Plan Your Visit and Ways to Save at the 2022 Minnesota State Fair

Minnesota State Fair

(St Paul, MN) — August 25, 2022 — The 2022 Great Minnesota Get-Together is underway. This year’s 12 days of
fun (Aug. 25 – Labor Day, Sept. 5) features many options to help plan your visit and offers a variety of deals and
discounts.

Plan Your Visit

Hours

These last two years have provided the opportunity to evaluate the fair’s entire operation and determine how best to
improve the fair experience for guests, staff, vendors and all who work to present the Great Minnesota Get-Together.
With this in mind, the fairgrounds hours have been updated.
• Fairgrounds Admission: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Labor Day
• Fairgrounds Hours: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.; 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Labor Day
• Online Ticket Sales Fair Time: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Labor Day
• Gate Ticket Sales Fair Time: Tickets will be sold at the gates during the Fairgrounds Admission times,
7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Labor Day
• Please note that barns hours vary, and some barns will close early for the safety of guests, animals and
exhibitors on select days when animals are leaving the fair and we are preparing for the arrival of new
animals.
Visit mnstatefair.org/general-info/hours-of-operation/ for more hours information.

Getting to the Fair

• Free parking with free shuttle bus service to and from the fair is available at 30 locations within a short
distance of the fairgrounds. Visit mnstatefair.org/transportation/free-park-and-ride/ for a full list of Park &
Ride locations.
• State Fair Express Bus service is offered by Metro Transit, Minnesota Valley Transit Authority and SouthWest
Transit from several sites throughout the Twin Cities area. Visit mnstatefair.org/transportation/metro-transit/
for more information and a list of Express Bus service locations.
• App-based ride services, such as Lyft and Uber, have two designated drop-off and pick-up points located on
the north and south ends of the fairgrounds. During the State Fair, taxi drop-off and pick-up is located at the
Loop Gate (#9), on Como Avenue on the south end of the fairgrounds. Visit
mnstatefair.org/transportation/taxi-and-rideshare/ for more information.
• Metro Transit regular route buses are great options for getting to the fairgrounds. Visit
mnstatefair.org/transportation/metro-transit/ for more information on regular Metro Transit routes.
• Three free secured bicycle parking areas are available on the fairgrounds. Visit
mnstatefair.org/parking/bicycle/ for more information on biking to the State Fair.
• Parking in State Fairgrounds lots is $17 (cash or credit/debit). Motorcycle parking is available for $11 in a
secured lot on the south side of Como Avenue across from Gate #7. Visit mnstatefair.org/parking/vehicle/ for a
map of State Fairgrounds parking lot locations. There is no guaranteed parking as space is limited and all lots
are filled on a first-come basis.

Daily Schedule

Fair guests can search for the most up-to-date live music, exhibitions, competitions and more by day, location or
keywords. These daily schedules can be found at mnstatefair.org/schedule/.
State Fair Finders for Food and Merchandise
The finders allow fair guests to search for new foods, any kind of merchandise, specialty beers, vendors offering
special deals and more. The food finder can be found here: mnstatefair.org/fair-finder/food/ and merchandise finder is here: mnstatefair.org/fair-finder/shops/.
Minnesota State Fair App
The State Fair app is free and features the popular Fair Finder, which is a tool to search for food, merchandise and
exhibits. It also includes daily schedule information. Information on the State Fair app and how to download it can be  found at mnstatefair.org/general-info/mobile-app/.

Accessibility

The fair offers a variety of services for guests to make the most of their visit. Check out the Accessibility Guide at
mnstatefair.org/general-info/accessibility-guide/ to learn about: electric mobility scooters, strollers, wagons and
wheelchair rentals; transportation & parking; ASL interpreting, captioning and audio description services; sensory
friendly visits; service animals; dining guide; ride and attraction access; bariatric seating, large-print daily schedules
and maps; and more.

