View source for Minnesota State Fair

{{Short description|Annual event in Falcon Heights, Minnesota, U.S.}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Update|inaccurate=yes|date=September 2025}}

{{Tone|date=August 2025}}{{Infobox recurring event
| name               = Minnesota State Fair
| logo               = Minnesota State Fair logo.svg
| image              = Fairchild.JPG
| imagesize          = frameless
| caption            = The State Fair Gopher 'Fairchild' greets fairgoers.
| location           = [[Falcon Heights, Minnesota]]
| years_active       = 1859–present <br /> (excluding 1861, 1862, 1893, 1945, 1946, 2020)<ref>{{cite web |title=Minnesota State Fair Has Been Canceled For 2020 Due To COVID-19 Pandemic |url=https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2020/05/22/minnesota-state-fair-canceled-2020-coronavirus-covid19/ |website=CBS Minnesota |date=May 22, 2020 |publisher=WCCO-TV |access-date=May 22, 2020}}</ref>
| dates              = 12 days before and including [[Labor Day]]
| next = August 27 – September 7, 2026
| genre              = [[State fair]]
| attendance         = 1,940,869 (2025)<br>2,126,551 (2019, record)<ref name="attendance" />
| website            = https://www.mnstatefair.org/
}}
The '''Minnesota State Fair''' is the [[state fair]] of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Minnesota]]. Also known by its slogan, "'''The Great Minnesota Get-Together"''', it is the largest state fair in the United States by average daily attendance<ref name="attendance">{{cite web|title=Attendance|date=July 21, 2024|url=https://www.mnstatefair.org/about-the-fair/attendance/|access-date=July 21, 2024|publisher=Minnesota State Fair}}</ref> and the second-largest state fair in the United States by total attendance,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Archived copy|url=http://www.carnivalwarehouse.com/lists/2010list.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109104719/http://www.carnivalwarehouse.com/lists/2010list.pdf|archive-date=January 9, 2016|access-date=February 23, 2011}}</ref> trailing only the [[State Fair of Texas]], which generally runs twice as long as the Minnesota State Fair.<ref>{{cite web| title =Fiscal Notes, September 2003| publisher =Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts| date =September 2003| url =http://www.window.state.tx.us/comptrol/fnotes/fn0309/big.html| access-date =July 17, 2007| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20081017052942/http://www.window.state.tx.us/comptrol/fnotes/fn0309/big.html| archive-date =October 17, 2008| url-status =dead}}</ref> The state fairgrounds, adjacent the Saint Paul campus of the [[University of Minnesota]], are in [[Falcon Heights, Minnesota]], midway between the state's [[capital (political)|capital]] city of [[Saint Paul, Minnesota|Saint Paul]] and [[Minneapolis]], the largest city in Minnesota. Residents of the state and region come to the fair to be entertained, exhibit their best [[livestock]], show off their abilities in a variety of fields including [[art]] and [[cooking]], learn about new products and services, and eat many different types of [[Cuisine of Minnesota|food]]. The Minnesota State Fair was named the best state fair in the United States in both 2015 and 2025 by readers of ''[[USA Today]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015|title=Best State Fairs: 2015 10 Best Readers' Choice Travel Awards|url=https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-state-fair/|access-date=November 11, 2020|website=10Best USA Today|language=en}}</ref> 

The fair runs for twelve days from late August into early September, ending on [[Labor Day]]. Around two million people attend the fair annually.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rove.me/to/midwest/minnesota-state-fair|title=Minnesota State Fair |date=May 17, 2024 }}</ref> The highest annual attendance record is 2,126,551 people in 2019,<ref name="mnstatefair.org">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mnstatefair.org/about-the-fair/attendance/|title=Attendance|date=June 9, 2016}}</ref> with the highest daily attendance being 270,426 visitors on the second Saturday in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=Minnesota State Fair Sets 1-Day Attendance Record Saturday|date=June 9, 2016|url=https://www.mnstatefair.org/about-the-fair/attendance}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:The First Minnesota State Fair Held at Fort Snelling (second state fair overall) - DPLA - 7efcbcae09348a2bf500a14efc5410a3 (cropped).jpg|thumb|First Minnesota State Fair held at Fort Snelling in 1860]]
[[File:Souvenir Minn. State Fair 1910, Milton Dairy Co.'s Butter Exhibit front.jpg|thumb|upright|Sculptor [[John Karl Daniels]] created a life-size butter sculpture of Theodore Roosevelt in 1910.]]

