Issue: 63 | January 21, 2025 | |
Minnesota State Agricultural Society’s Annual Meeting Looks Ahead to 2025 Minnesota State Fair | |
At its 166th annual meeting, the Minnesota State Agricultural Society board, governing body of the Minnesota State Fair, approved a total of more than $20.1 million to support critical projects aimed at improving the State Fairgrounds and enhancing the guest experience for years to come. The 2025 budget includes $13.9 million for the first phase of major renovation work on the Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum. The Minnesota State Fair is financially self-supporting and fully funds all operational and facility maintenance and capital improvements across its expansive 322-acre grounds. The Society’s annual meeting was held Jan. 16-19 at the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton in Bloomington, Minn. | |
Significant Investment in Facilities and Operations
Among the most notable projects the State Fair will undertake in 2025 and 2026 is a highly impactful investment, totaling an estimated $22 million, in the historic Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum, the first significant update in the building’s almost 75-year history. This iconic structure is the centerpiece of youth and open-class livestock and horse exhibitions and dozens of year-round events. This project will enhance the experience for tens of thousands of guests and benefit exhibitors who travel from across the state. Planned upgrades include replacing the leaking roof, modernizing mechanical and electrical systems, installing new seats and railings in the seating area, expanding restroom capacity, renovating entryways, and improving lighting, ventilation and accessibility.
Additionally, in 2025, the State Fair is investing $6.2 million in dozens of upkeep and capital projects essential to maintaining the functionality, safety and long-term viability of the fairgrounds. These include: Replacing the roof of the 4-H Building, upgrading fencing and gate areas, revamping the Creative Activities Annex, caring for and adding trees throughout the grounds, purchasing a police squad car, continuing upgrades to Christensen Pavilion, replacing and repairing sidewalks and street pavement, upgrading the fiber optic system, improving building lighting and maintaining street lights, installing and replacing water bottle refill stations and drinking fountains, purchasing misting machines and trash compactors, maintaining the sewer system, plus additional roof repair, painting, ventilation, landscaping, vehicle maintenance and computer hardware projects.
The board approved the 2025 State Fair operating and maintenance budget reflecting expenses of $71 million. Like many businesses, the State Fair is not immune to rising costs across all areas of its operation. For example:
- Public safety: The State Fair’s robust public safety program, which has more than doubled in cost since 2019, includes additional on-site officers, enhanced gate security, and other measures involving agencies at the local, state and federal levels.
- Transportation services: Providing free and discounted transportation options is a $4.4 million annual expense and remains a cornerstone of our guest service efforts.
- Staff wages: The fair prioritizes providing competitive wages for its more than 2,000 seasonal and fair-time staff members who are integral to the guest experience in a variety of areas encompassing sanitation, parking, ticketing, guest services, activities and exhibit offerings, and more.
- Entertainment: High-quality entertainment on the fair’s free stages, plus hundreds of demonstrations, competitions and educational and agricultural exhibitions, are a hallmark of the Minnesota State Fair, and the cost of presenting these has continued to rise.
| |
Ticket Price Increase to Fund Facilities Work
To fund extensive capital improvements and maintenance work and address rising operational costs after not increasing ticket prices in 2024, the Society is set to implement a $2 admission ticket increase in each category for the 2025 State Fair.
- Pre-fair discount admission tickets for all ages Jan. 27 through Aug. 20: $17
- Regular fair-time admission at the gate: Adults (ages 13-64) - $20; Seniors (65+) and Kids (ages 5-12) - $18; Children (4 and under) – always free
- Promotional day discounts will continue to be offered on Opening Day, Aug. 21; Seniors Days, Aug. 25 and 28; Military Appreciation Day, Aug. 26; and Kids Days, Aug. 27 and Sept. 1. See mnstatefair.org for details.
From now through Sunday, Jan. 26, pre-fair discount admission tickets are on sale at the 2024 price of $15. These tickets are available at Etix.com and are valid any day of the fair and for any age. Limit 12 per customer.
