The Minnesota State Fair kicks off

Fairgoers smile and laugh as they ride down The Giant Slide Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, at The State Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights, Minn.

Alex Kormann, Star Tribune

Maryjane Burgett, 6, of St. Paul, walks through metal detectors at the gates of the Minnesota State Fair on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Falcon Heights, Minn. At precisely 7 a.m., the gates are opened and fairgoers are let into the State Fairgrounds.

Alex Kormann, Star Tribune

Nadine Hackshaw and her sister, Renée Mueggenborg, top to bottom, plan for their day with a map at the State Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights.

Alex Kormann, Star Tribune

Nadine Hackshaw, Brock Mueggenborg and Renée Mueggenborg, left to right, plan for their day with a map at the State Fairgrounds.

Alex Kormann, Star Tribune

People line up for breakfast outside of Hamline Church Dining Hall.

Alex Kormann, Star Tribune

Olivia Kalas, 8, shovels pancakes in her mouth during her birthday breakfast at Hamline Church Dining Hall.

Alex Kormann, Star Tribune

Alex Robinson, 15, laughs as he rides the rollercoaster "Infinity".

Alex Kormann, Star Tribune

Ro McClellan, 11, carefully aims his squirt gun before the start of the game.

Alex Kormann, Star Tribune

A game operator hands Lindsey Clayton-King a prize after she won a water squirter game.

Alex Kormann, Star Tribune

Vincent Christiaansen, 3, sits in a stroller alongside two stuffed animal prizes.

Alex Kormann, Star Tribune

Eight-year-old J.J. (no lastname) cools off with a smoothie to the cheek on the first day of the Minnesota State Fair on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 in Falcon Heights, Minn.