[[Minnesota Territory]] first held a Territorial Fair in 1854, although the first Minnesota State Fair didn't occur until 1859, the year after statehood. 
In its early years during the 19th century, the fair was held in many different locations. Some were not far from the current site, but others were held in Greater Minnesota, including years where it was held in [[Rochester, Minnesota|Rochester]], [[Owatonna, Minnesota|Owatonna]], and [[Winona, Minnesota|Winona]]. For a time in the 1870s, the [[Twin Cities]] of [[Minneapolis]] and St. Paul held competing fairs. Minneapolis, the younger city of the pair, eventually outdid its neighbor by staging the larger fair with the help of [[William S. King]].<ref>{{cite book| last = Marling | first = Karal Ann | title = Blue Ribbon: A Social and Pictorial History of the Minnesota State Fair| publisher = [[Minnesota Historical Society]] Press| year = 1990| isbn = 978-0-87351-252-7}}</ref>

In 1884, a [[committee]] was put together by the [[Minnesota State Agricultural Society]] to select a permanent site. One site that was considered was an area around [[Minnehaha Falls]], but the final site chosen was the Ramsey County [[Poor Farm]], the fair's current site. It was a politically neutral site, being about halfway between Minneapolis and St. Paul. The fair first opened its doors there on September 7, 1885. The site was then {{convert|210|acre|ha|abbr=on}}, but now stands at {{convert|322|acre|ha|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=About the Fair |url=https://www.mnstatefair.org/about-the-fair/ |website=Minnesota State Fair |date=May 8, 2018}}</ref> The fair ran six days from 1885 to 1918. It was eight days from 1919 to 1938, ten days from 1939 to 1971 and 11 days from 1972 to 1974. It has been 12-days long since 1975.<ref>{{cite web |title=Why is the fair 12 days|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/gq-fair-12-days |website=WCCO |date=September 1, 2016}}</ref>

One of the first annual events to occur is the creation of a [[butter sculpture]]. Each year, a new [[Princess Kay of the Milky Way]] is selected to promote Minnesota's [[dairy]] industry. Part of the job involves posing for several hours in a walk-in, glass-walled refrigerator as a {{convert|90|lb|kg|adj=on}} block of butter is carved into a head with her likeness. Butter makers started sculpting their products at the fair as far back as 1898, although the head-sculpting tradition did not begin until 1964.{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}}

The main entrance to the fair from Snelling Avenue heads onto a road named [[Dan Patch]] Avenue for a [[harness racing|pacer]] [[horse]] who won every race he ran in from 1900 to 1909 when he was retired.[[File:1910postcardStateFairMN.jpg|thumb|right|1910 Minnesota State Fair postcard]]In 1898 the [[Spanish American War]] broke out. The states were requested to provide volunteers and Minnesota quickly had enough to form four Regiments.  They were initially numbered 1–4, but [[Grand Army of the Republic|GAR]] veterans felt that they should continue the numbering from the [[United States Civil War|Civil War]] and they became the 12th–15th Minnesota Infantry Regiments.  All four were mustered and organized on the State Fair Grounds.<ref>The Minnesota Volunteers,  Minnesota in the Spanish-American war and the Philippine insurrection,  Franklin F. Holbrook, M. A., Published by the Minnesota War Records Commission, Saint Paul, 1923, The Riverside Press, Saint Paul, p. 18 [https://quod.lib.umich.edu/p/philamer/ADM3963.0001.001?rgn=main;view=fulltext;q1=Philippines+--+History%2C]</ref>  Camp Ramsey on Machinery Hill was the encampment site.

One of the most significant dates in the fair's history was September 2, 1901, when then–[[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] [[Theodore Roosevelt]] was visiting and first spoke the famous phrase, "Speak softly and carry a [[big stick]]." Roosevelt became [[President of the United States|president]] 12 days later, after [[William McKinley]] was assassinated.{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} 

In 1925, the Minnesota State Fair was the site of the Norse-American Centennial celebration. During his appearance at the [[Norse-American Centennial]], President [[Calvin Coolidge]] gave recognition to the contributions of [[Scandinavian-Americans]] and noted [[Leif Erikson]] as the discoverer of America.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.naha.stolaf.edu/pubs/nas/volume33/vol33_10.htm|title=''The 1925 Norse-American Immigration Centennial and Ethnic Identity'' (April Schultz. Norwegian-American Historical Association. Volume 33: Page 267)}}</ref>

In 1967, attendance was well over a million people and the record day that year was about 197,000 visitors. By 2016, attendance neared 2&nbsp;million and the record day was about a quarter-million people.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-state-fair-on-track-to-set-attendance-record/442706653/ | newspaper = [[Minneapolis Star Tribune]] | title = Minnesota State Fair on track to set attendance record | last = Roper | first = Eric | date = September 5, 2017 | access-date = September 5, 2017 }}</ref>

