How much have prices changed at the Minnesota State Fair? A UST study is tracking the impacts on your wallet.
KSTP
Last updated: September 7, 2026
The University of St. Thomas has launched a study, the "On a Stick Index," to monitor price changes at the Minnesota State Fair. This initiative aims to understand the impact of inflation on common goods and services found at the fair.
- The On a Stick Index is a unique study by the University of St. Thomas designed to track the rising costs of everyday items and services encountered at the Minnesota State Fair. This project quantifies how inflationary pressures are affecting the pricing of fairground offerings. The study provides a data-driven insight into the economic realities faced by attendees, illustrating the tangible effects of inflation on discretionary spending. By focusing on the state fair, a popular and well-documented event, the index offers a relatable metric for understanding broader economic trends. The initiative aims to make the concept of inflation more accessible and understandable through its specific application to familiar fairground purchases. The findings contribute to a broader understanding of consumer economics in a specific, albeit popular, public setting.
