Minnesota State Fair Removes Long-Standing 'Big Pepper' Food Booth After Nearly 50 Years
The Minnesota State Fair has removed 'The Big Pepper,' a prominent food booth that had been a family-run fixture for nearly 50 years. The booth, known for its deep-fried ravioli and stuffed green peppers, was purchased by Margaret and Joe, the daughter and son-in-law of State Fair legend John Ivory, in 1979. Their son, Colin Barrett, stated that the fair denied their request to pass the business down to the next generation, a practice that was allowed for a neighboring family-owned booth, 'The Strawberry Patch.' The Big Pepper was a permanent, concrete structure that had to be demolished by the family within four weeks of notification. This removal is part of a larger trend, as the State Fair bids farewell to 11 vendors this year while introducing new ones. Barrett expressed confusion and shock, noting that the fair provided no specific reason for the denial, and there is no appeal process. 