2018 was another record year for the Fair. The overall attendance record of 2,046,533 was set along with an all-time single-day attendance record of 270,426 on the second Saturday.<ref name="mnstatefair.org"/>

===Cancellations===
Since 1859, the fair has run annually except for six different years. In 1861 and 1862, the fair was not held because of the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] and the [[Dakota War of 1862]]. Scheduling issues between the fair and the [[World's Columbian Exposition]] in [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], caused the 1893 fair to be cancelled. The fair was not held in 1945, as [[fuel]] was in short supply due to [[World War II]] and it was again cancelled in 1946 because of an outbreak of [[polio]].<ref name="presskit06">{{cite press release| title =Minnesota state fair 2006 press kit| publisher = Minnesota state fair| year = 2006| url = http://www.mnstatefair.org/2006_pdf/PressKit_MSF2006.pdf| access-date = August 6, 2007 }}</ref>

The fair was most recently cancelled in 2020, this time due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] with the decision announced on May 22, 2020. Fair Manager Jerry Hammer had previously stated that the 2020 fair would not be a postponed or scaled-back event; it would either run unchanged or be cancelled.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.startribune.com/decision-looms-on-whether-to-hold-state-fair-as-board-meets-friday/570658402/ | title=Decision looms on whether to hold State Fair as board meets Friday | website=[[Star Tribune]] | date=May 22, 2020 }}</ref> Of the decision to cancel, Hammer stated "this is the time of year when things really need to take off, and we can't do it. There's not time."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/minnesota-state-fair-2020-decision/89-2c4ad3d0-7996-4d15-8be8-9edc703cafb9|title = 2020 Minnesota State Fair canceled due to coronavirus|date = May 22, 2020}}</ref> Instead, a food parade featuring several well-known State Fair vendors was held on several dates in October.<ref>{{cite web|title=Food Parade 2020|work=Minnesota State Fair |date=July 22, 2020 |url=https://www.mnstatefair.org/food-parade-2020|access-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref>

To make up for 2020's cancellation, the fair management hosted its first-ever spring event entitled "Kickoff To Summer" featuring scaled-back concessions and attractions. It also served as a test to the fair's eventual return in 2021. The "Kickoff to Summer" event returned in 2022 after positive reception in 2021.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2021/05/04/kickoff-to-summer-walk-around-event-coming-to-the-fairgrounds-over-memorial-day-weekend/?adlt=strict&toWww=1&redig=78F4A6EDFF4E4FE7B6524AC265185E60 | title='Kickoff to Summer' Walk-Around Event Coming to the Fairgrounds over Memorial Day Weekend | date=May 4, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/kickoff-to-summer-at-the-fair-returns-in-2022/ar-AATSn8u?adlt=strict&toWww=1&redig=A23B619E928A4E83B9E1C90E2FF4381C | title='Kickoff to Summer at the Fair' returns in 2022 | website=[[MSN]] }}</ref>

==Attractions==
===Livestock===
A large portion of the Fairgrounds are occupied by livestock barns where various farm animals are displayed.  The animals and their owners take part in livestock shows to compete for awards.  Most of the shows take place in the [[Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum]], a large indoor arena on the fairgrounds. The Coliseum was constructed to replace the Hippodrome, which was rendered structurally unsound during its use as a Propeller Plant by the A.O. Smith Corporation during WWII and razed in 1946, and was completed for use in the 1951 fair.<ref>{{cite book|last=Speer|first=Ray P.|title=Minnesota State Fair: The History and Heritage of 100 Years|year=1964|publisher=Argus Publishing Company|pages=237, 271}}</ref>  Open class livestock competitions are held in horses, beef cattle, [[Dairy cattle showmanship|dairy cattle]], swine, sheep, dairy goats, [[llama]]s, poultry (chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, pigeons) rabbits, and stock [[dog]]s.<ref>{{cite web| title =Open Class Livestock| publisher = Minnesota State Fair| year =2007| url=http://www.mnstatefair.org/pages/livestock.html| access-date = July 17, 2007}}</ref> On August 31, 2007, a bull escaped from its handler charging several fairgoers before fatally injuring itself charging a fire hydrant. No people were seriously injured in the mishap.<ref>{{cite web| title =Bull Escapes At Minnesota State Fair| publisher =WCCO| date =August 31, 2007| url =http://wcco.com/local/local_story_243124851.html| access-date =August 31, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070929100000/http://wcco.com/local/local_story_243124851.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = September 29, 2007}}</ref>

===Food===
[[File:Cheese Curd Stand at MN State Fair.jpg|thumb|A stand selling cheese curds]]

