Minnesota State Fair Announces New 2019 Rides, Attractions

SAINT PAUL, MN — The Minnesota State Fair is a little more than a month away, and this week event organizers announced several new attractions slated to debut at the 2019 event. Among them is the North End, the fairgrounds’ newest destination neighborhood which includes a new $16 million event center.

Here are the new Minnesota State Fair rides, attractions and buildings to check out at this year’s event:

NEW RIDES

Fairgoers will find three new rides this year on the Minnesota State Fair Midway and Kidway, including the Sea Ray, Zero Gravity and a new Merry-Go-Round.

The Minnesota Corn Fairstalk (Minnesota State Fair)

NEW ATTRACTIONS

ANGRY BIRDS UNIVERSE: THE EXHIBITION
Based on the famous game and characters, ANGRY BIRDS UNIVERSE: THE EXHIBITION gives fair fans of all ages the chance to explore art and science concepts through unique, hands-on interactive activities.

Minnesota Corn Fairstalk
Greeting guests as they meander through the North End, this 24-foot-tall art installation celebrates Minnesota agriculture. Giant LED screens, displaying fun facts about corn and farming, food and the fair, are integrated into the design.

The Sioux Chef Presents the Indigenous Food Lab at Dan Patch Park
Celebrate the richness, beauty and diversity of Minnesota’s indigenous foods and culture in a special daylong program on Sunday, Sept. 1, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., at Dan Patch Park.

Goat Booth
Goats, one of the fastest-growing livestock exhibitions at the State Fair, will now have their own education station. Stop by and learn more about the many goat breeds through activities and displays. (Aug. 30-Sept. 2)

The North End
This year’s additions to the North End include the North End Event Center, the Minnesota Corn Fairstalk, photo stops created by Minnesota artist Adam Turman, Minnesota-based specialty merchants and more.

Giant Slide Turns 50
The Giant Slide celebrates its 50th anniversary at the 2019 Minnesota State Fair. An estimated 9 million fair guests have ridden this attraction, which is owned and operated by three generations of the Pittroffs, the family that first brought the slide to the fair in 1969.

Minnesota State Fair Healing Garden
Dozens of plants known for their healing and therapeutic properties fill the beautifully designed State Fair Healing Garden. In 2019, Phase 1 of the garden will include educational signage amidst the waterfalls and gazebo pointing out each plant and explaining its medicinal uses.

Eco Experience (Minnesota State Fair)

NEW HIGHLIGHTS

Creative Activities
Insider tips from award-winning local chefs, and displays of crafting and kitchen creativity by Minnesotans will be highlighted in the Creative Activities Building.

Eco Experience
New highlights feature the latest in easy, everyday reduce-reuse-recycle how-tos; healthy cooking tips to reduce food waste; innovations in green technology; and other topics on environmentally focused living.

History Highlights of Early Fairs and the Sheep and Poultry Barn
The History Walking Tour, a two-mile self-guided exploration of some of the State Fair’s most historically significant spots, introduces two new additions to the tour.

New Features of Popular Exhibits and Experiences
The fair will introduce reading stories to dogs, performing trapeze art, creating with magnetic poetry and digging into dirt at popular State Fair exhibits and experiences.

Park & Ride at the Fair (Minnesota State Fair)

BUILDINGS/LOCATIONS

Agriculture Horticulture Building - New Features
One of the most iconic buildings at the State Fairgrounds is home to a variety of new competitions, demonstrations and displays including brewing demonstrations, “Floralpalooza” in the Rotunda and the Minnesota State Fair Flower Show.

Park & Ride Lot Updates
The fair added two new lots – in Roseville and St. Paul – to its Park & Ride service, where you can park free and ride a free bus that drops you off right at the fair.

New Locations - 3rd Lair SkatePark and Krazy Maze
3rd Lair SkatePark moves to Adventure Park, and the Krazy Maze relocates to Randall Avenue.