Ways to Save

Before-the-Fair Savings

Pre-fair discount admission tickets are $14 (a $3 discount off the regular adult admission price and a $1 discount off
the regular seniors and kids admission prices) and are valid any one day of the fair for any age (children 4 & under are always free). Also prior to the fair, Mighty Midway and Kidway ride & game tickets are $15 for a sheet of 20 (a
savings of up to $5). (Kidway is sponsored by Kwik Trip.)

Discount State Fair admission tickets, discount Mighty Midway and Kidway ride & game tickets, and Blue Ribbon
Bargain Books (sponsored by Minnesota Lottery) are available through Aug. 24 at the State Fairgrounds Ticket Office
off Como Avenue (Loop Gate #9), participating Cub locations and numerous locations in greater Minnesota and
Hudson, Wis. (while supplies last). Discount admission tickets may also be purchased online at mnstatefair.org until
9 p.m. Aug. 24. Online orders for Midway/Kidway ride & game tickets, Blue Ribbon Bargain Books and admission
tickets that must be mailed should be placed by 5 p.m. Aug. 11.

During the fair, the regular admission price is $17 for adults (13-64); $15 for seniors (65+); and $15 for kids (5-12).
Children 4 and under are always admitted free. Mighty Midway and Kidway tickets purchased at the fair are $1 per
ticket, $25 per sheet of 28 tickets, and $50 per sheet of 60 tickets. Throughout the fair, Blue Ribbon Bargain Books are $5 and available at State FairWear Gift Shops and Bargain Book & State Fair Poster Carts (while supplies last).

 

Special Deal Days

The State Fair kicks off with savings on Opening Day, Aug. 25. Discounted admission is $15 for adults (13-64) and
$12 for seniors (65+) and kids (5-12) when purchased at the gate.

Monday, Aug. 29, and Thursday, Sept. 1, are Seniors Days. Seniors (65+) are admitted for $12 when tickets are
purchased at the gate.

Military Appreciation Day is Tuesday, Aug. 30, when active military and their families, as well as retired and veteran
military and their spouses, are admitted for $12 when they purchase admission at the gate with documentation of U.S.  military service.

Wednesday Aug. 31, and Labor Day, Sept. 5, are Kids Days. Kids (5-12) are admitted for $12 when tickets are
purchased at the gate.

In addition, many vendors feature special day deals for all State Fair guests on Opening Day, Aug. 25; Seniors Days
Aug. 29 & Sept. 1; Military Appreciation Day, Aug. 30; and Kids Days, Aug. 31 & Sept. 5. Participating vendors will
display a special day deal sign and are listed in the Deals, Drawings & Giveaways Guide (sponsored by Minnesota
Rusco) available at all information booths and at mnstatefair.org. Select vendors also feature last chance deals on
Labor Day, Sept. 5.

More Fun for Less at Mighty Midway & Kidway

Specials are offered every weekday on rides and games at Mighty Midway and Kidway. All-day specials run Thursday,
Aug. 25; Monday, Aug. 29; Wednesday, Aug. 31; and Monday, Sept. 5. Early Bird specials are offered until 1 p.m. on
Friday, Aug. 26; Tuesday, Aug. 30; Thursday, Sept. 1; and Friday, Sept. 2. (Kidway sponsored by Kwik Trip.)
Blue Ribbon Bargain Book
The 2022 Blue Ribbon Bargain Book (sponsored by Minnesota Lottery) offers 100 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 at mnstatefair.org/blue-ribbon-bargain-book/. Bargain Books are $5 and available at the State Fair ticket office, participating Cub locations and at many locations in greater Minnesota and Hudson, Wis. (while supplies last), and during the fair at State FairWear Gift Shops and Bargain Book & State Fair Poster Carts on the fairgrounds (while supplies last). 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 & Giveaways Guide

Available to view and print once available at mnstatefair.org/deals-and-discounts/ or for pick up at any information
booth, the Deals, Drawings & Giveaways Guide (sponsored by Minnesota Rusco) details special day deals, freebies
and places to sign up for the chance to win prizes.