Foods served at the annual Minnesota State Fair have traditionally included watermelon, pickles, [[baked beans]], buffalo burgers, deep-fried cheese curds, [[cotton candy]], glazed ham, Australian battered potatoes, [[chimichangas]], and homemade [[apple pie]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=sYuF8Rks3x4C Blue Ribbon: A Social and Pictorial History of the Minnesota State Fair], p5</ref> Some foods reflect Minnesota's agriculture, including [[cheese curds]], milk shakes, and [[corn dog]]s.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}

Many foods at the fair are [[deep-fried]] or come on a stick, from the classic corn dog to alligator-on-a-stick, lobster-on-a-stick, and deep-fried candy bar on a stick. New to the fair in 2006 was [[hotdish]] on a stick, a variant of a classic staple of Minnesotan cuisine. In 2007, one new food was [[spaghetti]] on a stick. 2008's new foods included two types of [[bacon]], one called "Pig Lickers", which is chocolate covered, and the other, called the "Big Fat Bacon", which is {{convert|0.25|lb|kg|1}} of maple-glazed bacon. Another staple of the state fair is "[[Sweet Martha's Cookies]]", a stand that serves fresh and warm chocolate chip cookies in buckets.<ref>{{cite news| title = new tastes, their takes| work = twincities.com| pages = 10E| publisher = St. Paul Pioneer Press| date = August 28, 2008}}</ref>

In 2018, 27 new foods were introduced to the Minnesota State Fair including Firecracker Shrimp Stuffed Avocado, Honey Cream Soda Float, Mangonada Shaved Ice, Messy Giuseppe, Nordic Waffles, Smoked Soft Serve Ice Cream, and the UpNorth Puff Pastry.<ref>https://assets.mnstatefair.org/pdf/18-new-food.pdf {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> New foods for 2019 included fried tacos on a stick, stuffed [[cabbage rolls]], feta bites, shrimp and grits [[fritters]], blueberry key lime pie, Buffalo chicken [[chimichanga]] and assorted other dessert selections.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-state-fair-reveals-31-new-foods-7-new-vendors-for-2019/510936942/?refresh=true |title = State Fair adds 31 new foods and 7 new vendors – StarTribune.com|website = [[Star Tribune]] | date=June 19, 2019 }}</ref>

===Machinery Hill/The North End===
Machinery Hill is a large area of the fairgrounds. For several decades, it held the largest annual display of [[farm equipment]] in the world, with many companies showing off [[tractor]]s, [[combine harvester|combines]], and various attachments. However, modern displays generally focus on [[car]]s, trucks, [[lawn mower]]s, hot tubs and recreational machines like [[motorbike]]s.  Farm implement dealers tend to direct their efforts to more targeted "farm shows", abandoning the State Fair to more urban or suburban types of exhibitors. Machinery Hill also contains an interactive exhibit for kids called Little Farm Hands. In this exhibit, children get to experience life on the farm from planting seeds to selling goods at the farmers market.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mnstatefair.org/entertainment/ag_exhibits/lfh.html|title=Minnesota State Fair {{!}} Little Farm Hands|website=www.mnstatefair.org|language=en|access-date=February 2, 2018}}</ref>

Machinery Hill is gradually being rebranded as "The North End". In 2019, a new main entrance gate was created in addition to the new North End Event Center, which hosts traveling events and expositions. Its 2019 inaugural event was Angry Birds Universe: The Exhibition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mnstatefair.org/new-this-year/attraction/angry-birds-universe-the-exhibition-in-the-north-end-event-center/|title=New Attraction: ANGRY BIRDS UNIVERSE: THE EXHIBITION in the North End Event Center|website=www.mnstatefair.org|language=en|access-date=August 28, 2019}}</ref>

===Shows===
[[File:PHCstage2008StateFair.JPG|thumb|''[[A Prairie Home Companion]]'', live at the grandstand in 2008]]
The State Fair hosts concerts, comedy shows, [[product demonstration]]s, the State Fair Talent Contest and other shows.

[[WCCO (AM)|WCCO]] radio host [[Al Sheehan]] was the fair's superintendent of attractions in the 1930s and 1940s, and was a liaison between the performers and the fair's board of governors.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Sheehan's Title of Mr. Show Biz of Minn. Is Well Earned|last=Weinberg|first=Jack|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|location=New York City|pages=49, 52|date=September 17, 1949|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JSEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA49|access-date=June 3, 2025|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Showman Sheehan|last=Murphy|first=Bob|date=May 20, 1951|newspaper=[[Minnesota Star Tribune|Star Tribune]]|location=Minneapolis, Minnesota|page=F1|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-showman-sheehan/173943982/}}; {{cite news|title=Sheehan (Continued from Page One)|last=Murphy|first=Bob|date=May 20, 1951|newspaper=[[Minnesota Star Tribune|Star Tribune]]|location=Minneapolis, Minnesota|page=F2|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-showman-sheehan/173944055/}}</ref>

