Information about http://www.mnstatefair.org/2008_pdf/AboutTheMNStateFair.pdf
Minnesota State Fair …
Tags: amateur talent, birth center, carnegie hall, carnival rides, contest finals, deep fried candy bars, food concessions, grandstand concert, heritage square, high school marching band, marching band competition, miracle of birth, miranda lambert, prairie home companion, river raft, screen visuals, sky glider, sky ride, space tower, tent shows,Pages: 4
Language: english
Created: Wed Jun 11 16:29:29 2008
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Minnesota State Fair
Facts & Information
Food
More than 450 foods are available at 300 food concessions.
Deep-fried candy bars, s'mores, macaroni & cheese, walleye and pork chops are
just a handful of the 60+ foods on-a-stick available throughout the fairgrounds.
Entertainment
The Grandstand Concert Series features some of the biggest touring acts in the
country. This years headliners are Brad Paisley, The Backstreet Boys, Jonny
Lang and Buddy Guy, Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert, A Prairie Home
Companion, The Black Crowes and Toby Keith.
Over 100 acts perform at the fair's numerous free entertainment venues.
Minnesota's most talented performers compete in the Minnesota State Fair
Amateur Talent Contest Finals.
The State Fair mall parade featuring the
High School Marching Band Competition begins at 2 p.m. daily.
The "Carnegie Hall of Tent Shows" comes to the Great Minnesota Get-Together
in celebration of Minnesota's Sesquicentennial. From Lake Superior's North
Shore, Big Top Chautauqua's Old Minnesota: Song of the North Star showcases
Minnesota's rich history in story, song and large-screen visuals.
Attractions
Mighty Midway features more than 30 carnival rides and 50 games of skill.
Kidway offers 30+ carnival rides for pint-sized fair visitors.
You'll find the most extreme thrill rides at Adventure Park.
The Space Tower, Haunted House, Ye Old Mill, River Raft Ride, Sky Ride
and Sky Glider are permanent attractions and State Fair traditions.
Special Exhibits
The CHS Miracle of Birth Center is the birthplace of nearly 200
calves, lambs and piglets during the fair's 12-day run.
Heritage Square features nostalgic arts, crafts and gifts,
as well as the State Fair History Museum.
Brand new in 2008, the International Bazaar is
filled with fun and flavors from around the world.
It's a dog's life at the Pet Center where pet surgery
and agility demonstrations take place daily.
The Eco Experience is an interactive environmentally-focused
exhibit designed to educate visitors about sustainability,
green living, organics and renewable energy.
Children learn about the agricultural process at
Little Farm Hands, an interactive mock farm exhibit.
Agriculture & Competition
Livestock exhibitors vie for ribbons and cash in hundreds of competitions.
The largest juried art show in Minnesota is held at the Fine Arts Center.
Over 5,000 entries are displayed in the Creative Activities department's annual
exhibition of Minnesota's finest handicrafts, baking and canning.
Honey, flowers, giant vegetables, crop and seed art, Christmas trees, wine and
fruit are showcased in the Agriculture Horticulture Building.
History
Notable events in history that took place at the Minnesota State Fair include: the
first airplane flight in Minnesota history (1910); legendary pacer horse Dan Patch
set the world harness racing record at the Grandstand (1906); and John Phillip
Sousa composed "Minnesota March" and performed it at the fair (1927).
The first Minnesota State Fair was held in 1859.
The Minnesota State Fair has been held in its present location
(mid-way between Minneapolis and St. Paul) since 1885.
Corporate Information
The State Fair is governed by the Minnesota State Agricultural Society.
The Agricultural Society is made up of delegates from the
state's county fairs and various agri-business groups.
The Society is a financially self-supporting quasi-state agency charged
exclusively with operating the fair and maintaining the fairgrounds.
The Minnesota State Fair Foundation (501c3) is the non-profit fundraising
arm of the State Fair, which works to preserve
buildings, grounds and educational programs.
The State Fair's mission is to: educate and involve our guests by providing a
world-class showcase that is innovative, entertaining and fun.
Media
Nearly 25 local radio and television stations
broadcast live from the fairgrounds daily.
Attendance
Typically, the fair attracts approximately 1.6 million visitors each year.
A record 1,762,976 people attended the fair in 2001.
The fair's daily attendance record was set on a
Saturday in 1995 when 225,249 people visited.
Tickets & Savings
Admission:
Adults (13-64) - $11; Seniors (65 & over) - $9; Kids (5-12) - $8; Children (under
5) free; All ages pre-fair discount - $9.
Discount Days:
Thrifty Thursday: Adults and seniors - $8; Kids - $5
Senior Days: Seniors - $5
Kids Days: Kids - $5
$8 at the Gate Day: Everyone (5 and over) - $8
Hop On Transit Day: Regular and Express Bus service is discounted to $3.
Riders may request a coupon for $2 off regular gate admission.
How do we measure up?
The Minnesota State Fair is the largest 12-day event in North America, attracting
between 1.6 and 1.7 million visitors annually.
Minnesota's State Fair is the third largest event in the country and the second
largest State Fair in the country.
The Minnesota State Fairgrounds covers 320 acres.
Getting to the Fair
Free park and ride shuttles run from a variety of locations
within a short distance of the fairgrounds.
Express buses run from numerous locations throughout the Twin Cities.
Motorcycle, vehicle and bicycle parking is limited,
but available on the fairgrounds.