Your Guide To The 2018 Minnesota State Fair

TWIN CITIES, MN — The 2018 Great Minnesota Get-Together begins Thursday. This year’s 12 days of fun feature a variety of discounts, special deal days and money-saving tools. The 2018 Minnesota State Fair runs from Aug. 23 to Labor Day, Sept. 3.

Here's what you need to know:

• New Minnesota State Fair Foods
• New Rides, Attractions For 2018 Minnesota State Fair

Special Deal Days

The State Fair kicks off with savings on Thrifty Thursday, Aug. 23. Discounted admission is $12 for adults (13-64) and $9 for kids (5-12) when purchased at the gate.

Monday, Aug. 27 is Seniors and Kids Day. Seniors (65+) and kids (5-12) are admitted for $9 when tickets are purchased at the gate.

Military Appreciation Day is Tuesday, Aug. 28, when active military and their families, as well as retired and veteran military and their spouses, are admitted for $9 when they purchase admission at the gate with documentation of U.S. military service.

Wednesday, Aug. 29 is Read and Ride Day. Guests presenting valid public library cards when purchasing admission at the gate are admitted for the following discounted prices: Adults (13-64) $12; seniors (65+) $9; and kids (5-12) $9. (One discount per card)

Seniors Day is Thursday, Aug. 30. Seniors (65+) are admitted for $9 when purchasing tickets at the gate.
Labor Day, Sept. 3, is Kids and Last Chance Day when kids (5-12) are admitted for $9 when purchasing tickets at the gate.

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In addition, many vendors feature special day deals for all State Fair guests on Thrifty Thursday, Aug. 23; Seniors and Kids Day, Aug. 27; Military Appreciation Day, Aug. 28; Seniors Day, Aug. 30; and Kids and Last Chance Day, Sept. 3.

Select vendors also feature closeout prices on Kids and Last Chance Day, Sept. 3.

More Fun for Less at Mighty Midway and Kidway

Specials are offered every weekday on rides and games at Mighty Midway and Kidway. All-day
specials run Thursday, Aug. 23; Monday, Aug. 27; Wednesday, Aug. 29; and Monday, Sept. 3. Early Bird specials are offered until 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 24; Tuesday, Aug. 28; Thursday, Aug. 30; and Friday, Aug. 31.

Blue Ribbon Bargain Book

The 2018 Blue Ribbon Bargain Book offers 150 coupons offering savings of at least 30 percent on
food, merchandise and attractions throughout the fairgrounds. Coupons are valid all 12 days of the fair, and a preview of the bargains is available here.

Bargain Books are $5 and available at the State Fair ticket office, Minneapolis Visitor Information, participating Cub locations and at many locations in greater Minnesota and Hudson, Wis., prior to the fair (while supplies last), and during the fair at State FairWear Gift Shops and Bargain Book and State Fair Poster Carts on the fairgrounds.

Books purchased during the fair support the Minnesota State Fair Foundation’s mission to preserve and improve fair buildings, the fairgrounds and educational programs.

Deals, Drawings and Giveaways Guide

Available to view and print now here or for pick up at any information booth, the Deals, Drawings and Giveaways Guide details special day deals, items available for $1 or less, freebies and places to sign up and have the chance to win prizes.

Parking, Busing for the Minnesota State Fair

Buy a State Fair Express bus ticket in advance from Metro Transit here. Service starts at 9 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. on weekends and Labor Day unless otherwise noted at all Metro Transit locations.

Parking lots at the Minnesota State Fair are open from 6 a.m. to midnight (10 p.m. on Labor Day). Check out the State Fair map for locations.

Lyft Offers Discounts For The Minnesota State Fair

Park and Ride to the Minnesota State Fair (Hours and dates of operation vary. Go here for more information)

