my favorite pub in the Twin Cities with a fantastic deck, a boiling hot upstairs they’ll let us have to ourselves and the best beer and Scotch selection in the Minneapolis.

Saturday Morning - Trip to the Mall of America if you are into shopping OR a Tour of the Summit Brewing Company if you prefer beer (tentative). 

Saturday Afternoon until 10 or 11 PM - THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR plan on dinner, drinks, lots of walking and billions of the most adorable Nigerian goats you could ever want to see.  Also, tons of other stuff to do and see.  Also, with all the foods to sample, it’s best to have friends you can share things with - antibiotics for your selection of Internet friends not included.

Late Saturday Night -A Bar (not yet planned). Just because you have indigestion and your feet hurt doesn’t mean the party is over.  Wash the State Fair down with some Jack and Coke and maybe some behavior you’ll regret.

Sunday Morning - Possibly brunch at Ike’s.  I’m told their Bloody Mary, called The Weekender, is one of the wonders of the modern world.  Here’s the description from the website: “A 20oz. drink made to order with Smirnoff Vodka, Sacramento Tomato juice, Tabasco Sauce, horseradish, L&P Worcestershire Sauce, salt and pepper. The glass is rimmed with Kosher Salt and Celery Salt then garnished with a celery stalk, pickled asparagus spear and lime wedge. The whole thing is topped off with a skewer of pepperonicini, black olive, green olive, cocktail onion, baby dill pickle and American cheese. And, as if this weren’t enough, it comes accompanied by another skewer of chilled shrimp and spicy smoked beef stick.“ Why there is cheese in your drink, I don’t know, but it’s Minnesota so you should just roll with it.

Anyway, that’s the rough plan right now.  As anyone who has ever worked with me knows, I make the damn trains run on time - so don’t worry if some details are missing at the moment.  I’ll make sure they are solidified sooner rather than later.  Also, please feel free to spread the word.  A happy Tweet-Up is an attended Tweet-Up.