The Grandstand is a large outdoor concert venue that also features three floors of interior exhibition space. It hosts the largest of the fair's concerts and until 2002 was also the site of [[stock car]] races run on a small oval track. In 2003 the facility completed the first phase of a $35&nbsp;million remodeling project that removed large sections of bleachers and increased [[seating capacity]] to 17,000.<ref name="GCMPR">{{cite news | first = Greta |last = Cunningham |title = State Fair Grandstand to get a facelift |url = http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2003/08/18_cunninghamg_grandstand/ |publisher = Minnesota Public Radio |date = August 18, 2003 | access-date = September 30, 2006}}</ref>

Most local television and radio stations set up temporary studios at the State Fair in their permanent buildings or booths.

In 2012 the fair began holding the Walker Art Center's Internet Cat Video Festival in the grandstand. Fairgoers watch the year's most popular cat videos and memes and award the best videos with cat trophies, the most prized being the Golden Kitty.{{citation needed|date=December 2017}} Guest appearances have included [[Grumpy Cat]] and [[Lil Bub]], two internet stars, as well as the creator of [[Nyan Cat]], Christopher Torres.

===Art===
The fair displays an annual art exhibition that is the result of a [[juried competition]] of works of [[fine art]].  Media include watercolor, oil, and acrylic paintings, photographs, sculptures, pastels, ceramics, glass, and textiles.  Entrants must be living residents of the state. In 2010, a total of 2,330 pieces were submitted, and 413 works were accepted.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}

One unusual display at the fair consists of the entrants in the [[crop art]] competition.  The artwork must be made of plant matter (seeds, stems, flowers, fruit, etc.) suitable for growing in Minnesota.<ref>{{cite web| title =Ag-Hort-Bee Rules and Premiums| publisher =Minnesota State Fair| year =2007| url =http://www.mnstatefair.org/2007_pdf/AG07-pbWeb.pdf| access-date =July 17, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928083538/http://www.mnstatefair.org/2007_pdf/AG07-pbWeb.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = September 28, 2007}}</ref> For decades the display was dominated by [[Owatonna, Minnesota|Owatonna]] native [[Lillian Colton]] (1912&ndash;2007), who created [[Crop art|seed]] portraits, professionally,<ref>{{cite web| title =A remembrance of the Seed Lady| publisher =MPR| date =March 22, 2007| url =http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/03/22/seedladyobit/| access-date = July 17, 2007}}</ref> having effectively captured scores of celebrities such as [[Ernest Hemingway]], [[Barbra Streisand]], [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]], [[Prince (musician)|Prince]], [[Princess Diana]], and [[Willie Nelson]] in her crop art.  After winning nine purple ribbons, she stopped competing, but continued displaying her work at the fair.<ref>{{cite web| title =Crop Art| publisher =David Steinlicht| url =http://www.cropart.com/index.htm| access-date = July 17, 2007}}</ref>
 
There are competitions in dozens of categories in [[needlecraft]], garment-making, wood-working, [[Physical model|models]], painting, doll-making, [[taxidermy]], stamp-collecting, [[scrapbooking]], baking, [[canning]], and others.<ref>{{cite web| title =Creative Activities – Rules and Premiums| publisher =Minnesota State Fair| year =2007| url =http://www.mnstatefair.org/2007_pdf/CA07-pbWeb.pdf| access-date = July 17, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928083546/http://www.mnstatefair.org/2007_pdf/CA07-pbWeb.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = September 28, 2007}}</ref>

===Milk run===
The annual [[5K run]] begins on the fairgrounds, winds its way through the [[Saint Paul, Minnesota|Saint Paul]] campus of the [[University of Minnesota]] and the [[Saint Anthony Park]] neighborhood, and ends back at the fairgrounds.<ref>{{cite web| title =Milk Run| publisher =Minnesota State Fair| year =2022| url =https://www.mnstatefair.org/competitions/milk-run-5k-race/| access-date =August 2, 2022}}</ref>

===4-H===
[[4-H]]<ref>{{cite web| title =Minnesota State 4-H| publisher =Minnesota State 4-H| year =2007| url =http://www.fourh.umn.edu| access-date =August 28, 2007}}</ref> has a significant presence at the fair, both in the 4-H Building and in the animal barns and arenas. Contests include herdsmanship, [[horse showmanship]], judging teams, public presentations, county club exhibits, and the popular llama and alpaca costume contest. Livestock displays include beef and dairy cattle, dairy and market goats, poultry (chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and pigeons), rabbits, [[domestic sheep]], and swine.<ref>{{cite web| title =4-H Livestock| publisher =Minnesota State Fair| year =2007| url =http://www.mnstatefair.org/pages/4_H.html| access-date = July 17, 2007}}</ref> About half of all 4-H projects entered are animal science projects. The 4-H building was opened and dedicated in 1939<ref>{{cite book|last=Speer|first=Ray P.|title=Minnesota State Fair: A History and Heritage of 100 Years|year=1964|publisher=Argus Publishing Company|page=203}}</ref> and about 320,000 state fairgoers visit it every year. The non-livestock projects include photography, performing arts, crafts, food and nutrition, and clothing and textiles.

