The Urban Explorer

E xploring our regional amenities

Tim Spitzck Editor

Whathas five humps, stands 50 feet tall and is the color of a sunkissed lemon? Since you glanced at the photo accompanying this article, you know the behemoth in question is the Giant Slide at the Minnesota State Fair, one of the most iconic attractions of the Great Minnesota Get-Together, which begins this year August 24.

For more than 50 years, the slide has offered thrills for young and old alike. And there’s one thing for certain, you don’t see any frowns on the faces of the approximately 300,000 annual riders who zip down the 170-foot-long slide in a handful of seconds.

The ritual begins with purchasing a ticket for $4, grabbing a felt mat on which to slide, then climbing 100 steps to the top (which does make some frown and huff).

A recorded message repeatedly reminds those waiting in line of the proper riding position: sit up straight and keep legs straight out. Then the fun begins. The slide’s first wave elicits the most screams, which are amplified by microphones strung over the 30-foot-wide attraction. The remaining humps play tricks as well, especially on those who’ve already devoured too many cheese curds, Pronto Pups and other foodstuffs on a stick. And then, just like that, the thrill is over. Riders deposit their mats and walk away with either a new summertime experience, or another notch in their Giant Slide belt. Those who didn’t pay attention to the sliding instructions might even have their own special souvenir –a slight burn on their elbow, much like a carpet burn. No one seems to mind though. It’s simply a lesson learned for their next trip down.

Fred Pittroff introduced the slide to the Minnesota

State Fair in 1969 and it’s been a permanent fixture ever since. Rides back then cost 25 cents, and the mats were made of burlap. The California native grew up with a love for amusement parks and fairs. By age 15 he was selling hot dogs on a stick (in true State Fair style) at a park in Newport Beach, Calif. Ten years later he met a man from an amusement park in Santa Cruz and learned that his giant slide was the park’s most popular ride. That meeting changed the trajectory of Pittroff’s career. Up to that point, he had worked in his family’s printing business and moonlighted at fairs on the weekends, selling hot dogs. Before long, Pittroff was manufacturing and operating giant slides across the country. His father-in-law, who owned a scaffolding business, helped him build his first slide, and from the late 1960s through the ’80s Pittroff built 42 slides. He also operated 10 of them for several years, eventually selling most. The only ones under his control are at the Minnesota State Fair and the Wisconsin State Fair. The company no longer builds slides.

Pittroff’s business has always been a family affair. Fred, who still works each fair, has been responsible for manufacturing, sales and operations, and his wife, Beverly, managed administrative duties until her death in 2010. She passed away on the last day of the Minnesota State Fair and a memorial bench has been placed near the slide in her memory. Today, their daughter Stacey and her husband Robert Barona manage operations. They met at the Fair in 1993 and, fittingly, were married at the top of the Giant Slide on opening day in 1996. In 2015, Fred Pittroff was named a Living Legend by the National Independent Concessionaires Association and in 2017 was inducted into the Minnesota State Fair Hall of Fame.

Outdoor music, movies, fairs and festivals

Music in Mears ParkFree concerts are held noon1 p.m. at Mears Park, 221 5th St. E., every Tuesday and Wednesday. The lineup features Mellifera, Aug. 1; Joan of Profile, Aug. 2; Capital City Wind Ensemble, Aug. 8; Dale & Kathleen, Aug. 9; TBD, Aug. 15; and The Fairlanes, Aug. 16.

Lowertown Sounds, a free concert series, is presented on Thursday nights in Mears Park, 221 5th St. E. Concerts run 6-9:30 p.m., and guests are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs. The lineup features Jaedyn James, Aug. 3; Salsa Del Soul, Aug. 10; Run Westy Run, Aug. 17; and Flamin’ Oh’s, Aug. 24. Food trucks will be onsite at each performance. For more information, visit www.lowertownsounds.com.

Summer Nights in Rice are free concerts held 5-7 p.m. on select Thursdays in Rice Park, 109 W. 4th St. The lineup features Pete Whitman Quartet, Aug. 10; Natania & Ticket to Brasil,

Aug. 24; and Jimmy “Primetime” Smith Blues Band, Sept. 7.

The City of Mendota Heights presents free concerts at 6 p.m. at Market Square Park, 720 Main St. The lineup includes Helium for Liftoff trio, Aug. 9; Matt Graunke and the Crow River Rebellion, Aug. 23; and Skippin’ Stones, Sept. 6. Revved UP performs 6:30 p.m., Aug. 11, at Mendakota Park, 2111 Dodd Rd.