On-site parking will be $25 in 2025, up from $20. State Fair-sponsored Park & Ride service and on-site bike parking will continue to be free.
This marks the first ticket and parking price increase since 2023, when admission rose $1 and parking rose $3.
“Our goal is to exceed the expectations that guests and fair participants have for an exceptional experience in well-maintained facilities. Delivering on this while ensuring the sustainability of our operations requires increased investment and financial stewardship,” said Renee Alexander, State Fair CEO. “We consciously did not raise ticket and parking prices last year because we know that Minnesotans’ budgets are tight,” Alexander continued. “We encourage our guests to take advantage of the many ways to save on admission – such as buying pre-fair discount tickets – as nearly 60 percent of our guests did in 2024. Because we strive to keep admission prices as low as we can, this makes it challenging to account for the expense of improving our aging facilities and infrastructure. We do not take lightly the decision to increase prices, and every dollar earned is reinvested into ensuring the State Fair remains a premier experience and one of the best values you’ll find for any event.”
| |
Ag Society Board Members Elected
In other business at the annual meeting, Wally Wichmann of Balaton, Minn., was re-elected to a second one-year term as president of the Society. Kent Harbison of Roseville, Minn., was re-elected to a two-year term as State Fair board vice president representing the Society’s fourth regional district. Jeff Hawkins of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., and Ray Erspamer of Hibbing, Minn., were each re-elected to three-year terms representing the Society’s second and eighth districts respectively.
The State Agricultural Society is made up of delegates from each of the state’s county fairs, plus representatives of more than 40 statewide associations representing agriculture, horticulture and education. The Society is charged exclusively with the production of the annual Minnesota State Fair and management of the historic 322-acre State Fairgrounds.
| |
Kickoff to Summer at the Fair Returns!
Back for its fifth year, Kickoff to Summer at the Fair returns over Memorial Day Weekend! This slice-of-the-fair event features fair food and brews at nearly 40 vendors, music and entertainment free with admission, shopping at 20+ specialty Minnesota merchants, Giant Slide rides, games, history tours, free parking, and so much more!
To make this event experience extra special, attendance for each day is limited.
Thursday, May 22: 4-9 p.m.
Friday, May 23: 4-9 p.m.
Saturday, May 24: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 25: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Complete event details and ticket information will be announced in early April. Stay tuned for more!
Proudly Sponsored By
| |
Save the Date – Milk Run 5K!
The Minnesota State Fair Milk Run 5K will once again be held in conjunction with the Kickoff to Summer at the Fair event. Join the fun on Saturday, May 24, at 9 a.m., as this certified course takes runners throughout the entire fairgrounds, winding its way amongst the iconic buildings and attractions.
Interested? Don’t let this info go in one ear and out the udder! Mark your calendar - online registration for the 2025 Minnesota State Fair Milk Run opens Tuesday, March 4, at 10 a.m. This popular race is limited to the first 2,000 entrants, so early registration is recommended. Deadline for entry is Tuesday, March 25, or when the race reaches capacity, whichever comes first.
To get Milk Run reminders delivered to your inbox, sign up for our Milk Run email list.
Find more details, including the online registration link (once registration opens), on the Milk Run website page.
