Want a sure way to make State Fair fans jolly?! Stuff their stockings with admission tickets - on sale now at the pre-fair discount price of just $11! Choose the free print-at-home option and you can check off everyone on your list with one click! (Or select the "mail" option and order by Dec. 11 to ensure delivery by Dec. 22.)

 

Here's a free print-at-home holiday greeting card to accompany your gift!

Think Summer Concert Fun!         

 

Give the gift of concert tickets or plan a night out with friends as a gift to yourself! Tickets are on sale now to the opening night of the 2018 Grandstand Concert Series:

 

Niall Horan: Flicker World Tour 2018 with special guest Maren Morris

7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23

$59, $49 (all reserved seating)

 

To buy tickets:

• Go online at etix.com
• Or call (800) 514-3849

Watch for more Grandstand concert announcements in the coming months!

Honor Friends or Family at the Fairgrounds         

 

What can you give people who have everything? How about a personalized recognition brick or bench - their own unique place to visit when they come to the State Fair?! Each brick and bench comes with a certificate to share as a holiday gift (place your order by Dec. 15 to receive your certificate by Dec. 23).

 

More than 4,000 bricks and 840 benches have been added to the fairgrounds through the Minnesota State Fair Foundation! For details, call (651) 288-4325, email [email protected], or click here.

Make State Fair Fans Into Friends        

For the State Fair fans on your
list, how about giving them a membership to the Friends of the Fair program of the Minnesota State Fair Foundation?

 

For as little as $25, membership benefits include a Blue Ribbon Bargain Book of coupons, discount at State FairWear Gift Shops, an invitation to the J.V. Bailey House during the fair, the State Fair annual pin, and a Friends of the Fair ribbon. Benefits at higher membership levels include State Fair admission tickets, access to Friends of the Fair Fan Club Seating for any one 2018 Grandstand show, and more!

 

This membership program supports the nonprofit Foundation's mission to preserve and improve Minnesota State Fair buildings, grounds and educational programs.

 

More information on how to join Friends of the Fair 

It's not too late to reserve the History & Heritage Center for your holiday party or meeting. The stunningly unique ambience is the ideal setting for a fun, casual gathering or a more formal affair. So much more than just an event space, the center will enthrall your guests with State Fair stories that come to life in exhibits throughout the venue.

 

We offer great rates, free parking, friendly and professional staff, a convenient location easily accessible from anywhere in the Twin Cities, and an affordable a la carte menu of rental equipment and catering services. For more information, call (651) 288-4400 or email [email protected]. Let's start planning!

This blueberry muffin recipe by prolific baking ribbon winner Marjorie Johnson was printed in "Minnesota State Fair: Winning Recipes From Minnesota's Greatest Cooks," 1994.

The holidays are all about food, and we have plenty of the best award-winning recipes on our Pinterest board  "Blue Ribbon Recipes & Tips" - State Fair Meatballs, Dried Cherry Chutney,  Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread, State Fair Ham Loaf, Honey Caramel Corn, Maple Twist Coffee Cake, Holiday Sugar Cookies & Festive Cookie Icing, and Gluten-Free Chocolate Fudge Cake, just to name a few! Here's to a blue ribbon bon appétit!    

Right before the holidays - forget calm, go horse crazy at the Horse Crazy Holiday Market! This equine-themed marketplace features more than 100 hand-picked vendors and artisans selling witty, unique goods, gifts and services for horse lovers
and those who love horse lovers.
New attractions at this 5th annual event include a fashion show, a stick horse show and Corgi races. Plus don't miss mini horses, donkeys, speakers throughout the weekend and Santa,
of course!

 

Stop by the Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. Admission is $5 with
a portion supporting Horse Crazy Market's nonprofit partners.

Supporting the future of the Great Minnesota Get-Together doesn't get any easier! When you do your online shopping, start at the AmazonSmile website, and Amazon donates 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the nonprofit Minnesota State Fair Foundation.

 

AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know - same selection of millions of products, same prices, same service, and you can use your same Amazon account. To learn more, visit smile.amazon.com, and be sure to search for and select the Minnesota State Fair Foundation as the nonprofit you choose to receive 0.5% of your eligible purchases.

 

The Minnesota State Fair Foundation is the nonprofit organization that raises funds to preserve and improve State Fair buildings, grounds and educational programs. Program focus areas include Agriculture Education, Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, and History & Heritage.