• Bethel University Anderson Center
• Pine Tree Dr., Arden Hills, 55112
• Catholic United Financial, 3499 Lexington Ave. N., Arden Hills, 55126, Lexington Ave.
• Presbyterian Church of the Way, 3382 Lexington Ave. N., Shoreview, 55126 Lexington Ave.
• Gathering Place, 3245 New Brighton Rd., New Brighton, 55112, New Brighton Rd. north of Co. Rd. D
• Roseville Covenant Church, 2865 Hamline Ve. N., Roseville, 55113, Hamline Ave. & Co. Rd. C2
• North Heights Lutheran Church, 1700 Hwy. 96 W., Arden Hills, 55112.
• Calvary Church - White Bear Township, 4604 Greenhaven Dr., White Bear Township, 55127
• Church of Corpus Christi, 2131 Fairview Ave. N., Roseville, 55113
• Wilder Foundation, 451 Lexington Parkway N., St. Paul, 55104, Lexington Pkwy. & University Ave.
• Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 700 Snelling Ave. S., St. Paul, 55116
• Ford Plant, Saint Paul
• U of M Minneapolis Campus, TCF Bank Stadium
  • U of M Parking Lots Map
• MN Dept. of Education, 1500 Hwy. 36, Roseville, 55113
• Grace Church of Roseville, 1310 Co. Rd. B2, Roseville, 55113
• Roseville Area High School, 1240 Co. Rd. B2, Roseville, 55113
• St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Hamline Ave. N., Roseville, 55113
• Calvary Church - Roseville, 2120 Lexington Ave. N., Roseville, 55113
• New Life Presbyterian Church, 965 Larpenteur Ave. W., Roseville, 55113
• Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church, 1669 Arcade St. N., St. Paul, 55106
• Oscar Johnson Arena, 1039 De Courcy Cir., St. Paul, 55108
• Centennial United Methodist Church, 1524 W. Co. Rd. C2 W., Roseville, 55113
• St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 2048 N. Hamline Ave., Roseville, 55113
• I-35W & Co. Rd. C Park & Ride Ramp, 200 Iona Ln., Roseville, 55113
• Rosedale Corporate Center, 2700 Snelling Ave. N., Roseville, 55113
• Water’s Edge, 1500 Co. Rd. B2 W., Roseville, 55113
• Rosedale Towers, 1700 Hwy. 36 W., Roseville, 55113
• Roseville Professional Center, 2233 Hamline Ave. N., Roseville, 55113
• Broadway East & West, 3433 Broadway Ave. NE., Minneapolis, 55413
• Children’s Home Society & Lutheran Social Service, 1605 Eustis St., St. Paul, 55108
• HealthPartners Como Clinic, 2500 Como Ave., St. Paul, 55108
• Saint Paul College, 235 Marshall Ave., St. Paul, 55102
• Merrill Corp., 1 Merrill Cir., St. Paul, 55108
• Bandana Square, 1021 Bandana Blvd., St. Paul, 55108
• ETC, 1450 Energy Park Dr., St. Paul, 55108

Free Entertainment and Attractions

This year’s State Fair features many free attractions and exhibits, including:

• Nightly fireworks spectacular
• Live music and entertainment all day and night at stages throughout the fairgrounds
• The daily parade at 2 p.m. featuring the High School Marching Band Competition
• The Giant Sing Along (presented by Bremer Bank), which is now located north of Lee Avenue between
Underwood and Cooper streets
• Music and fun just for kids at Family Fair
• 3rd Lair SkatePark BMX and skateboarding demos at The X-Zone, now located at the northeast corner of Murphy Avenue and Cooper Street
• Dog agility and police K-9 demonstrations outside the brand-new Pet Pavilions
• FAN Central, which features local sports teams and merchandise
• The CHS Miracle of Birth Center, where nearly 200 newborn calves, lambs and piglets will be born during the fair’s 12-day run
• Demonstrations and information about many different agriculture and horticulture interests are provided daily at The Dirt in the Agriculture Horticulture Building.
• The finest needlework, handcrafts, baking and canning that Minnesota has to offer presented in the Creative
Activities Building, along with the brand-new Cambria Kitchen
• Fruit, wine, Christmas tree, crop art, flower, vegetable, potato, bee and honey contests along with the Giant Pumpkin Contest in the Agriculture Horticulture Building
• The Great Big Sandbox where kids can dig, scoop, pour and burrow their toes in a
sandbox made just for them located east of the Family Fair Stage at Baldwin Park
• Thank a Farmer Magic Show on the Christensen Farms Stage where children of all ages learn about the role agriculture plays in our daily lives
• The 4-H Poultry Prince and Princess Competition, which recognizes young leaders in
Minnesota’s poultry industry
• Insight, ideas and products for fair guests planning to update or remodel their homes in the Home Improvement Building
• The Timberworks Lumberjack and All-Star Stunt Dogs Splash shows at The North Woods
• The Kemps Little Farm Hands agricultural education experience
• Karaoke and live music in The Garden
• And much, much more - use the Fair Finder or daily schedules at mnstatefair.org or printed daily schedules
available at any information booth for a complete list of activities.

Free Minnesota State Fair App

The free Minnesota State Fair app is the official iPhone and Android smartphone users’ guide to navigating the Great Minnesota Get-Together.

It is available through the App Store and Google Play and features the popular Fair Finder, which is a tool to search for State Fair foods, shops and booths. It also includes daily schedule information.