===Science===
In recent years the Progress Center has been housing the Eco Experience exhibit, which features activities and exhibits including the design and construction of an eco-friendly house, a [[rain garden]], exhibits addressing [[climate change]], [[energy conservation]], [[renewable energy]], [[biodiesel]] fuel and vehicles, and [[organic farming]]. The exhibit has received awards from the Western Fair Association, the International Associate of Fairs and Expositions, and the Minnesota Environmental Initiative.<ref>{{cite web| title =The Eco Experience at the Minnesota State Fair| publisher =Minnesota Pollution Control Agency| year =2007| url =http://www.pca.state.mn.us/ecoexperience/| access-date = July 17, 2007}}</ref>

===State Fair Carousel===
In 1913 Austin McFadden, a Michigan entrepreneur approached the Fair about building the first [[roller coaster]] on the Fair grounds and was turned down.<ref name="Statefair">{{Cite web|url=https://www.startribune.com/how-your-favorite-minnesota-state-fair-attractions-have-changed/390342871|title=How your favorite Minnesota State Fair attractions have changed|first=Katy|last=Read|date=August 19, 2016|website=www.startribune.com}}</ref> The next year he was back and offered to throw in a [[merry-go-round]] to get the Fair Board's approval. They did.  For the price of $8,500 McFadden got 30 tons of wood and steel decorated with 68 hand carved horses, two [[chariots]] and an organ from the [[Philadelphia Toboggan Company]].  The Carousel became a State Fair institution that all of Minnesota thought belonged to the fair grounds.  It had no sign on it indicating its ownership was not public while being installed on public land.  Without any disclosure in 1988 the Fair's board refused to extend the Carousel's lease.<ref>Grand Opening of Cafesjian's Carousel (PTC #33), Carousel Organ, Issue No. 5,  October 2000, 7552 Beach Rd
Wadsworth, OH [https://coaa.us/index_archive/Issues_1_to_10/Grand%20Opening%20of%20Cafesjian's%20Carousel_%20Francy%20Reitz_%20_5%20PTC%20carousel%20_33%20Cafesjian's%20Como%20Park%20St%20Paul,%20MN%20Minnesota%20State%20Fairgrounds%20Wurlitzer%20153%20band%20organ%20Philadelphia%20Toboggan%20Company.pdf]</ref>  The public learned the owners had dismantled the Carousel and sent it to auction in [[New York City|New York]].<ref name="CC">{{Cite web|url=https://ourfaircarousel.org/|title=Cafesjian's Carousel – An Antique Carousel In Como Park}}</ref>  The price wanted was $1.1&nbsp;million.<ref name="CC"/>  The idea that the State Fair Carousel would be lost to Minnesota prompted a public effort to save it.<ref name="CC"/>  While not at the Fair grounds, today it remains intact at [[Como Park]] close by.<ref name="CC"/>  It is now named for the largest contributor to its remaining in Minnesota, [[Gerard Cafesjian]].

==Entertainment==
===Music===
Musical venues include The Grandstand, with a capacity of up to 17,000, and free entertainment venues.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}

===Permanent rides===
There are several rides that are permanent fixtures at the fair, including the Giant Slide, on which fairgoers ride down a large fiberglass slide on burlap sacks. The Skyride is an aerial lift ride that carries fairgoers across the grounds in a gondola.  The Space Tower is a [[gyro tower]] that rotates as it lifts people over 300 feet (90 m) in the air, giving views of the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.  There is also a [[Haunted attraction (simulated)|haunted house]] which has been around since 1977 and is located on Judson Ave. The fair's oldest existing ride, Ye Old Mill (opened in 1915), is located near the food building. It is a "[[tunnel of love (ride)|tunnel of love]]"–style ride for all ages.

===Temporary rides===
[[File:Midway-Minnesota State Fair-2006.jpg|thumb|The Midway]]
The [[Midway (fair)|Midway]] is a carnival-like setting that contains most of the rides at the State Fair.  The attractions include several funhouses, roller coasters and other thrill rides as well as numerous games of skill. It is located across the street from the Midway, but is not a part of it. Kidway is the carnival area on the fairgrounds geared toward children. Kidway is located between Dan Patch and Wright Avenues on the north end of the fairgrounds.

