While John and Jan Stinchfield were walking around the Minnesota State Fair 21 years ago, Jan got a craving for watermelon, but they couldn't find any. So they decided they would sell it themselves.

Now the Edina couple is getting ready for their 20th year selling watermelon and other fruit at the state fair.

They try to keep things interesting, so this year they are introducing a new product: chocolate-covered watermelon on a stick.

"You have to look for something that isn't here and that people would like, and in Minnesota it helps if it's on a stick," John Stinchfield said.

When the Stinchfield's first approached the fair board with their proposal to sell watermelon they were turned down. The boardmembers were concerned bees would be drawn to the rinds.

The couple didn't give up, however. Instead they talked to people at the University of Minnesota, who suggested they wipe everything down with bleach, which gives off a scent bees don't like. They also proposed a compost site outside the booth for watermelon rinds. The fair board had 2,200 applications for food booths the year the Stinchfield's applied, and they got in.

After five years with a temporary stick stand John built in his Edina driveway, they built a permanent stand, which sits like an island among the sea of greasy fair food.

Despite the popularity of the fruit, the fair board was skeptical when the Stinchfield's proposed a veggie platter.

"They said it would never sell," John Stinchfield said.

It took three years to get the veggie platter approved, but eventually it was. It is still on their menu today.

3,000 watermelons

The Stinchfield's stand, Andres Watermelon, is named after their son and is located at Underwood Street and Carnes Avenue, next to Epiphany Diner. The fair runs Aug. 27 through Sept. 7.

Andres Watermelon stand features seats decorated as watermelon wedges, cashiers who don watermelon shaped hats and an upside down sign to grab the attention of people passing by.

Since millions of people attend the fair, the Stinchfield's try anything they can to get people to try their product. They have to compete with 220 other food vendors.

"Each person goes to the fair with four or five foods in mind. Your goal is to become a new product," John said.

Besides watermelon and veggies, Andres Watermelon stand also sells fruit kabobs, mixed fruit bowls and drinks.

The Stinchfield's also employ people to stand on the sidewalk and hand out coupons. In the past they have displayed giant watermelons and carved melons to grab people's attention.

During the course of the fair, the Stinchfields go through 3,000 watermelons, most of which are grown in Kellogg, Minn. Occasionally they run out of watermelons during the day, and have to bring more in on a push cart since cars aren't allowed on the fairgrounds during the day.

Robert Wilson, John and Jan's nephew, helps oversee the 30 or so employees that work the stand during the 12 busy days.

"It can get very stressful. The lines really never stop," Wilson said.

The sun more than the heat affects sales, John said. After dark, people want something hot and sweet, so they introduced chocolate-covered fruit to keep sales going at night.

The Stinchfield's used to sell their watermelon at several state fairs, including Wisconsin, Texas and Oklahoma. Now semi-retired, they just do the Minnesota State Fair.

Part of the reason they keep coming to the Great Minnesota Get-Together is to see old friends. Both John and Jan grew up in St. Paul and the fair is often the only time they see some people. The fair is hard work, they said, and they only get an hour or two of sleep a night, but they want to be at the stand as much as they can so they don't miss old friends who stop by.

"I look forward to it," Jan said. "I'd rather do this than anything else."

And even though they are deluged with watermelons during the fair, Jan has not lost her taste for the fruit.

After the fair, they take a much needed rest and usually go on a cruise.

"It's a grind," Jan said.

The couple always likes to try new things. This year it is chocolate-covered watermelon. Next year they would like to display square watermelons from China and Japan. But they're only willing to go so far.

"Deep fried watermelon is not coming next," John said.

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