The Minnesota State Fair is about the only thing to look forward to when summer nears its twilight. As September approaches, we are well aware that soon our beautiful lakes will be frozen and the abundance of green will be covered in white. The fair is a great chance to get outside, eat food on a stick and, since the 2006 introduction of the Eco Experience, learn how to be green.

 

The Eco Experience is a stop at the fair dedicated to going green. It highlights green jobs in Minnesota, eating environmentally friendly food, sustainable living practices and much more. The event is the "largest and most-attended educational exhibit of green technologies, products and practices in the country," according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. 

 

As the weekend approaches and Minnesotans flock to the fairgrounds, I'll be making my way as well. I've never checked out the Eco Experience before, and I usually avoid the fair. As fun as it is for some, the crowds, expense and smell of garbage are generally a turn off. But it is nice to know that despite the negatives, some folks are making an effort to put a sustainable spin on the event. It's great to see environmental consciousness enter the radar on such popular events. Even if the Eco Experience isn't the main attraction, after walking by the station it will make throwing away that plastic Coca-Cola bottle instead of recycling it a bit more difficult.