Free Information and Guest Services

The Great Minnesota Get-Together offers many free services and amenities for guests’ convenience, including:

• Free Park and Ride service from 34 Twin Cities metro locations
• App-based ride services, such as Uber and Lyft, have two designated drop-off and pick-up areas for getting to and from the fair.
• Free trolley rides on the north end of the fairgrounds. In addition, a free ADA-accessible
trolley run along Randall Avenue with stops at Buford Avenue and Gate #18 at Dan Elmer Way. The trolley
runs 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 to 9 p.m. daily.
• Information booths stocked with free maps; daily schedules; specialty brochures; complimentary sunscreen (partnership of Vanicream Sunscreen, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Fair); Deals, Drawings and Giveaways Guides; free identification wristbands to help reunite lost children with their families; and more.
• First Aid Stations located on the east and west ends of the fairgrounds
• A Wi-Fi hotspot at the west Grandstand Plaza

The 2018 Minnesota State Fair free entertainment lineup features more than 900 shows throughout the Great Minnesota Get-Together’s 12-day run — all free with fair admission.

Highlights of this year’s free stage lineup are below:

Leinie Lodge Bandshell Tonight!

• Tower of Power – 50th Anniversary Tour 2018
• BoDeans
• En Vogue
• Clay Walker
• Journey Former Lead Vocalist Steve Augeri
• Har Mar Superstar
Leinie Lodge Bandshell daytime entertainment
• Martin Family Circus
• Charlie Faye & The Fayettes
• Carlene Carter
• Bryan White
• Tonic Sol-fa
• Redhead Express
• The 34th Infantry Division “Red Bull” Band
• The Malpass Brothers
• Ben Haggard
• Chmielewski Funtime Band
• The Next Generation Leahy
• Jimmie Allen
• Sunpie and the Louisiana Sunspots
• Kazual
• Cowboy Mouth
• The Reminders
• The Secret Sisters
• Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience
• C. Willi Myles

West End at Sunset at the Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater

• The High 48s
• Kristoffer Olson, Funny Magician
• The Barbary Coast Dixieland Showband
• The WoodPicks
• The Memories
• Sisters of Swing
• Randy Sabien & The Fiddlehead Band
• Tim Harmston
• Minnesota Americana-Roots Music Contests
• The Okee Dokee Brothers
• Buckets and Tap Shoes
• Bockfest Boys
• Humbird
• James Wedgwood Bazaar After Dark at the International Bazaar Stage
• Shane Martin
• Ipso Facto
• Pop ROCKS
• I Am, He Said: A Celebration of the Music of Neil Diamond
• Tropical Zone Orchestra
• ‘90s R&B Revival featuring Kathleen Johnson and Mario Dawson International Bazaar Stage daytime entertainment
• Mariachi Jalisco de Minnesota
• Café Accordion Orchestra
• Siama’s Congo Roots
• Native Pride Dancers
• Ray Sands and The Polka Dots
• Scottie Miller Band
• Natania & Ticket to Brasil
• Annie Mack Band
• Black Market Brass
• The Men of New Hope
• BATO BATO! Breck School Marimba
• Walter Chancellor Jr. Band featuring Thomasina

Ramberg Music Cafe Stage

• Hank Thunander
• The Neighborhood Trio
• The Mad Ripple Hootenanny
• Scott Fraser - Guitar Virtuoso
• The Banjo Boys Variety Band
• Jeff Arundel and The Hammsmen
• Jim Berner’s Music Legends
• Doug Otto & the Getaways
• Martin Devaney
• Rod Cerar Orchestra
• Bill Koncar
• Becky Kapell & The Fat 6

Family Fair Stage at Baldwin Park

• Greg Frisbee
• Sean Emery
• Steve Trash
• Jerry Frasier, Comic Magician
• Duke Otherwise
• The Chipper Experience
• Álléz-OOPS!
• Kidsdance
• Jared Sherlock
• Six Appeal

Other free entertainment venues and highlights include:

• All-Star Stunt Dogs Splash and Timberworks Lumberjack Show at The North Woods
• Laser Encore’s Laser Hitz Show, where high-powered laser beams choreographed to hit music dance in the skies above the fairgrounds nightly at 9:15 p.m.
• Mia Dorr’s Premier Karaoke in The Garden
• The Daily Parade at 2 p.m. with floats, special guests and the State Fair High School Marching Band Competition.
• 3rd Lair SkatePark’s pros showing off skateboard and BMX bike skills at The X-Zone.
• The Festival of Nations Stage presented by The International Institute of Minnesota, a showcase of dance and instrument demonstrations from around the world.
• Arts A’Fair, a celebration of performing arts in Minnesota with dance, theater and musical showcases.
• The 46th Annual Minnesota State Fair Amateur Talent Contest
• The Giant Sing Along presented by Bremer Bank, allowing fair guests to sing along together in a field of microphones — karaoke style.
• The Thank A Farmer Magic Show on the Christensen Farms Stage, where children of all ages learn about the role agriculture plays in our daily lives.
• The Pet Pavilions showcasing Minnesota Purebred Dog Breeders Association exhibits, outdoor demonstrations, the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association Pet Surgery Suite, photos of animals from local humane societies that are up for adoption and more.

Image via Minnesota State Fair