Issue: 66 | July 31, 2025 | | |
Learn what's new at the 2025 Great Minnesota Get-Together!
Soar 180 feet into the sky on the Thunderbird, North America’s tallest portable swing; explore the challenges and triumphs of space exploration at Journey to Space, a hands-on experience in the North End Event Center; plan your perfect fair day with enhanced guest services and expanded accessibility services; shop for merchandise from 37 new vendors – and so much more! The 2025 Great Minnesota Get-Together is just around the corner!
Read the full list of what's new!
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Opening Day is Less Than One Month Away - Plan Your Route to the Fair Now!
Gates to the Great Minnesota Get-Together open in less than one month! Start planning your route to the fair with one of the many free or low-cost transportation options available.
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31 FREE Park & Ride locations: Guests can park for free and ride a free shuttle to and from the fairgrounds from lots closer to the fairgrounds.
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Express Buses: Service from farther-out suburbs provided by Metro Transit, Minnesota Valley Transit Authority and SouthWest Transit lets guests park for free and ride a bus directly to and from the fairgrounds for a small fee.
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Rideshare: Designated drop-off and pick-up points are available for taxis and app-based ride services such as Uber and Lyft.
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Bike parking: Ride your bike to the fair and park in one of three secure bike lots for free.
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On-site vehicle parking: Limited on-site vehicle parking is available for $25.
If you’re planning to drive or take the bus, we recommend having a Plan B in case your chosen lot is full. We know getting to the fairgrounds can be challenging, but please be patient. Our staff is working hard to make your trip as convenient and hassle-free as possible.
Learn more about transportation options on our website.
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Renovations Underway at the Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum
Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum is in the midst of a multiyear renovation, totaling an estimated $22 million, 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.
To date, extensive behind-the-scenes improvements have been made, including replacing the leaking roof and modernizing mechanical and electrical systems. While you might not see these improvements during your visit to the Warner Coliseum during the 2025 State Fair, you will see two new accessibility ramps in the north and south concourses to provide better access to wheelchair seating areas. Plus, wheelchair-accessible seating areas in the arena have been redone to make them easier to enter and navigate.
Work will continue after the 2025 fair to complete the renovations. The second phase of the project will include installing new seats and railings in the seating area, expanding restroom capacity, creating a multipurpose meeting and event space, renovating entryways, improving lighting and ventilation, and further improving accessibility.
Seat Recognition Program
The Minnesota State Fair Foundation is unveiling a new recognition opportunity – and by getting involved, you can help support the Warner Coliseum project! Donors can purchase a name plate on a seat in the arena, and proceeds from this tax-deductible donation will go toward funding continued improvements in the new era of the Coliseum. Learn more at the Minnesota State Fair Foundation booth in the Coliseum, at the Friends of the Fair Pavilion next to the J.V. Bailey House or by visiting the Foundation's website.
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Buy Now and Save on Tickets and Fun Cards!
Buy pre-fair discount admission tickets and SAVE up to $3 each. Tickets are good for any one day of the 2025 fair! Plus, purchase Mighty Midway & Kidway advance discount Fun Cards preloaded with ride & game tickets to save even more. (Quick tip: These make great gifts for anyone with something to celebrate this summer. We even have a printable greeting card to accompany your gift!)
Get your pre-fair discounts through Aug. 20:
PLUS, save even more at Mighty Midway and Kidway with the purchase of a Blue Ribbon Bargain Book!
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Journey to Space Exhibit Lands at the North End Event Center
Imagine a future when Earth is no longer the only planet we call home! Stop by Journey to Space – a new, free hands-on exhibit for 2025. Get a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of space exploration. Experience what it’s like to travel to and be on board the International Space Station. Through a variety of immersive displays, try your hand at some of the engineering feats that support the astronauts who live there. You’ll be amazed at the innovation that makes life and work possible in the unforgiving vacuum of space. Produced by the Science Museum of Minnesota and the California Science Center with support from NASA. Journey to Space is open all 12 days of the fair, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
(8 p.m. Labor Day) in the North End Event Center.
Aug. 21-24 only, NASA adds fun components to the North End Event Center. Led by NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, NASA highlights the future of space exploration and the technologies making it possible. The Evolution of the Spacesuit exhibit features five full-scale spacesuits from historic, present and future space missions. Get an up-close look at a moon rock from the Apollo 15 mission. Meet NASA Deputy Chief Flight Director and Albert Lea High School Graduate Michael Lammers, and so much more! NASA will be at the State Fair, Aug. 21-24 only, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., in the North End Event Center.
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Don’t Miss Out on Visiting Your Favorite Animals!
Want to visit your favorite animals during your trip to the fair? Plan ahead and know your barn hours! 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. We recommend visiting the livestock area early in the day, especially on Aug. 24, Aug. 28 and Sept. 1. In addition, please note that, due to the large number of horses and exhibitors participating in competitions, the Horse Barn will close early Aug. 21-25 and be closed all day on Aug. 26.
After visiting the barns, don’t forget to stop by a hand washing station located by most barn entrances and exits to thoroughly wash your hands before indulging in your favorite fair foods!
Visit our website to check out the barn schedule.
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Volunteer at the State Fair and Get Free Admission!
The Great Minnesota Get-Together would not be possible without the help of numerous volunteers! These essential folks are what make many of our exhibits memorable and engaging. No expertise required, and we’re looking for anyone with a willingness to help your fellow fair fans make the most of their day! Most shifts are two to three hours, with plenty of time to enjoy the fair before or after your shift. Each volunteer receives a FREE admission ticket to the fair!
