Los Angeles woman flies home to join dad for his 75th year at the Minnesota State Fair

One woman flew home to spend a few magical moments at the Great Minnesota Get-Together, timing her visit for one of the fair's last few days.

Emily Schmidt lives in Los Angeles, but surprised her father, Larry Schmidt, 85, at his St. Louis Park home on Saturday morning. The two hadn't seen each other since March.

To Emily, every penny of that ticket to take her dad to the fair was worth it.

"I was surprised," Larry told WCCO. "I had no idea. I see her standing there and I'm like, 'What's this all about?'"

"I'm excited to spend the day together; it's so much fun," Emily said.

This year marks Larry's 75th attending the Great Minnesota Get-Together.

"They add new things, and all of that, but it was still the same big excitement, big crowds," Larry said.

"The fair has always been about family. We have cousins that show cows," Emily added.

For the Schmidts, that family tradition — cousins, cows, and 75 years of fair days — is what makes the little things in life worth celebrating.