FALCON HEIGHTS, Minnesota — It’s been a year since the Great Minnesota Get-Together event.
There was a state fair on Sunday attendance registration: more than 256,000 people passed through the gates. That is about 10,000 people more than the previous Sunday record.
Even with all those people, there were no major concerns about safety.
Outside the fairgrounds, a group of local residents who volunteer to walk the streets each year to help people organized a potluck in honor of the Ujamaa Community Ambassadors.
“We’ve learned a lot from them,” said Jennifer Victor-Larsen, a neighbor. “They help us stay calm. They help people stay calm. They use humor, they use real authenticity.”
The ambassadors were present at the fair every evening, ready to increase pressure and defuse the situation, especially among young people.
“Even if nothing happens, we still let them know we’re there,” said Randy Freeman, one of the ambassadors.
Cindy Mitsch, a neighbor, says the ambassadors lower the temperature when tempers flare.
“They talk to these kids,” she said. “They know these kids. Most of the ambassadors work with kids in high schools, in education, in recreation centers.”
The ambassadors have now worked with the same group of neighborhood volunteers three times during state fairs.
They describe each other as family.
“People are starting to see the signs, the shirts, both us and the ambassadors, and I think it feels like there’s a bigger neighborhood for a while,” Victor-Larsen said.
Inside the fair, State Fair Police Chief Ron Knafla told WCCO last month how important visible presence was for safety.
Shantel Hanson of Fridley noted that the security check went smoothly.
“I like that you see them patrolling more,” Hanson said. “You see more officers around you. It makes us feel like we’re going to have a good day.”
