Are you creative or crafty and looking for something to do Saturday? The 7th annual St. Paul Craftstravaganza, an urban craft fair with 140 artists, continues until 5 p.m. Saturday at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in the Fine Arts Building and the Progress Center next door. It's free.

The Stratosphere swing ride, which has malfunctioned several times this year at the Minnesota State Fair, was shut down again Wednesday night, fair officials said. Guests were let off the ride and it was tested without riders, WCCO reported. Operators are now changing out a part as a safety precaution. Late Wednesday, it was not clear when the ride would reopen.

Canterbury Park offered its richest purse ever for a single race at the track on Saturday. The $161,000 Mystic Lake Derby was the first significant event since the horse track partnered with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. Last month, the owners of Mystic Lake Casino agreed to pay $75 million over the next decade to boost racing purses at Canterbury Park. In exchange, the racetrack will drop its longstanding push to add slot machines. Hammers Terror won the inaugural race, with jockey Lori Keith in the saddle.

The Kentucky Derby is Saturday, and yes, there is a Minnesota connection. WCCO points out that Dullahan -- right now at 8-to-1 -- is owned by Macalester grad Jerry Crawford. Look for the school’s colors and logo on Dullahan’s blanket as he leaves the barn.

At the Minnesota State Fair, the hungry masses have more than 500 food choices, but there is always a line at the Pronto Pup booths. The iconic fair staple – a hot dog, dipped in batter, fried and put on a stick – has not changed since its fair debut in 1947.

Mother nature, the economic downturn, lack of volunteers and more competition are among the challenges county fairs are facing these days. The St. Cloud Times examined financial reports from the nonprofit agricultural societies that operate county fairs in Stearns, Benton and Sherburne counties. The newspaper found Benton and Stearns most recently reported minimal operating surpluses, while Sherburne has lost thousands of dollars.

George D. McIntosh, Jr., a level-three predatory sex offender who cut his ankle GPS monitor in Faribault and disappeared Monday, turned himself in at the Le Sueur County jail early Thursday morning, Fox 9 reports. Officials had issued a warrant for the arrest. He was released from prison under supervision on Aug. 30 after serving time for two third-degree criminal sexual conduct convictions, and he had been staying with his parents in Waterville.