ST. PAUL — The 2017 Great Minnesota Get-Together begins on Thursday, Aug. 24, and runs through Labor Day, Sept. 4. 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 acts; and many options for getting to the fair.
New Attractions, Exhibits & Foods
Several new attractions make their State Fair debut in 2017, including the 156-foot-tall Great Big Wheel; the Veranda, a new shop-eat-sip destination on the west side of the Grandstand’s upper level; The Great Minnesota Knit Together with Minnesota’s largest yarnbomb – located on the Grandstand Ramp; an Evening with Equine on Aug. 29; Ramberg Center Relax & Recharge Station; and more. Visit mnstatefair.org/find/new-
Thirty-one new foods and five new food vendors have been added to the fair’s list of more than 500 food options. Visit mnstatefair.org/find/new-food/ for descriptions of this year’s new fare at the fair. High-resolution photos of the new foods are available for media use at mnstatefair.org/general_info/
Music & Entertainment
The 2017 free entertainment lineup features more than 900 shows – all free with the price of State Fair admission. Visit mnstatefair.org/entertainment/
The historic State Fair Grandstand is home to 11 nights of big-name entertainment from Stevie Nicks to Toby Keith. Tickets are available through Etix at etix.com or by calling (800) 514-3849. Visit mnstatefair.org/entertainment/
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 Association, Minnesota Farmers Union and Giggles’ Campfire Grill) kicks off at 7:45 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 27. Visit mnstatefair.org/competition/
Military Appreciation Day is Tuesday, Aug. 29, when the Minnesota State Fair honors our nation’s heroes with admission discounts and special events throughout the day. This year, the seventh annual Military Appreciation Day highlights the 100th anniversary of the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division. 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.
Two Minnesota senior citizens will be recognized for exceptional community service at the Outstanding Senior Citizens Award (sponsored by AmericInn Hotels & Suites) program. The ceremony is set for 10:30 a.m. on Seniors Day Thursday, Aug. 31 at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.
In its 45th 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. 3, at the Grandstand. This is a free event. Visit mnstatefair.org/entertainment/
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 mnstatefair.org/competition/
The 2017 Best Awards will be announced at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 31 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 different ticketed attractions for fair guests to enjoy, including: Space Tower, Ye Old Mill, Go Karts, Haunted House, River Raft Ride, SkyGlider and Skyride, among others.
Clown Around, a new Kidway (sponsored by DISH) ride, is set to make its debut taking little tykes ‘round and ‘round and up and down.
Discounts & Special Deal Days
Pre-fair discount admission tickets, ride & game tickets and Blue Ribbon Bargain Books are available through Wednesday, Aug. 23, at the State Fairgrounds Ticket Office, Minneapolis Visitor Information, participating Cub stores and numerous locations in greater Minnesota and Hudson, Wis. (while supplies last). Visit mnstatefair.org/tickets_
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/tickets_
All-Day or Early Bird specials are offered each weekday on Mighty Midway and Kidway rides & games. Visit mnstatefair.org/tickets_
The 2017 Blue Ribbon Bargain Book offers 150 coupons with huge savings on food, merchandise and attractions. Bargain Books are 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/tickets_
The Deals, Drawings & Giveaways Guide, available at State Fair information booths or at mnstatefair.org/tickets_
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 33 locations within a short distance of the fairgrounds. Visit mnstatefair.org/general_info/
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/general_info/
Metro Transit routes 960, 84, 3 and the A Line are great options to get to the fairgrounds. Visit mnstatefair.org/general_info/
Three free secured bicycle parking areas are available on the fairgrounds and open from 6 a.m. to midnight. Visit mnstatefair.org/general_info/
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/general_info/
App-based ride services, such as Uber & Lyft, have two designated drop-off and pick-up locations for getting to and from the fair.
Fair guests can take Uber to the Minnesota State Fair and get $15 off their first ride by entering code MNSTATEFAIR when signing up at https://get.uber.com/ (New Uber users only. Expires Sept. 18 at 11:55 p.m.).
Fair guests get 30 percent off two Lyft rides, up to a $5 savings on each ride, by using code MNSTATEFAIR when signing up at www.lyft.com/signup (New Lyft users only. Valid Aug. 24 – Sept. 7, 2017).
Visit mnstatefair.org/general_info/
Guest Services & Information
The Great Minnesota Get-Together offers many free services and amenities for guests’ convenience, including: free trolley rides on the north end of the fairgrounds; information booths (sponsored by CenturyLink) stocked with free maps, daily schedules (sponsored by Minnesota Lottery), 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. Visit mnstatefair.org/general_info/
The free Minnesota State Fair App is a useful tool to use in navigating the Great Minnesota Get-Together. This app, created just for Minnesota State Fair fans, uses the popular Food Finder, Merch & More Search and Fun Finder tools to help guests locate their favorites. The app is free and is available for download through iTunes or Google Play.
The Minnesota State Fair is one of the largest and best-attended expositions in the world, attracting 1.9 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 2017 Minnesota State Fair runs Aug. 24 – Labor Day, Sept. 4.
— Minnesota State Fair
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