Reporting by A.J. Kaufman, Special to the St. Cloud Times
The Minnesota State Fair is showing off a new flavor at the All-You-Can-Drink Milk Stand this year.
The Dairy Goodness Bar and the All-You-Can-Drink Milk Stand celebrate more than 1,500 hard-working dairy farmers from across the state and offer dairy products — from nutritious milk to delicious dairy treats.
In addition to the classics, fairgoers can enjoy the new Flavor of the Fair for 2026: “Moo-sota Apple Pie.” This can be enjoyed as either a malt or a sundae and is only available during this year’s fair.
Inspired by a classic American dessert, it is sweet, creamy and “full of hometown pride,” per Samantha Carter, senior manager of marketing communications at Midwest Dairy.The flavor was created in honor of our nation’s 250th anniversary with apples sourced locally from Pine Tree Orchard in White Bear Lake.
The Dairy Goodness Bar at the Minnesota State Fair
On average, the Dairy Goodness Bar has served more than 156,000 ice cream treats — including 70,000 malts — throughout the fair.
Across the All-You-Can-Drink Milk Stand and the Dairy Goodness Bar, about 500 people come together to help bring dairy to life at the fair. This facility is staffed primarily by dairy farm families and other dairy supporters who volunteer their time to showcase their products and answer questions.
“Many have been part of this tradition for years, returning because they value the opportunity to support Minnesota’s dairy community, connect with fairgoers and create positive experiences around dairy,” Carter told the St. Cloud Times. “Their work is about more than serving delicious dairy favorites; it’s about celebrating the people behind dairy and helping thousands of fairgoers feel connected to Minnesota dairy.”
She said the goal of the Dairy Goodness Bar and All-You-Can-Drink Milk Stand is to share dairy offerings for fairgoers and highlight dairy farmers across the state. After all, most people live within 100 miles of a dairy farm.
“I enjoy the excitement the Fair brings and all the great food, including the delicious dairy treats,” Carter said. “I love how dairy is part of the Minnesota State Fair experience. From a cold glass of milk and an ice cream malt to Princess Kay and the iconic butter sculptures, dairy is woven into traditions generations of Minnesotans know and love.”
The Dairy Goodness Bar (corner of Judson and Underwood) and the All-You-Can-Drink Milk Stand (corner of Judson and Clough) are open from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. every day of the fair.
“The fair is a unique opportunity to connect consumers and farmers,” Carter added. “Whether someone is watching a butter sculpture take shape, grabbing a malt, or filling up a cup at the All-You-Can-Drink Milk Stand, dairy farmers are part of that experience. Some of the fair’s most recognizable traditions have deep roots in Minnesota dairy, and farmers continue to invest in keeping those traditions relevant and enjoyable for today’s consumers.”
The “Great Minnesota Get-Together”— the largest state fair in the country by average daily attendance —begins its 12-day run starting Thursday, Aug. 27 and goes through Labor Day.
This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times.
Related: A sweet tooth’s guide to the 2026 Minnesota State Fair
