Like so many aspects of our life in 2020 under the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the pleasures Minnesotans derive that they have missed out on is the State Fair, or as the locals call it, The Great Minnesota Get-Together because almost two million people attend the fair each year.

While the fair isn’t happening this year, steps are being taken to connect Minnesotans virtually with the fair, which would have been in full swing with numerous events and attractions going on each day.

Today would have been the Governor’s Fire Prevention Day at the Fair, which teaches young and old about fire-safe behavior, fire prevention, safe escape from a fire and technological improvements in burn treatment and firefighting equipment.

While the fair isn’t taking place, those interested can take a remote stroll through the “Virtual Hot Zone” – learning about fire safety with exhibits from the State Fire Marshal Division, National Fire Sprinkler Association, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Minnesota Fallen
Firefighters Memorial Association, the Minnesota International Association of Arson Investigators, the Fire Marshal Association of Minnesota, Heart Cert, American Red Cross, Hennepin Healthcare Burn Center, Minnesota Fire Exploring Association, Regions Hospital Burn Center, RESCUPAX, Minnesota FAIR Plan, North Dakota Training Academy and the St. Paul Fire Department.

 To take the Virtual Hot Zone Tour, click on the following link: http://governorsfirepreventionday.org/wp-content/uploads/articulate_uploads/governors-fire-prevention-day-virtual-learning-tour-2020-raw-ZBCjwNfT/index.html#/. It may not be the same as the real thing, but, in 2020, not much has been normal and we have all been to adapt and change to the “new normal.”