State Fair Root Beer/Shaved Ice Stand a Family Affair

The Old Fashioned Root Beer and Shaved Ice stand has been a fixture at the Minnesota State Fair for more than 40 years.

And the concession stand has a Roseville connection: Kevin Elm is member of the family-owned business. Elm's regular day job is as the facility manager for the Roseville Skating Center. 

Elm said his grandfather Richard Elm first owned the stand dating back to 1969. Some years later, his grandfather turned over the business to son Richard, Kevin Elm said.

Kevin said he has helped out at the family concession stand since he was 10 years old. Even though that means he has been involved with the business for more than 25 years, Kevin said he still finds it’s exciting to be a part of the Great Minnesota Get Together.

“It (the fair) gets in your blood,” Kevin said. "It’s the buzz. It’s the people. It’s the excitement of it all.”

And the Fair visitors come to have a good time and are in a good mood, Kevin added.

The root beer and shaved ice stand is near the horse coliseum at Judson and Liggett streets.

Kevin’s wife Kim also works at the root beer stand, She said she likes the location because they get a lot of 4-H kids coming by looking for a treat.

"It's really fun," Kim said about the root beer and shaved ice stand."