Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?

State Fair

The 2025 Minnesota State Fair runs Aug. 21 through Sept. 1. For all of the events at the MPR booth and Dan Patch Park, go to mpr.org/statefair.

Infrequently Asked Fair Questions: What happens at the Minnesota State Fair overnight?

Infrequently Asked Fair Questions: What happens at the Minnesota State Fair overnight?

Each day of the Minnesota State Fair, tens of thousands of people visit the fairgrounds. But what happens after they all leave? MPR News reporter Tim Nelson has been covering the fair for decades, at all hours of the day, and found the answer.
by Tim Nelson

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Infrequently Asked Fair Questions: What happens to the DNR fish after the State Fair is over?

Infrequently Asked Fair Questions: What happens to the DNR fish after the State Fair is over?

Each year the Minnesota State Fair stocks a pond full of fish at the Minnesota State Fair. But what happens to the fish after the fair is done? MPR News reporter Tim Nelson set out to reel in the answer.
by Tim Nelson

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Fair fans flock through the gates as Minnesota State Fair begins its 12-day run

Fair fans flock through the gates as Minnesota State Fair begins its 12-day run

Crowds started filling the Minnesota State Fairgrounds on Thursday. Whether they're there to exhibit livestock, catch a concert or try some of the dozens of new food and drink concoctions, hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend this year's fair.
by Tim Nelson

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Appetites: Predicting the Minnesota State Fair hits and misses

Appetites: Predicting the Minnesota State Fair hits and misses

The Minnesota State Fair is upon us, and all of that food can be daunting. So we called on Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine food writer Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl to get us prepped for what to eat — and also what to avoid.
by Tom Crann and Megan Burks

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Minnesota State Fair's new butter carver prepares to create 'dairy' good art

Minnesota State Fair's new butter carver prepares to create 'dairy' good art

As the rest of Minnesota prepares for warm summer days at the State Fair, Gerry Kulzer is preparing his parka, gloves, and carving tools. He’ll be spending the fair in a 40-degree cooler, carving a new larger-than-life sculpture every day — in butter.
by Estelle Timar-Wilcox

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
As Minnesota State Fair returns, have we seen 'peak fair'?

As Minnesota State Fair returns, have we seen 'peak fair'?

Before COVID, Minnesota State Fair attendance reached a record 2.1 million in 2019. The fair's growth had become an end-of-summer ritual. But amid concerns about COVID and public safety, can that growth resume? Or have we already experienced what might be called "peak fair"?
by Tim Nelson

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Based on the data, here are the lower traffic days to visit the State Fair

Based on the data, here are the lower traffic days to visit the State Fair

Based on the last nine years of State Fair attendance data, the first Thursday of the Great Get-Together tends to have the lowest traffic. Even though 2021 had slower traffic overall, trends for attendance data remain consistent.
by Matt Mikus

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!