Minnesota State Fair (Saint Paul, MN)

The kids are about to head back to school and the days are getting shorter. This can only mean one thing…

It is Minnesota State Fair time!

I visited the State Fair this past weekend with family, and oh boy, did we had an amazing time!! Come along as I share with you all about our experience. There is a lot to share so this blog will be a little different in that it will have lots and lots of pictures with shorter descriptions – so you SEE what the Minnesota State Fair is all about!

A Little Background History

What began in 1854 as a territorial fair to highlight agriculture and encourage farming in the region became the Minnesota State Fair in 1859, a year after Minnesota was granted statehood.

Today, often referred to as the “Great Minnesota Get-Together,” the annual Minnesota State Fair is located on 322-acres of land and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region.

The Minnesota State Fair employs nearly 80 year-round full-time staff members and approximately 150 seasonal and 1,750 fair-time staff members.

This end-of-summer tradition is held the 12 days leading up to and through Labor Day.

The State Fair’s mission is to educate and involve guests by providing a world-class showcase that is innovative, entertaining, and fun.

Parking

The fairgrounds parking lots open at 6:00 am, and the fairgrounds admission gates open at 7:00 am. The parking ticket sales are from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm (6:00 pm on Labor Day). The cost to park in the fairgrounds parking lots is $20 (cash or credit/debit) and is paid for as you enter to park. Parking in all fairgrounds lots is available on a first-come basis, and they do fill up quickly each day; however, the lots will reopen throughout the day as space becomes available. See the Minnesota State Fair website for further information about fairgrounds parking lots including accessible parking and how to access the parking lots.

You can also park and ride for free from 31 different locations, most of which are close to the fairgrounds. Buses run regularly from 8:00 am to 11:30 pm (9:30 pm on Labor Day). If the parking lots fill up, they will reopen throughout the day as space becomes available. Times may vary based on traffic and crowds. We parked at lot #37 on the University of Minnesota campus, and it worked out really well – the bus ride to the fairgrounds was less than 15 minutes.

There is also bicycle parking and motorcycle parking available beginning at 6:00 am each day of the fair.

See additional options for parking and transportation to the fairgrounds.

Admission

Minnesota State Fair admission tickets can be purchased online, by phone, or at the admission gates.

• Online: You can choose a print-at-home or mobile option. We chose the mobile option, and the tickets were very easy to purchase online and also when getting into the fair.
• Phone: Purchase your admission tickets through Etix at 800-514-3849. You can choose a print-at-home or mobile option.
• At the Admission Gates: Tickets are available at the admission gates from 7:00 am to 8:30 pm (6:30 pm on Labor Day). Discount Day rates are only available at the gate, and you can visit the Deals & Discounts page to learn more about discount days.

Once you’re admitted into the fair be sure to find the Blue Ribbon Bargain Book that features 100 coupons with huge savings on food, merchandise, and attractions valid all 12 days of the fair! Blue Ribbon Bargain Books can be purchased for just $5.00 at State FairWear Gift Shops and Bargain Book & State Fair Poster Carts (while supplies last). Books purchased during the fair support the mission of the Minnesota State Fair Foundation.

Food

I mean, come on! We all know the thing we get most excited about when it comes to the Minnesota State Fair, right?! It’s of course, the FOOD!! The food and beverage I HAVE to get every time I go to the State Fair are the Pickle Dog and the cherry Kool-Aid! They are my absolute favorites! You will also find many new foods and new beverages offered at the fair! We tried the new Cheese Curd Stuffed Pizza Pretzel from Green Mill and let me tell you, friends…this may be my new favorite! It was so cheesy and delicious. There was about a 30-minute wait in line, but it was well worth it. Give it a try!

Entertainment

From music to shows to presentations to demonstrations to exhibits and everything in between, there’s something for everyone!

