Olive Lager, Green Apple Wine Slushy, Tootsie Hop, Piña Colager and Cucumber Summer IPA – these creatively named, fun-loving beverages are among the 46 brand-new brews and specialty beverages premiering or found only at the 2022 Minnesota State Fair. They’ll be joined by 43 returning beverages found only at the Great Minnesota Get-Together. In all, the fair features 300+ brews and beverages! (Photo: Andy Berndt)
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Two New Food Vendors Announced! |
We’re adding two more food vendors to the 2022 Minnesota State Fair, bringing the total to 10 new food vendors this year!
Pickle Barrel Sirloin Tips (pictured above, left) serves steak dinners with fresh grilled steak tips, plus steak pitas (both with optional sautéed onions and green peppers and marinated mushrooms), homemade mashed potatoes and fresh brewed iced tea. Located on the northeast corner of Judson Avenue and Nelson Street
Richie’s Cheese Curd Tacos (pictured above, right) serves two varieties in a fried flour tortilla shell: Original Cheese Curd Taco (diced bratwurst, fried cheddar cheese curds, lettuce and Baja sauce) and Box Checker Cheese Curd Taco (diced chicken, bacon, fried cheddar cheese curds, lettuce and ranch sauce). Located outside the south side of the Food Building, east section
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Free Shipping on FairWear – This Week Only! |
Want to get outfitted for your day at the fair? Need a gift for the fair fan on your list? Anxious to shop NOW? StateFairWear.com is offering free shipping on orders of $25 or more through Aug. 8 only – just use the code SHIP25 at check out. Choose from tons of new styles and designs on T-shirts, sweatshirts, kids clothing, hats, crossbody bags, drinkware, novelties and more! Offer is good on sale items too! Shop now!
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Fun Prize Packs Await Winners of FAIRest Date Night Sweepstakes |
The Minnesota State Fair and Sleep Number, Grandstand Exhibit Building and Concert Series sponsor, are teaming up to offer a chance to win fun prizes. Choose concert tickets to either Live & UnZoomed 2022: REO Speedwagon & Styx with special guest Levon (Sept. 1) or Zac Brown Band: Out In The Middle Tour with special guest Robert Randolph Band (Sept. 2), plus a Sleep Number bedding package, tickets to iconic fair attractions, food and more! The sweepstakes runs now through Aug. 21. Enter today!
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Big Fair Deals in a Little Book! |
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For just $5, get 100 of the fair’s best deals in the Blue Ribbon Bargain Book. Coupons are worth at least 30 percent off a vast variety of things to eat, drink, buy and do and are valid all 12 days of the fair. Use just one or two coupons and you’ve covered the cost of the book!
Here’s a sampling of some of the deals:
- $8 off one $25 sheet of 28 ride & game tickets for Mighty Midway and/or Kidway
- $3 off one Official 2022 Minnesota State Fair Commemorative Art Poster wherever posters are sold at the fair (regularly $10)
- $2 off one slice of Green Mill pizza (regularly $5) at Green Mill
- $2 off one cookie dough on-a-stick (regularly $6-$7) at Kora's Cookie Dough
- $5 off any one $15 henna tattoo design at Sole Shine Henna Body Art
- $3 off one pork chop or chicken breast on-a-stick (regularly $9) at Ragin Cajun
- $2.50 off one chocolate or vanilla malt (regularly $7) at Al's Subs & Malt Shop
- $7.95 for one handmade ring (regularly $19.95) at Otter Creations
Books are also available for $5 at the fair at State FairWear Gift Shops and State Fair Blue Ribbon Bargain Book and State Fair Poster Carts. Books purchased at the fair support the mission of the Minnesota State Fair Foundation.
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Take Note of Updated Fair Hours in 2022 |
These last two years have given us the opportunity to evaluate our entire operation and determine how best to improve the fair experience for our guests, staff, vendors and all who work to present the Great Minnesota Get-Together. With this in mind, the fairgrounds hours have been updated for 2022.
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Fairgrounds Admission (gates are open to enter the fair):
- 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Labor Day
- Fairgrounds Hours
- 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.; 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Labor Day
- Online Ticket Sales Fair Time
- 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Labor Day
- Gate Ticket Sales Fair Time
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Tickets will be sold at the gates during the Fairgrounds Admission times, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Labor Day
In addition, please note that barns hours vary, and some barns will close early for the safety of guests, animals and exhibitors on select days when animals are leaving the fair and we are preparing for the arrival of new animals. Make sure to visit the animals early, especially on Aug. 28, Sept. 1 and 5!
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Joyful World Mural Park Returns in 2022 with Four New Artists
Imagination and joy come to life as four local artists will paint large-scale artworks that reflect the world they want to live in. Throughout the fair’s 12 days, artists will be on-site creating their murals on a rotating basis in the park east of the Grandstand Ramp and south of the Grandstand.
This year’s Joyful World Mural Park artists:
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Suyao Tian is an artist, designer, independent curator, adjunct faculty at Minneapolis College of Art and Design and owner of Viewpoint Gallery.
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Noah Lawrence-Holder is a black, nonbinary artist whose work centers around racial justice, Afro-futurism, intersectionality and gender identity.