Proudly Sponsored By
| |
Minnesota State Agricultural Society’s Newest Life Member
One of the Minnesota State Agricultural Society’s highest honors is election to life membership in the Society. Chuck Schwartau of Goodhue, Minn., was elected to honorary life membership in the Society during its annual meeting Jan. 19, 2025. Schwartau began his involvement with the Minnesota State Fair in 1963 as a youngster participating in the 4-H swine competition. He went on to a career with the University of Minnesota Extension Service, which has kept him involved with 4-H at the fair every year since. Even during a seven-year period away from the university, he judged 4-H exhibits and demonstrations at the fair. Upon returning to the Extension Service in 1985, he worked with, and often managed, various 4-H livestock shows and has been involved with the 4-H Dairy Show every year since 1986. In 1986, Schwartau joined the staff of the fair’s Open Class Beef Show and led it as superintendent from 1992 to 2021. His main goal in those 35 years was to provide the most positive experience possible for exhibitors and the visiting public. Even after official retirement, he worked with the new department leadership for a smooth transition. Over the years, Schwartau has been a director and president of the Minnesota Federation of County Fairs, a director and secretary for the Goodhue County Fair for 32 years, an active member of First Lutheran Church in Red Wing, and township clerk for Featherstone Township in Goodhue County. He proudly adds this honorary life membership recognition to his Minnesota State Fair 50 Year Award, which he received in 2015.
| |
Join Our Team!
We’re already looking ahead to summer and a variety of departments will be hiring summer employees and interns – many begin work in the spring or early summer and continue through September. For examples of summer positions, check out the employment page on our website. Plus, sign up to receive employment email updates. When details are available, we'll send you information on open opportunities and how and when to apply.
Visit the State Fair career portal for job postings. Available opportunities will be updated throughout the summer.
| |
Host Your Next Event at the North End Event Center!
Looking for the perfect place to host your next event? Look no further than the North End Event Center available for non-fair time rentals. This facility is the ideal location for corporate parties and meetings, galas, luncheons and more! Located on the north end of the fairgrounds with convenient parking and an a la carte menu of labor, equipment, catering, security and ticketing services, the North End Event Center is sure to be a hit with your guests! Learn more on our facility rental webpage.
| |
Program Honors Multi-Generation Family Farms |
Century Farms, a partnership between the Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Farm Bureau, recognizes Minnesota farms that have been in continuous family ownership for at least 100 years, are 50 acres or more, and are currently involved in agricultural production. Each year, typically more than 100 farms are honored as Century Farms, bringing the total to more than 11,000 farms that have been recognized since the program began in 1976. Century Farm recipients receive an outdoor sign designating the farm as a “Century Farm” and a certificate signed by the governor of Minnesota and presidents of the Minnesota Farm Bureau and the Minnesota State Fair.
Applications for recognition in 2025 as a Century Farm are due March 3.
Farms celebrating 150 years or more of continuous ownership are invited to apply through the Minnesota Farm Bureau for Sesquicentennial Farm recognition. To date, more than 450 farms have been honored as such.
| |
Photos Highlighting Bee & Honey Exhibit Receive First Place Award | During the recent International Association of Fairs & Expositions awards contest, the Minnesota State Fair took home several awards, including first place for a photo series highlighting the bee & honey exhibit in the Agriculture Horticulture Building at the 2024 State Fair. Congratulations to the team at Linde’s Livestock Photography for being recognized with this honor! | |
Upcoming Events at the Fairgrounds | |
Looking to make the best of the snow and ice and embrace Minnesota winter?! Look no further! The Minnesota State Fairgrounds is home to a variety of events that bring winter-time fun to you, including Ice Castles, the Vulcan Snow Park featuring the Minnesota State Snow Sculpting Competition, and the Winter Beer Dabbler. For more information, check out our State Fairgrounds Events Calendar.
More Events
January
21-Feb. 17: Ice Castles
24-26: Legacy Luau Gymnastics Invitational (Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum)
24-Feb. 2: Vulcan Snow Park and Minnesota State Snow Sculpting Competition
26: Saint Paul Winter Carnival Fire & Ice Run/Walk (North End Event Center)
February
1-2, 7-8: Minnesota Blizzard FC Indoor Soccer (Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum)
22: Winter Beer Dabbler
28-March 2: Twin Cities Regional Science Fairs (Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum)
March
7-9: George’s Minnesota Muskie Expo (Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum)
20-23: Saint Paul Osman Shrine Circus (Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum)
| |
Before you know it, the sun will be setting on winter and long summer
days at the fair will be here!
| | | | |