Kids & Family

10 Reasons Why Woodbury Days is Better Than the State Fair

The State Fair started up Thursday; Woodbury Days begins Friday.

The Minnesota State Fair and Woodbury Days square off this weekend.

Here are 10 reasons to enjoy the local festivities rather than heading out of town for end-of-summer fun. (Thanks to fans on Woodbury Patch’s Facebook page for some of the items on this list.)

Agree? Disagree? Have other items you want to mention? Tell us in the comments section below.

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1. Local

It’s here. It’s ours. Meet your neighbors, local business owners, public safety and city officials… The 35th annual Woodbury Days is the “Talk of the Town.”

Sheryl on our Facebook page: “You see so many friends!”

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2. Food

If you enjoy some specialty item (deep-fried Oreos?) at the State Fair, you probably won’t be able to get it again until next year. If you like something at the Taste of Woodbury, you’ll be able to grab it next week.

3. Price

Admission to Woodbury Days is free. Can’t beat that.

4. Crowds

While Woodbury Days does draw thousands of people to Ojibway Park every year, it doesn’t feel as hectic as the fairgrounds.

From Jeremy on our Facebook page: “State Fair—parents hunt for kids; Woodbury Days—kids hunt for coins.”

5. Getting There

Plenty of Woodbury folks can walk to the festivities, and if nothing else you might have your own tricks for where to park (also free). The State Fair website has a page on avoiding construction; Woodbury Days will give away a free car.

6. Get Active

Woodbury Days has its own bike rides and runs, along with a sand volleyball tournament. You can get the body moving and feel less guilty at grabbing some grub or a beer. (Speaking of beer… New at Woodbury Days: Beer on Tap from Lift Bridge Brewing)

7. Volunteers

Volunteers make Woodbury Days possible. There was a time in the 1990s when it almost died for lack of volunteers.

From a blog post from Woodbury Days volunteer Kurt Shea last fall:

Being a part of this talented group of extraordinary people has taught me about the type person that I want to be in my life. It has also reminded me of the absolute good in people. Here is a group of people who freely give of their time so the rest of the community can come together and enjoy our wonderful city.

8. Local Businesses

You can see hundreds booths from area businesses, many of which help sponsor Woodbury Days.

9. Patch’n Parade

Your humble Woodbury Patch editor has the honor of once again calling the Grande Parade for the South Washington County Telecommunications Commission’s coverage.

I try to have fun with it, and I’m pleased to be joined once again this year by Alisa Rabin Bell.

10. Did We Mention Local?

See demonstrations from Woodbury students (robots) and athletes (martial arts). Check out your neighbor’s cool hot rod at the 3M car show. See the coronation of Woodbury Royalty. It’s all Woodbury at Woodbury Days.

Find 2013 Woodbury Days coverage on Patch:


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