The last time the Great Minnesota Get-Together actually got together, in 2019, 2.1 million people visited the fairgrounds over 12 days. The following year the fair was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year the fair is on again, organizers buoyed by the big lull in new cases earlier this summer and the cessation of the state’s emergency declarations.

But as the fair prepares to open next week, COVID infection rates have been rising, spurred on by the quicker spreading delta variant and the slowdown in vaccinations. State and federal health officials are again encouraging people to wear face masks to protect themselves and others, but there are no state mandates.

The Minnesota State Fair announced this week that it recommends that visitors be vaccinated, and wear masks in indoors areas, but those safety measures will not be required.

So, the Great Minnesota Get-Together will be the Great Minnesota Gamble. The fair is gambling on the willingness of people to be responsible. People who don’t like wearing masks and are leery of vaccinations will be gambling that they’ll be able to dodge any stray viruses. Everyone will be hoping the fair doesn’t turn into one giant super-spreader event.

If it does, it will affect Minnesotans everywhere. Will fair attendees be carrying the virus back to their homes, their schools and their business places?

We shall see.