Some of the volunteer opportunities available include:
Alphabet Forest: At this favorite destination for families and children, help with photo opportunities, alphabet games and easy crafts.
The Common Table: Introducing Minnesotans to the idea of local, sustainable food, this uniquely designed destination in the Agriculture Horticulture Building needs volunteers to help visitors try the interactive exhibits.
EquiMania!™: At this award-winning exhibit in the Horse Barn, visitors take photos on a model horse, wrap a model horse’s leg and try a variety of easy activities to learn more about horses. Equine knowledge is not required. Volunteers receive a free T-shirt.
Kemps Little Farm Hands: Designed for kids ages 3-10, this pint-size mock farm experience lets the little ones plant seeds and feed pretend animals as they learn where their food comes from. Volunteers help them along the way. Free T-shirt too!
Math On-A-Stick: This exhibit is a welcoming space where kids and grown-ups can explore fun math concepts. Volunteers help visitors sort, count, arrange and match with reptile-shaped tiles, colored eggs and more.
Sign up solo or with friends, family, co-workers or members of a group you're a part of! Thanks for pitching in to make this Great Minnesota Get-Together even greater!
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Make the Most Out of Your State Fair Visit with Accessibility Services
The State Fair provides a variety of accessibility services to help guests enjoy a full day at the Great Minnesota Get-Together. Check out the list of services below and visit our Accessibility Guide, sponsored by Momentum Refresh, to learn more.
- Various ASL-interpreted shows (schedule changes daily!) and interpreters on-site from 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Plus, additional ASL services available upon request with two weeks advance notice.
- Pre-recorded audio description of select works in the crop art and fine arts exhibits and audio description for select performances of MNHS presents History On-A-Schtick. Plus, additional audio description services available upon request with two weeks advance notice.
- Visual assistance using the Aira app on mobile devices.
- Captioning for the Draft Horse Six-Horse Hitch exhibition and select performances of MNHS presents History On-A-Schtick.
- Three locations with adult-size changing tables, including the Momentum Refresh Universal Changing Room with Hoist, KaiBi Mobile Family Care Center and Family & Baby Care.
- Two sensory friendly spaces, including the Fraser Sensory Building and Momentum Refresh.
- Sensory-Friendly Morning on Monday, Aug. 25 at Kidway (9-11 a.m.) and Mighty Midway (10 a.m. to noon).
- Free Park & Ride lot and shuttle service exclusively for those with disabilities and their companions.
- Designated Metro Mobility and rideshare service drop-off and pick-up points.
- Electric scooter and wheelchair rentals at all major gates.
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Discover the Creative Side of the Fair!
Pies, jams and quilts, oh my! Step inside the Creative Activities Building to explore an incredible showcase of talent, from homemade jams and jellies to handcrafted woodworking, weaving and more. With thousands, there’s no shortage of inspiration. New this year, visit the updated demonstration areas for daily presentations and demos from various organizations, including the Weavers Guild of Minnesota!
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Ag-Hort-Bee Competition Registration Closes Soon!
Think your homegrown veggies or honey harvest belong on display? There are just a few days left to register for the Ag-Hort-Bee competitions! Entering is free, and registration is quick and easy online. Visit our website to explore all the categories, judging criteria, important deadlines, and drop-off instructions. Questions? Our competition team is here to help! Reach out to competition@mnstatefair.org or 651-288-4417. We can’t wait to see what you’ve been growing, crafting and creating!
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Watch This Website Page for Updates
Need a go-to source for important fair news? Visit the Updates page on our website as the starting point to find announcements. This page will be updated as needed. Check back throughout the summer and during the Great Minnesota Get-Together!
And use these helpful links to find more information to plan your day at the fair!
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Get Together With Your Group at the Fair!
The Great Minnesota Get-Together is the perfect backdrop for birthday and anniversary celebrations, reunions, company picnics, weddings and receptions and team-building events – any summer get-together.
While you’re at the fair, gather your group at the Horton Pavilions at Heffron Park. This private, covered event space is secluded from the hustle and bustle, but still close enough to the action. The affordable hourly rental price of the Horton Pavilions at Heffron Park includes tables and chairs, group activities and a staff person to help with day-of hospitality. Additional services such as catering and audio/visual production are available for an added fee. Learn more about bringing your group to the fair.
Contact us now to check fair-time availability – call 651-288-4400 or email groups@mnstatefair.org.
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Coming to the Fairgrounds
August
- 21-Sept. 1: Minnesota State Fair
September
- 13: Model Railroad Show & Sale at Education Building
- 14: Viking Motorcycle Swap Meet at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds
- 20-21: Anime Wonder at Education Building
- 20-21: State 4-H Dog Show at 4-H Building
- 20-21: Twin Cities Mission Furniture & 20th Century Design Show at North End Event Center
- 27: Twin Cities True Vintage Show – Fall at Progress Center
- 27-28: Antique Spectacular Fall Show at Education Building
- 27-28: The Minnesota Mineral Club Annual Rock, Mineral + Gem Show at Dairy Building
- 28: Roadsters Swap Meet at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds
October
- 3-4: Twin Cities Oktoberfest at Progress Center
- 9-11: Curio Brands Warehouse Sale at Education Building
- 11: Woodworkers Expo at Progress Center
- 11-12: FallCon at Grandstand
Check out our State Fairgrounds Event Calendar for event details and updates. Information subject to change.
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