Shopping

Visitors headed to the Minnesota State Fair certainly won’t find a shortage of shopping, specialty merchants, and unique artisans. From gadgets and gear to crafts and collectibles, the hundreds of vendors on the fairgrounds offer exceptional merchandise and amazing savings. Use the Fair Finder to see a complete list of all the vendors and merchandise.

Animals

Check out all the animals at the Minnesota State Fair! You will find cattle in many places including the Cattle Barn, a wide variety of horses in the Horse Barn, wooly sheep and goats in the Sheep Barn, noisy poultry in the Poultry Barn, various breeds of swine in the Oink Booth, the cutest rabbits in the Sheep & Poultry Barn, the coolest llamas and alpacas in the Horse Barn and Compeer Arena, and furry and scaly pets and critters in many locations. Be sure not to miss the CHS Miracle of Birth Center where you will find all the cutest baby animals including calves, lambs, goats, and piglets!

Old Iron Show

Reminiscent of the former Machinery Hill, the Old Iron Show gives guests an opportunity to get up-close for demonstrations and displays of beautifully restored, rare antique farm equipment. Learn about the history of the machines, their use in farm fields, the manufacturers of yesteryear, the dedicated, talented restorers in Minnesota, and best of all – marvel as the engines roar to life!

Fair Buildings

With more than 25 buildings, barns or areas, the fairgrounds provide countless opportunities to discover, explore, and learn. Stop by any of these places to explore new experiences! Some of my favorites are the 4-H Building, Agriculture Horticulture Building, Education Building, Fine Arts Center, West End Market, and of course the Grandstand Building (shopping and concerts – what could be better!).

Mighty Midways and Kidway

The Mighty Midway and Kidway feature rides, games, food concessions, and endless fun!

New for 2023! When you purchase ride and game tickets, they will be loaded onto a Fun Card as the Midway no longer uses paper ride and game tickets. Each ride and attraction require tickets on your Fun Card, and you can scan your Fun Card at any of the rides and games at the Midway or Kidway.

Ticket prices are:

• $1 for an individual ticket
• $30 for 33 tickets
• $60 for 70 tickets

New Attractions

Be sure to check out the more than 25 new attractions at the Minnesota State Fair this year! Some of the new attractions include:

• Sweet & Selfie Experience: Strike a pose and take a selfie by giant donuts, cookies, a Jelly Belly mosaic, and a candy mountain. We had so much fun in this area – taking pictures and checking out the history of our favorite sweets!
• Can Can Wonderland Mini Golf On-A-Stick: Can Can Wonderland brings you a clever nine-hole course made up entirely of famous State Fair landmarks – the Space Tower, Haunted House, DNR Park, Giant Slide and Ferris wheel, plus there’s a Hole-stein, fun fair food structures and more!
• Five New Stops on the History Walking Tour: A two-mile, 12-stop self-guided exploration of some of the Minnesota State Fair’s most historically significant spots, introduces five new additions to the tour. The additions include the Bandshell, Farm Boys’ (and Girls’) Encampment, Fairborne Mascot, Judging Arena (Compeer), and the Parade.
• Oink Booth – A New Look: Located in the Robert A. Christensen Pavilion, the newly constructed Oink Booth was designed to reflect a real modern-day pig barn and has expanded with more educational games and interactive activities about pigs in Minnesota. The Oink Booth favorites including the famous pig ear headbands, the sow and piglets exhibit, and the ever-popular largest boar will continue to be a part of the exhibit. The piglets were so adorable – only eight days old and so tiny!

There are also new attractions on specific days of the fair such as the Naturalization Ceremonies & Oaths of Allegiance on August 28th and 30th, Theater Day at Dan Patch Park: Madagascar – A Musical Adventure JR. on August 30th, and Pan-Latino Day at Dan Patch Park on September 2nd. There are so many new things to see and do!

I hope you get a chance to visit the “Great Minnesota Get-Together” this year! Those of us in Minnesota are pretty proud of this tradition and love visiting it each year! Enjoy!