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Danielle Clifford is an illustrator, hand-letterer, painter and designer who mostly works digitally, or with watercolor, acrylic or gouache paints for smaller-scale works but loves working on large murals.
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Wes Winship is an Asian American muralist, fine artist, printmaker with roots in graffiti and street art, and co-founder of Burlesque of North America, Chroma Zone Mural & Arts Festival, and the graffiti magazine LSD.
While you catch the four murals in progress, meander through a display of the 12 murals that were created at last year’s State Fair. Joyful World Mural Park is produced in partnership with Forecast Public Art.
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Now Is the Time to Save on Tickets and
Rides & Games
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Buy pre-fair discount admission tickets and SAVE up to $3 each. Tickets are good for any one day of the 2022 fair! Plus, pre-fair ride & game tickets are $15 for a sheet of 20, a savings of up to $5. (Quick tip: These make great gifts for anyone with something to celebrate this summer. We even have a printable greeting card to accompany your gift!)
Get your pre-fair discounts:
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Online through 9 p.m. Aug. 24. Print-at-home/mobile option available with no additional fees! (If you’d like your tickets mailed to you, please order by 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11.)
- By phone through 7 p.m. Aug. 24. Call Etix at 1-800-514-3849. Choose the print-at-home/mobile option to save on handling fees. (If you’d like your tickets mailed to you, please order by 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11.)
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At the State Fairgrounds Ticket Office through Aug. 24
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In the Twin Cities, at the customer service centers of participating Cub stores through Aug. 24 (while supplies last)
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Many locations in greater Minnesota and Hudson, Wis., through Aug. 24 (while supplies last)
Photo by Kaylen Larson, Street Factory Media
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Get Free Admission to the Fair When You Volunteer! |
Volunteers are critical to the Great Minnesota Get-Together! These essential folks are what make many of our exhibits memorable and engaging. Can you pitch in? Absolutely! No expertise required - just a willingness to help your fellow fair fans make the most of their day! Most shifts are two to three hours, and we'll show you what to do. Each volunteer receives a FREE admission ticket to the fair!
Here are some of the great opportunities available:
Alphabet Forest: At this favorite destination for families and children, help with photo opportunities, alphabet games and easy crafts.
The Common Table: Minnesota Eats: Introducing Minnesotans to the idea of local, sustainable food, this uniquely designed destination in the Agriculture Horticulture Building needs volunteers to help visitors try the interactive exhibits.
EquiMania!TM: At this award-winning exhibit in the Horse Barn, visitors take photos on a model horse, wrap a model horse’s leg and try a variety of easy activities to learn more about horses. Equine knowledge is not required. Volunteers receive a free T-shirt.
Kemps Little Farm Hands: Designed for kids ages 3-10, this pint-size mock farm experience lets the little ones plant seeds and feed pretend animals as they learn where their food comes from. Volunteers help them along the way. Free T-shirt too!
Math On-A-Stick: This exhibit is a welcoming space where kids and grown-ups can explore fun math concepts. Volunteers help visitors sort, count, arrange and match with reptile-shaped tiles, colored eggs and more.
Sign up solo or with friends, family, co-workers or members of a group you're a part of! Thanks for pitching in to make this Great Minnesota Get-Together even greater!
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Is Your Group Looking for Fundraising Opportunities? |
The State Fair offers a variety of ways community organizations, teams, schools, churches and other groups can raise funds by helping with sanitation, parking lots, ticket taking, barn clean-up and other much-needed tasks during the fair. Depending on group availability and open opportunities, groups can work half of a day, a full day, several days or all 12 days of the fair. We will work with your group to find a good fit!
We also count on groups to help us with non-fair-time events year-round. If you’re part of a group of at least 10 (25+ is preferred), who are age 16+, and are interested in raising funds by helping out at the fairgrounds, visit Fundraising Opportunities on our website for more information.
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Fun Fair Jobs Make Fair Fun Possible! |
We’re looking for lots of fun people! If you or someone you know is interested in working at the fair, this is the perfect chance to earn some extra cash in just 12 days!
Stop by the Employment Center! If you’re interested in working for the fair, you can save some time in the process by registering online before coming to the Employment Center to be screened for a possible referral to a current opening. If you are unable to register online, you can register at the Employment Center when you visit us.
We look forward to having you join our team!
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Thursday, Aug. 25, 5:30 p.m.
$79 (general admission pit); $62, $53, $36 (reserved floor and mainstand)
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Friday, Aug. 26, 7 p.m.
$51, $41, $34 (all reserved seating)
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Saturday, Aug. 27, 7 p.m.
$37, $27 (all reserved seating)
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Sunday, Aug. 28, 7 p.m.
Obstructed view seats available
$84, $59, $49, $39 (all reserved seating)
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Monday, Aug. 29, 7 p.m.
$50, $37 (all reserved seating)
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Tuesday, Aug. 30, 7 p.m.
$94, $79, $59, $39 (all reserved seating)
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Wednesday, Aug. 31, 7 p.m.
$106, $96 & $75 (all seats reserved)
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Thursday, Sept. 1, 7 p.m.