==Management==
The Minnesota State Fair is a state government-related entity that is operated by the Minnesota State Agricultural Society. The management of the fair is handled by the board of managers. The state fair has not accepted governmental funds since 1949. Revenue from the fair is reinvested into maintenance and the next year's fair.

The Minnesota State Fair Foundation is an organization that works to improve and preserves historic state fair buildings. The foundation is a [[501(c)(3)]] organization, and also supports State Fair agricultural, scientific and educational programs.  The foundation provided funding for the new Miracle of Birth center.

The Fair employs about 80 full-time staff members for the entire year; in the summer, some 400 seasonal staff are hired. During the fair time, around 3,000 temporary employees are hired.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mnstatefair.org/about-the-fair/|title=About the Fair|date=May 8, 2018|publisher=Minnesota State Fair}}</ref>

===Police Department===
The State Fair area is policed by the '''Minnesota State Fair Police Department'''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Police Headquarters |url=https://www.mnstatefair.org/location/police-headquarters/ |website=Minnesota State Fair |access-date=November 10, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Their authority is given by section 37.20 of the Minnesota Statutes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sec. 37.20 MN Statutes |url=https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/2018/cite/37.20?keyword_type=all&keyword=state+fair+police |website=www.revisor.mn.gov |access-date=November 10, 2020}}</ref> In 2020, 37 police officers were dismissed and required to re-apply for their positions, requiring a college degree which a number of longer-serving officers did not have, prompting a lawsuit against the State Fair on the grounds of age discrimination.<ref>{{cite news |title=Minnesota State Fair, police chief face age discrimination complaints after 37 officers terminated |url=https://kstp.com/news/minnesota-state-fair-police-chief-face-age-discrimination-complaints-after-37-officers-terminated/5603911/ |access-date=November 10, 2020 |work=KSTP |date=January 9, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> After a year in which the [[Ramsey County, Minnesota|Ramsey County]] Sheriff's Office provided security at the fair, the Department was restablished in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Private security, metal detectors part of the Minnesota State Fair safety plan|url=https://www.kare11.com/article/entertainment/events/minnesota-state-fair/ramsey-county-sheriffs-office-will-lead-security-at-minnesota-state-fair/89-758ecf5a-2320-4325-bd1c-9857e8f65499|access-date=September 2, 2021|website=kare11.com|date=July 27, 2021|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Minnesota State Fair reestablishing own police department a year after disbanding one |url=https://www.twincities.com/2021/12/06/minnesota-state-fair-to-restore-a-police-department/ |access-date=15 November 2025 |work=Twin Cities |date=7 December 2021}}</ref> By August 2022, they had reached the goal of hiring 200 officers.<ref>{{cite news |title=With 200 officers, MN State Fair police chief says they’ve reached hiring goal |url=https://www.twincities.com/2022/08/16/mn-state-fair-police-officers-hiring/ |access-date=15 November 2025 |work=Twin Cities |date=17 August 2022}}</ref>

==J. V. Bailey House==
[[File:BaileyHouse.JPG|thumb|right|The restored J. V. Bailey House]]
The J. V. Bailey House, at 1263 Cosgrove Street, is one of the oldest buildings on the fairgrounds. It was built in 1911 and restoration was completed in 2006. It is connected to the greenhouses and was occupied year-round by the greenhouse superintendent until 2004. The State Fair Foundation operates out of the residence.<ref>{{cite web| title =J.V. Bailey House| publisher =Placeography.com| url =http://www.placeography.org/index.php?title=J.V._Bailey_House%2C_1263_Cosgrove_Street%2C_Saint_Paul%2C_Minnesota| access-date = August 29, 2008}}</ref>

==Mascots==
The fair's mascots are two anthropomorphized [[gophers]]. The choice of gopher as mascots was an homage to the [[University of Minnesota]] [[Goldy Gopher|mascot]] which is also a gopher and was a historical reference to the expansion of railroads in Minnesota, towns popping up across the state like gophers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Minnesota State Fair History|url=http://www.mnstatefair.org/pdf/media/MSF-History.pdf|website=Minnesota State Fair|publisher=Minnesota State Agricultural Society|access-date=May 14, 2018}}</ref> For these reasons, Minnesota is sometimes referred to as the gopher state.<ref>{{cite news|title=Minnesota Moment: Why we're called the Gopher State|url=http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-moment-why-we-re-called-the-gopher-state/474225163/|access-date=May 14, 2018|agency=Star Tribune Media Company, LLC|publisher=Star Tribune|date=February 16, 2018}}</ref> Fairchild, the original mascot, was suggested in a statewide contest by Gladys Anderson Brown in 1966 in honor of Henry S. Fairchild who advocated using the former Ramsey County Poor Farm as the permanent site of the fair.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Berdan|first1=Kathy|title=Q&A: Usually mute Fairchild is funnier – and punnier – than we thought|url=https://www.twincities.com/2016/08/25/pioneer-press-fairchild-mn-state-fair-mascot-50/|access-date=May 14, 2018|agency=Digital First Media|publisher=Twin Cities Pioneer Press|date=August 25, 2016}}</ref> Dressed like an early [[Barker (occupation)|barker]] on the midway with a straw hat and striped jacket, Fairchild has represented the fair since 1966. In 1986, he was joined on promotional materials by his nephew, Fairborne.<ref>{{cite book| last = Marling | first = Karal Ann | title = Blue Ribbon: A Social and Pictorial History of the Minnesota State Fair| publisher = Minnesota Historical Society Press| place = St. Paul, Minnesota| year = 1990| isbn = 978-0-87351-252-7 | page = 234}}</ref>

