Since 1859, the same year Minnesota became a state, " the great Minnesota get together" (as it's known to locals) has been in existence. the fair has been held every year with only five exceptions: in 1861 and 1862 due to the Civil War and Dakota Indian Conflict, in 1893 because of scheduling conflicts with the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, in 1945 due to war-time fuel shortages, and in 1946 due to a polio epidemic. For 12 days at the end of each summer ending on Labor Day, Minnesota state fair is one of the largest in the country.