State Fair

The 2024 Minnesota State Fair runs Aug. 22 to Sept. 2. For all of the events at the MPR booth and Dan Patch Park, go to mpr.org/statefair.

August 21, 2019 10:44 AM

Here are the least crowded days to go to the State Fair, according to data

Based on attendance data from the Minnesota State Fair, your best day to avoid the crowds and long lines is the first day on Thursday. Check out the attendance data for the fair since 2012.

by Matt Mikus

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August 20, 2019 2:10 PM

A fair challenge: Preventing spread of animal diseases

As farm animals from across Minnesota head to the State Fair, the Board of Animal Health is asking everyone to help limit the spread of disease.

by John Enger

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August 18, 2019 7:05 PM

Reinventing the wheel: As State Fair nears, giant ride rises again

All told, the Ferris wheel known as the Great Big Wheel weighs about 400,000 pounds. It takes 13 semis to bring in all of the pieces, and a 200-ton crane to put them all together.

by Marcheta Fornoff

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July 17, 2019 11:26 AM

Newest State Fair treat: An air-conditioned building

The $16 million project features a huge exhibit hall, a gallery and a 24-foot “Corn Fairstalk” highlighting the state’s corn farming industry. It will be the largest climate-controlled space on the fairgrounds.

by Tim Nelson and Sophia Sura

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July 13, 2019 11:23 AM

State Fair

The 2024 Minnesota State Fair runs Aug. 22 to Sept. 2. For all of the events at the MPR booth and Dan Patch Park, go to mpr.org/statefair.

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July 12, 2019 11:46 AM

State Fair vendor won't use syringes in doughnut treat

The plastic syringes were meant to hold fillings consumers could inject into doughnut holes at this year's fair. After getting pushback over the waste it would cause, the vendor has dropped the syringe plan.

by MPR News Staff

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June 18, 2019 6:40 AM

Photos: Here's all the new food you can eat at the State Fair this year

It's time to start planning how you'll eat your way through the Great Minnesota Get-Together. The new lineup includes waffles with warm Reese's chocolate peanut butter cups, cheesy Sriracha funnel cake bites and battered duck wings.

by Tim Nelson

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September 5, 2018 4:11 PM

State Fair's response to another record year? Get bigger

The Minnesota State Fair easily passed the 2 million visitor mark this year and fair officials say there's plenty of room for more. The fair breaks ground on yet another expansion in October.

by Tim Nelson

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September 2, 2018 4:55 PM

Minnesota State Fair sets all-time daily attendance record Saturday

Fair officials announced Sunday that 270,426 people passed through the gates on Saturday, beating the previous single-day attendance record — set in 2016 — by 10,000 people.

by Nina Moini

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September 1, 2018 4:05 PM

New chief leading Minnesota State Fair police force

Art Blakey retired last year after 37 years as the chief of the fair's police force; he passed away earlier this summer. Blakey's one-time deputy, Paul Paulos, has now succeeded him.

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