Free Entertainment, Exhibits and Attractions

• Survival: The Exhibition, the immersive and engaging wilderness exhibit for all ages, debuts in North End Event
Center and is free with fair admission. More information: mnstatefair.org/new-this-year/attraction/
• Nightly fireworks spectacular (sponsored by Mazda)
• Live music and entertainment lineup features more than 900 shows throughout the fairgrounds including the
Cosgrove Stage (sponsored by Allina Health çAetna) where community groups perform; The Timberworks
Lumberjack and All-Star Stunt Dogs Splash shows at The North Woods (sponsored by Good Health Saunas);
Family-friendly entertainment at the Family Fair Stage (sponsored by Green Mill Restaurant) at Baldwin Park and
more. Additional information: mnstatefair.org/free-live-music-and-shows/
• The daily parade at 2 p.m. features the high school marching band competition
• Dog agility demonstrations outside the Pet Pavilions
• Learn more and get inspired at free exhibits like the Eco Experience (sponsored by Xcel Energy), DNR and Moo
Booth
• Many free things to do with young fair fans at exhibits like Alphabet Forest, Math On-A-Stick and more.
Additional information: mnstatefair.org/general-info/kids-guide/
• FAN Central (sponsored by Xfinity) features local sports teams and merchandise
• A wide variety of horses can be seen daily throughout the fair in the Horse Barn and also competing as part of the
Minnesota State Fair Horse Show, as well as two horse education exhibits (Aisle of Breeds and EquiMania!TM), free
with fair admission.
• Swine at the State Fair (sponsored by USDA/Protect Our Pigs) features a host of competitive events in 4-H, FFA
and open class categories, along with a sow and piglets and the winner of the fair’s largest boar competition
• The finest needlework, handcrafts, baking and canning that Minnesota has to offer presented in the Creative
Activities Building, along with the Cambria Kitchen, home to daily demonstrations
• Fruit, wine, Christmas tree, crop art, flower, vegetable, potato, bee & honey contests along with the Giant Pumpkin
Contest in the Agriculture Horticulture Building (sponsored by Bremer Bank)
• Shopping, specialty merchants and unique artisans are plentiful on the fairgrounds at: The Grandstand Exhibit
Building (sponsored by Sleep Number), which has two levels of more than 160 vendors; Creative Activities
Annex; Family Fair at Baldwin Park; International Bazaar, Home Improvement Building (sponsored by
LeafFilter); Merchandise Mart and more. More information: mnstatefair.org/general-info/shopping-destinations/
• The Dairy Building (sponsored by Paddle North), which is home to the famed Princess Kay butter sculptures and
malts and sundaes, as well as several vendors selling outdoor gear, home improvement merchandise, wool products
and more
• The DIRT demonstration stage (sponsored by DISH) located in the Agriculture Horticulture Building offers free
sessions from master gardeners, florists, lawn enthusiasts and other outdoor experts
• Thank a Farmer Magic Show (presented by Minnesota Livestock Breeders’ Association and the Minnesota Farm
Bureau Foundation) on the Christensen Farms Stage, where children of all ages learn about the role agriculture
plays in our daily lives
• The Kemps Little Farm Hands agricultural education experience (sponsored by Kemps, Cub, Cargill and
Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
• Karaoke and music in The Garden (sponsored by Treasure Island Resort & Casino)

Free Information & Guest Services

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 Humana) stocked with free maps
(sponsored by Star Tribune), daily schedules and free ID wristbands to help reunite lost children and vulnerable adults with their families or guardians; a free Wi-Fi hotspot at the west Grandstand Plaza (sponsored by DragNFly Wireless); First Aid Stations (sponsored by Regions Hospital) located on the east and west ends of the fairgrounds; and more.

For more information about planning your day at the fair, special discount days, bargains and up-to-date information on the Minnesota State Fair, visit mnstatefair.org.

The Minnesota State Fair is one of the largest and best-attended expositions in the world. Showcasing Minnesota’s
finest agriculture, art and industry, the Great Minnesota Get-Together is 12 Days of Fun Ending Labor Day. The 2022
Minnesota State Fair runs Aug. 25 – Labor Day, Sept. 5. Visit mnstatefair.org for more information.

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