11 Things You'll Remember If You Grew Up In The '80s In Minnesota
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Betsy Rathburn
Author
From past to present, Minnesota has always had a lot going for it: a fantastic music scene, amazing food, beautiful nature, and authentic people. But there was something particularly special about growing up in Minnesota in the ’80s. Some of these things can never return, but that doesn’t mean they don’t live on in the memories of those who lived them. Here are 11 things you’ll remember if you grew up in the ’80s in Minnesota.
Minnesotans who were around in 1980 will definitely remember the underdog team that went on to win the gold at the Winter Olympics under the legendary Minnesota coach Herb Brooks.
Yeah, we know other states say "goose," but we're not listening. Gray duck for life.
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Whether or not they were old enough to vote, Minnesotans remember this election because one of our own was running. Walter Mondale may not have become president, but Minnesota did him proud by being the only state that voted for him.
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These loud pants were invented in 1989 in Minnesota. Those who grew up in the 80s rocked them early on and kept on wearing them into the 90s.
Mall of America opened in 1992. That means any Minnesotan who grew up in the 80s remembers a time before this behemoth dominated the shopping scene. No Nickelodeon Universe, no aquarium - just normal shopping at normal-sized malls.
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This classic movie was a box office smash when it came out in 1984, but Minnesotans who were around then recognized locations in the movie as scenes from their own backyard. For such a quiet state known mostly for its polite people, that was exciting stuff.
Macy's has long since taken the place of Dayton's at the original Minneapolis location, but any Minnesotan who grew up in the 80s remembers shopping at that classic Minnesota department store.
The giant Paul Bunyan statue at Paul Bunyan Land in Brainerd seemed to have omnipotent powers. How else would it know every visitor's name? This theme park is still around, but it's in a different location than it was in the 80s and attendance has gone down. But Minnesotans who grew up in the 80s will always remember it for the busy, quirky park it was back then.
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Minnesotans who grew up in the 1980s will remember home-cooked meals, like a plate full of classic tater tot hotdish. This staple has been around forever, and it will never get old.
Some of Valleyfair's oldest rides, like Enterprise and Antique Cars, are gone today. But people who grew up in Minnesota in the 80s - when today's top rides like Wild Thing and Power Tower weren't around - remember them fondly.
The Twins have had their ups and downs over the years, but the 1987 World Series was one of their high points. We'll bet some Minnesotans who were around back then even remember eating from the special edition Wheaties cereal box that featured our hometown team.
Did we miss anything? Let us know your favorite memory of growing up in the 80s in Minnesota.
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