Obstructed view seats available
$51, $41 (all reserved seating)
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Friday, Sept. 2, 7 p.m.
Obstructed view seats available
$194 Golden Circle, $106, $96, $75 (all reserved seating)
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Saturday, Sept. 3, 7 p.m.
$60, $51, $34 (all reserved seating)
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Sunday, Sept. 4, 7:30 p.m.
FREE! No ticket required!
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Monday, Sept. 5, 4 p.m.
$37, $27 (all reserved seating)
Experience your favorite Disney princess songs performed live by Broadway stars!
The cast will feature Susan Egan, Isabelle McCalla, Anneliese van der Pol, Syndee Winters, Benjamin Rauhala and Adam J. Levy!
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Grandstand tickets are on sale now online at Etix or by calling 800-514-3849.
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Commemorative Art Poster Radiates Fair Joy |
Minneapolis artist Leslie Barlow unveiled the Minnesota State Fair’s 2022 Official Commemorative Art on June 9 at the North End Event Center. “The fair often feels otherworldly, especially near the midway, with all the sounds, laughter, bright lights and activity. I wanted my work to represent that,” Barlow says of her vibrant oil painting.
Posters are on sale now, along with other merchandise featuring the artwork, at StateFairWear.com, or stop by State FairWear Gift Shops and Bargain Book and State Fair Poster Carts when you’re at the fair. Limited-edition, signed prints are also available. The 3-foot-by-4-foot original painting will be on display at the Fine Arts Center during the fair. Sale proceeds support the Minnesota State Fair Foundation 501(c)(3) mission to preserve and improve State Fair buildings, fairgrounds and educational programs.
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The Fair Is Now on TikTok! |
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Yep! All the bright lights, energizing sounds, adorable animals, scrumptious food you can almost smell through your phone and so much more are coming to TikTok! Follow along and don’t miss the fun on @mnstatefair. And if you post about your love of the fair or your visit to the get-together, don’t forget to tag us!
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There's Still (A Little) Time to Enter a State Fair Competition |
Deadlines are fast approaching! If you haven't registered to enter a State Fair competition, it's not too late, but you'll have to hurry! Student school projects and artwork, baked goods, craft items and handwork of all sorts - we have a category for almost everyone and almost anything! It’s free and easy to enter – check out the competition information on our website for details on how to enter, competition rules and more. Questions? Call our competition department at 651-288-4417 or email competition@mnstatefair.org. Good luck!
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Use These Links to Get More Need-to-Know State Fair News |
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Get in the State Fair Music Mood! |
Dedicated exclusively to all things State Fair, the only Minnesota State Fair radio station returns to the iHeartRadio app.
The State Fair is Minnesota’s largest music festival, so the playlist is vast and varied. You'll hear songs by this and previous years' Grandstand artists, plus bands playing on the fair's free stages, including the Leinie Lodge Bandshell. Sprinkled in between the music, listen for interviews and fun facts.
To tune in, download the iHeartRadio app and search for "Minnesota State Fair Radio" on your phone, laptop or tablet - or go to 101.3 HD3 on your radio. It's on 24/7, so you can get your fair fix anytime!
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Fairgrounds Event Spotlight:
Minnesota 4-H State Dog Show
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Top 4-H members and their champion dogs travel from across Minnesota to the State Fairgrounds for two days of competition. In order to qualify for the state show, 4-H’ers must first earn a blue ribbon at their county fair. Events are held in agility, obedience, showmanship and rally. The Minnesota 4-H State Dog Show is Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 24 and 25, in the 4-H Building. Spectators are welcome, and admission is free! For more information about this fun family event, visit the Minnesota 4-H Dog Show webpage.
(Photo credit: Kathleen Riley Photography)
Coming to the Fairgrounds
August
- North Central Reining Horse Association Futurity & Derby Show: Aug. 4-7
- Minnesota State Fair: Aug. 25-Sept. 5
September
- Ramsey County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event: Sept. 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, 30-Oct. 1
- Minnesota 4-H State Horse Show: Sept. 16-19
- Twin City Model Railroad Museum Hobby Show & Sale: Sept. 17
- Saint Paul Citywide Drop-Off Clean-Up Event: Sept. 17
- Western Saddle Club Association Championship Horse Show: Sept. 22-26
- Munchkin Markets Children's Consignment Sale: Sept. 23-25
- Minnesota 4-H State Dog Show: Sept. 24-25
- Twin Cities Arts & Crafts 20th Century Design Show & Sale: Sept. 24-25
- Minnesota Mineral Club’s Rock, Mineral & Gem Show: Sept. 24-25
- Minnesota Arabian Horse Breeders Minnesota Fall Festival: Sept. 30-Oct. 2
October
- Antique Spectacular Show: Oct. 1-2
- Roadsters Swap Meet: Oct. 2
- Minnesota Harvest Horse Show: Oct. 4-9
- Twin Cities Oktoberfest: Oct. 7-8
- Twin Cities Book Festival: Oct. 15
- Beef Expo: Oct. 20-23
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Hey! Hay! Who’s ready for a get-together?! It’s just 22 days away!
(Photo by Caleb Leto, Street Factory Media)
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