Culture of Minnesota

The culture of Minnesota is a subculture of the United States with influences from Scandinavian Americans, Irish Americans, German Americans, Native Americans, Polish Americans and numerous other immigrant groups. They work in the context of the cold agricultural and mining state that has developed new high-tech industries (such as computers and medicine) that have brought affluence and a sense of distinctiveness.

Stereotypical Minnesotan traits include manners known as Minnesota nice with very strong family ties and a sense of community exclusive to those with shared beliefs. Potlucks, usually with a variety of tater tots, are popular at community functions, especially church activities. Movies such as Fargo, Grumpy Old Men, Drop Dead Gorgeous, the television series Fargo (loosely inspired by the film), the radio show A Prairie Home Companion, and the book How to Talk Minnesotan describe Minnesotan culture, speech, and mannerisms.

The Minnesota State Fair, advertised as The Great Minnesota Get-Together, is an icon of state culture. In a state of 5.3 million people, there were nearly 1.7 million visitors to the fair in 2006. The fair covers the variety of life in Minnesota, including fine art, science, agriculture, food preparation, 4-H displays, music, the midway, and corporate merchandising. It is known for its displays of seed art, butter sculptures of dairy princesses, and the birthing barn. On a smaller scale, these attractions are also offered at the state's many county fairs.

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