ST. PAUL — The 2018 Great Minnesota Get-Together begins on Thursday, Aug. 23, and runs through Labor Day, Sept. 3. This year’s 12 days of fun feature dozens of new attractions, exhibits and foods; a variety of discounts and special deal days; numerous special events; hundreds of free live music and entertainment; and many options for getting to the fair.
New Attractions, Exhibits & Foods
Several new attractions make their State Fair debut in 2018, including The Hangar, a new destination for food, craft beer and entertainment on the north end of the fairgrounds; a 6,600-square-foot new open-air pavilion for the dog breed booths and Pet Surgery Suite called the Pet Pavilions and Outdoor Demonstration Area; Cambria Kitchen, a state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen in the Creative Activities Building featuring a schedule of premier local chefs and demonstrators; expanded schedule of draft horse and miniature horse competitions; two new free Park & Ride locations; and more. Visit mnstatefair.org/new-this-year/
Twenty-seven new foods and five new food vendors have been added to the fair’s list of more than 500 food options. Visit mnstatefair.org/new-this-year/
Music & Entertainment
The 2018 free entertainment lineup features more than 900 shows – all free with the price of State Fair admission. Visit mnstatefair.org/free-live-
The historic State Fair Grandstand is home to 11 nights of big-name entertainment from Niall Horan to Earth, Wind & Fire to Old Dominion. Tickets are available through Etix at etix.com or by calling 800-514-3849. Visit mnstatefair.org/grandstand/ for the complete 2018 Grandstand Concert Series lineup (sponsored by Sleep Number). A nightly Fireworks Spectacular (sponsored by Mazda) follows each Grandstand show, weather permitting.
Special Events
Several special events are scheduled during this year’s Great Minnesota Get-Together.
The Milk Run 5K (sponsored by Great River Energy, Midwest Dairy, Minnesota Farmers Union and Giggles’ Campfire Grill) kicks off at 7:45 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 26. Visitmnstatefair.org/competitions/
Military Appreciation Day is Tuesday, Aug. 28, when the Minnesota State Fair offers admission discounts and special events throughout the day. This year, the eighth annual Military Appreciation Day honors Minnesota women veterans and service members. The day begins at 9:30 a.m. with a ceremony at the Veterans Garden on the south side of the Agriculture Horticulture Building. It is followed at 9:45 a.m. with an opening ceremony flag-raising program at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell and the 34th Combat Aviation Brigade Helicopter Flyover at 10:25 a.m.
Two Minnesota senior citizens will be recognized for exceptional community service at the Outstanding Senior Citizens Award program (sponsored by Humana). The ceremony is set for 10:30 a.m.on Seniors Day, Thursday, Aug. 30, at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.
In its 46th year as a Minnesota State Fair tradition, the Amateur Talent Contest (sponsored by JACK’S® Pizza) showcases Minnesotaʼs top talent. During the first 10 days of the fair, semifinals will be held at 6 p.m. nightly at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell. Winners from semifinals will compete in the finals at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 2, at the Grandstand. This is a free event. Visit
mnstatefair.org/competitions/
Open class, 4-H and FFA competition judging takes place throughout the fair. For more information on when judging is taking place and where to see the animals, visit the daily schedule for each day’s livestock and horse events at mnstatefair.org/schedule/.
The 2018 Best Awards will be announced at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, on the International Bazaar Stage. Awards will be presented to the very best of the State Fair’s 1,200 commercial exhibit and food vendors.
Ticketed Attractions
In addition to dozens of rides and games at Mighty Midway and Kidway, there are more than 10 ticketed attractions for fair guests to enjoy, including: the return of the Great Big Wheel (sponsored by Allina Health | Aetna), Space Tower, Ye Old Mill, Giant Slide, Go Karts (sponsored by FVP), Haunted House, River Raft Ride (sponsored SPLASH), SkyGlider and Skyride, among others.