The City of West St. Paul will show an outdoor movie at 8:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 25, at the West St. Paul Sports Complex, 1650 Oakdale Ave. The title was unavailable as of press time. For more information, call 651-552-4100.

Union Depot will host a drive-in movie in Lot D, located near Kellogg Boulevard, on Friday, Aug. 25. The title is “The Incredibles.” The event features the chance to win a prize basket. Concessions will be available. Tickets are $15 per vehicle. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit uniondepot.org/depotdrivein.

The Dakota County Fair takes place Aug. 7-13 at the Fairgrounds, 4008 W. 220th St., Farmington. Highlights include musical entertainment, demolition derby, midway rides, talent contests, grandstand shows, car and livestock shows, historic village and food. For more information, visit www.dakotacountyfair.org or call 651-463-8818.

IndiaFest is held Saturday, Aug. 12. This free event features performances from Asian Indian dance groups, Indian cuisine from local restaurants, Bollywood music, cultural displays, activities and games, along with an Indian bazaar. For more information, visit www.iamn. org or call 651-321-3421.

Irish Fair of Minnesota, is held Aug. 11-13, at Harriet Island, 200 Dr. Justus Ohage Blvd. This event celebrates Irish heritage through music, dance, Gaelic sports, children’s activities, a Celtic marketplace, cultural displays and Irish food and drink. Bands performing over the weekend include Gaelic Storm, Socks in the Frying Pan, JigJam, Doolin, Screaming Orphans, Clare

Cunningham and Wild Colonial Bhoys. Real Irish Comedy Tour will also perform Friday and Saturday. Hours are 3-11 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Saturday, and 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday. Single day passes are $20, with discounts for youth and seniors. Weekend passes are $40, with discounts for youth and seniors. Free for youth under age 13. For more information, visit www.irishfair.com or call 651-645-0221.

Japanese Obon Festival is 3-9 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 20 on the grounds of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory. The event features martial arts, singing, dancing, drumming, food, lantern lighting and more. A shuttle will run from 1930 Como Ave. to the festival. The last drop off is at 10 p.m. Tickets go on sale in July and must be purchased in advance. Tickets are $5 for ages 13 and up, $3 for ages 3-12 and 65 and older. Free for children under 3. Minnesota State Fair takes place Aug. 24-Sept. 4 at the State Fairgrounds, 1265 N. Snelling Ave. The Fair showcases Minnesota’s finest in agriculture, art and industry, hundreds of concession stands, a giant Midway, Grandstand concerts, giveaways, animal and product demonstrations, parades and much more. Grandstand concerts include: The Black Keys with special guest The Velveteers, 7 p.m., Aug. 24 (from $69); The Chicks with special guest Wild Rivers, 7 p.m., Aug. 25 (from $77); Keith Urban with special guest Lindsay Ell, 7 p.m., Aug. 26 (from $52); Boyz II Men and Chaka Khan, 7 p.m., Aug. 27 (from $34); Happy Together Tour featuring The Turtles, Little Anthony, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Vogues, The Classics IV and The Cowsills, 7 p.m., Aug. 28 ($33); Brandi Carlile with special guest Wynonna Judd, 7 p.m., Aug. 29 (from $79); Yung Gravy with special guest bbno$, 7 p.m., Aug. 30 (from $29); Duran Duran with special guests Bastille and Nile Rodgers & CHIC, 7 p.m., Aug. 31 (from $77); Jonas Brothers, 7 p.m., Sept. 1 (from $77); The Current featuring The Hold Steady with special guests Bob Mould Band and Dillinger Four, 7 p.m., Sept. 2 (from $27); MSF 50th Annual Amateur Talent Contest Finals, 7:30 p.m., Sept. 3; and Blippi, 3 p.m., Sept. 4 ($16). For more information, visit www.mnstatefair. org.

Mystery on the Mississippi, 6:30 p.m., July 27, August 17 and Sept. 21. Who killed Buzz Masterson? Guests are invited to help solve the mystery aboard the Jonathan Padelford Riverboat during a 2-hour cruise. The interactive performance is set in the 1980s, so wear attire from that era. $30. The cruise departs from Harriet Island. For more information, visit parkconnection. org.

Summer Classic Block Party, 4-10 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 19 at Keg and Case Courtyard, 928 W. 7th St. The event will feature performances from Heiruspecs, Maria Isa, and the Unknown Prophets, plus DJs, a car show, food, beer and other entertainment. For more information, visit heiruspecs. com.