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Tim Nelson
St. Paul

State Fair unveils North End expansion plans

Expanding the State Fair's north end
The Minnesota State Fair unveiled plans for a major expansion to the fair's north end. This artist rendering depicts the view from the ground.
Courtesy Minnesota State Fair

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The State Fair unveiled the first glimpse of its next big expansion plan on Thursday. The architects that created the West End Market for the Fair in 2014 showed how they would make over the north end of the fairgrounds.

The project includes a new exhibit hall, a more intimate amphitheater and some changes to favorites like the Giant Sing Along and the Pet Center.

The plan for the revamped North End harkens back to the Fair's farming roots.

Bird's eye view of expansion plans
An artist rendering depicts a bird's eye view of plans to expand the north end of the Minnesota State Fair.
Courtesy Minnesota State Fair

"More and more people now are asking about where their food comes from and how is it processed, and making all of these connections that I think at least a couple generations of people didn't care much about at all," said Jerry Hammer, the fair's general manager.

However, Fair officials stress that this plan is still a concept.

They don't have a budget done, money in hand or a timeline, but say the project could approach the size of the $18 million West End expansion.

To hear more on the expansion plans, use the audio player above.