==Attendance records==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Day !! Attendance<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mnstatefair.org/about-the-fair/attendance/|title=Attendance|publisher=Minnesota State Fair Attendance|website=www.mnstatefair.org|date=June 9, 2016|access-date=September 4, 2018}}</ref>!! Year
|-
! First Thursday 
| 138,875  || 2024
|-
! First Friday 
| 171,233 || 2024
|-
! First Saturday
| 222,194 || 2018
|-
! First Sunday
| 209,969 || 1994
|-
! First Monday
| 145,022 || 2025
|-
! First Tuesday
| 136,987 || 2019
|-
! First Wednesday
| 145,531 || 2024
|-
! Second Thursday
| 156,764 || 2018
|-
! Second Friday
| 225,521 || 2024
|-
! Second Saturday
| 270,426 || 2018
|-
! Second Sunday
| 256,015 || 2024
|-
! Second Monday (Labor Day)
| 184,740 || 2019
|-
! Entire Fair
| 2,126,551 || 2019
|}

==Off-season use==
The fairgrounds host several events throughout the year. Events include horse shows in the [[Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum]] and Horse Barn, the Minnesota Horse Expo and the Minnesota Beef Expo, gymnastics meets and other sporting events, dog shows, antique and hot-rod car shows, motorcycle shows, model railroad shows, clothing and jewelry shows, gun and weapon collectors shows, comic book conventions, flea markets and swap meets, and more. Buildings on the grounds are frequently rented for commercial events such as appliance sales, computer and electronics sales, and boat and car sales. Earlier in the summer, some of the fairground's roads are used to host an annual series of bike races during the week, called the State Fair Affair Criterium Series. Many buildings on the fair grounds are rented for winter storage of boats, camping trailers, and similar equipment.{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}}

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed">
Image:Princess Kay of the Milky Way-2006.jpg|Audrey Mohr of [[New Ulm, Minnesota]] (right), [[Princess Kay of the Milky Way]] 2006–2007
Image:Showing Holstein cow-Minnesota.jpg|Showing a [[Holstein (cattle)|Holstein]] cow
Image:Machinery Hill-Minnesota.jpg|Skyglider, Machinery Hill
Image:Agriculture Building-Minnesota.jpg|The Fine Arts and 4-H buildings
Image:Jams, Jellies, Honeys-Minnesota State Fair.jpg|Jams, jellies, and honeys
Image:Giant Slide-Minnesota State Fair.jpg|The Giant Slide
Image:2010 MN State Fair crowd.JPG|August 2010 crowd
Image:MinnesotaStateFairBreads2007-08-25.JPG|Breads and baked goods
Image:Minnesotastatefairpeople.jpg|August 25, 2007
Image:MN State Fair cheerleaders 2003.JPG|[[Minnesota Golden Gophers Spirit Squads|Golden Gopher Spirit Squads]] during the Maroon and Gold Day Parade in 2003
Image:Minn-State-Fair.jpg|Daytime crowd at the Fair
Image:KARE-TV-MN State Fair 20060826.jpg|Television interview during the 2006 Fair
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
*[https://www.mnstatefair.org/ Minnesota State Fair - Official Site]
*[https://www.msffoundation.org/ Minnesota State Fair Foundation]
*[https://www3.mnhs.org/mnopedia/search/index/event/minnesota-state-fair-origins-and-traditions Minnesota State Fair: Origins and Traditions in MNopedia, the Minnesota Encyclopedia]

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[[Category:Minnesota State Fair| ]]
[[Category:1859 establishments in Minnesota|State Fair]]
[[Category:Festivals established in 1859]]
[[Category:Festivals in Minnesota|State Fair]]
[[Category:State fairs]]
[[Category:August]]
[[Category:September]]
[[Category:Ramsey County, Minnesota]]