Education Minnesota has established an online option for creating personalized photo calendars normally sold at its State Fair booth inside the Education Building.

Minnesotans can download the Microsoft Word document from the union's website and add their own photos before printing. The calendars are 8.5 by 11 inches. 

Education Minnesota says it usually makes more than 15,000 calendars during the state fair each year. The tradition began around 20 years ago, using Polaroid instant cameras and hot glue before upgrading to modern photobooth software and color laser printers. 

“Families from all over Minnesota come to our fair booth every year and tell us that they have a tradition that goes back 5, 10, even 20 years of making a photo calendar,” said Denise Specht, president of Education Minnesota.

“Parents have told us they can see their children grow up in the calendars back home. We wish educators could be there for them at the fair this year, but we’ve done the next best thing to keep the tradition going.”

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