Downdraft, Haunted Castle Dark Ride, Rock Star, Super Frisbee and Twin Flip will make their debut at Mighty Midway, and Combination Carousel and Teacups will be new to Kidway (sponsored by DISH). Haunted Castle Dark Ride, Super Frisbee and Twin Flip are the only rides of their kind in North America.
Discounts & Special Deal Days
Pre-fair discount admission tickets, ride & game tickets and Blue Ribbon Bargain Books (sponsored by Cub) are available through Wednesday, Aug. 22, at the State Fairgrounds Ticket Office, Minneapolis Visitor Information, participating Cub locations and numerous locations in greater Minnesota and Hudson, Wis. (while supplies last). Visit mnstatefair.org/tickets/ride-
The State Fair offers special admission discounts on six of its 12 days with Thrifty Thursday, Seniors & Kids Days, Military Appreciation Day and Read & Ride Day. Many vendors throughout the fairgrounds also offer special savings on these deal days. Visit mnstatefair.org/deals-and-
All-Day or Early Bird specials are offered each weekday on Mighty Midway and Kidway rides & games. Visit mnstatefair.org/rides-and-
The 2018 Blue Ribbon Bargain Book (sponsored by Cub) offers 150 coupons with savings of at least 30 percent on food, merchandise and attractions. Bargain Books are $5 and available wherever pre-fair discount tickets are sold before the fair (not at mnstatefair.org), and at State FairWear Gift Shops and Bargain Book & State Fair Poster Carts during the fair. Coupons are valid all 12 days, and a preview of bargains is available at mnstatefair.org/blue-ribbon-
The Deals, Drawings & Giveaways Guide (sponsored by Minnesota Rusco), available at State Fair information booths (sponsored by CenturyLink) or at mnstatefair.org/deals-and-
Getting to the Get-Together
Free parking with free shuttle bus service to and from the fair is available from 8 a.m. to midnight daily at 34 locations within a short distance of the fairgrounds. Visit mnstatefair.org/
State Fair Express Bus service is offered at 20 sites throughout the Twin Cities area. Round-trip Express Bus fare is available for a nominal fee. Parking at each site is free. Visit
mnstatefair.org/
App-based ride services have two designated drop-off and pick-up locations (sponsored by Lyft) for getting to and from the fair. Visit mnstatefair.org/
Metro Transit bus routes 960, 84, 3 and the A Line are great options to get to the fairgrounds. Visit mnstatefair.org/
Three free secured bicycle parking areas are available on the fairgrounds and open from 6 a.m. to midnight. Visit mnstatefair.org/parking/
Parking in State Fairgrounds lots is $14 (cash only). Motorcycle parking is available for $8 in a secured lot on the south side of Como Avenue across from Gate #7. Visit mnstatefair.org/parking/
Guest Services & Information
The Great Minnesota Get-Together offers many free services and amenities for guests’ convenience, including: free trolley rides (sponsored by Lyft) on the north end of the fairgrounds; information booths (sponsored by CenturyLink) stocked with free maps, daily schedules (sponsored by Minnesota Lottery), free ID wristbands, specialty brochures, Deals, Drawings & Giveaways Guides (sponsored by Minnesota Rusco) and complimentary sunscreen (partnership of Vanicream Sunscreen, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Fair); a free Wi-Fi hotspot at the West Grandstand Plaza (sponsored by DragNFly Wireless) and First Aid Stations (sponsored by Regions Hospital) located on the east and west ends of the fairgrounds.
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 tool to search for State Fair foods, shops and booths. It also includes daily schedule information.
Media: The 2018 Minnesota State Fair Media Kit is available to view or print at assets.mnstatefair.org/pdf/
About the Minnesota State Fair: The Minnesota State Fair is one of the largest and best-attended expositions in the world, attracting nearly 2 million visitors annually. Showcasing Minnesota’s finest agriculture, art and industry, the Great Minnesota Get-Together is always 12 Days of Fun Ending Labor Day. Visit mnstatefair.org for more information. The 2018 Minnesota State Fair runsAug. 23 – Labor Day, Sept. 3.
— Minnesota State Fair
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