Opening day at the fair started off a little bumpy with a brief ride malfunction and lower attendance at the pig barn after the Swine Flu virus raised cause for concern. Day two kicks of with the Governor's Fire Prevention Day and Alan Jackson performs at the Grandstand tonight.

Although there's a small chance of severe weather in the Twin Cities this weekend, officials with the Minnesota State Fair say they are prepared for severe weather in the event something happens. Fair officials tell MPR that the fairgrounds are equipped with storm shelters and tornado sirens should any emergencies pop up.

St. Paul artist Joe Heffron beat out 50 others in a competition to design the Minnesota State Fair's 2012 Commemorative Art, which was unveiled Wednesday at the Fairgrounds. His design, which includes a rooster and flying cheese curds, captures the whimsy of the annual end-of-summer event.

After a two-year hiatus the sideshows are back at the Fair. No disrespect to the sword swallower, escape artist, fire eater, or knife thrower but the most interesting character of the bunch might be the organizer of the "World of Wonders." 83-year-old Ward Hall has been promoting human oddities for 67 years. Also Tuesday: the Stratosphere worked but the River Raft did not, chamber musicians rallied support, crop art became part of the campaign, and somebody swiped the bakery money.

You already know the standbys. Now that the list of rookies is out, it's time to start planning your gustatory attack on the state fairgrounds. For the adventurous there's bacon ice cream, camel burgers, lamb testicle fries, and poutine. Or could try one of the new salads with some hibiscus iced tea.

Reports of injury and assault at the Minnesota State Fair during its final weekend didn't hinder attendance numbers. The fair reports an increase of about 20,000 fairgoers compared to last year. More than 1.78 million trekked to the Great Minnesota Get-Together – the second all-time highest attendance and just short of an all-time record in 2009.