Issue: 48 | March 25, 2021
Minnesota State Fair Mascots
Spring Is Here – and Our Marvelous Mascots Couldn’t
Be More Excited! 
We’re looking ahead to the 2021 Great Minnesota Get-Back-Together and continuing to plan with hope, care and caution. Fingers crossed!

Fun facts about our furry fair friends: 
In 1966, Fairchild the gopher became the official mascot of the State Fair and was joined by his nephew, Fairborne, in 1983. Fairchild got his name, a play on our title, after a statewide naming contest. It’s also a tribute to Henry S. Fairchild, the man who suggested the Ramsey County Poor Farm become the permanent site of the State Fair. (Pro tip: To help you remember who is Fairborne and who is Fairchild, think “B” in Fairborne = blue stripes.)
State Fair Greenhouse Is “Springing” Into Action 
The to-do list is long these days at the State Fair Greenhouse, operated year-round by our full-time staff. Pulverized, sterilized topsoil is combined with soilless potting mix to make soil for planting (yes, we make our own soil!). Succulents for the Liberty Bell and Gates Ajar gardens, dieffenbachia, geraniums and a variety of flowering plants are growing from cuttings. Eucalyptus, lavender, herbs, vegetables and annuals are starting from seeds. Eighty wood boxes are being prepared to house succulents as part of the living green wall that will be showcased in the Agriculture Horticulture Building during the State Fair (pictured above, right).

Plus, elephant ear plants and cannas are bursting from bulbs. The canna bulbs were dug up from fairgrounds gardens in the fall, then stored over the winter. They were planted in sand in February, and after a month (shown above, left), they are almost ready to move to pots. This summer, the cannas will make their way to gardens across the fairgrounds. 
Minnesota State Fair Scholarship Program Recipients
Scholarship Program Continues in 2021 
Applications and instructions will be available April 1 for the Minnesota State Fair Scholarship and Christensen Family Scholarship. Twenty youth from greater Minnesota or those enrolled in an agriculture program will be awarded $1,000 each. This year the scholarships will be funded by the Minnesota State Fair Foundation, as in 2020, when the outstanding recipients included these young people:

“With the unique situation given to the world with COVID-19, my freshman year of college was nothing what I expected. However, the Minnesota State Fair Scholarship made an impact on my education by giving me an opportunity to learn and grow from this experience while pursuing my nursing degree by covering a portion of my tuition. For that, I am extremely grateful to have been selected as a recipient of the 2020 Minnesota State Fair Scholarship.” - Jessica Beckendorf, Renville 

“The Minnesota State Fair Scholarship allowed me to focus more on my schoolwork rather than a part-time job. Overall, this scholarship helped lighten the load of tuition and is allowing me to reap the full benefits of my college education by taking some of the financial weight off my shoulders.” - Emily Jopp, Richmond 
 
“The Minnesota State Fair Scholarship has without a doubt aided me in pursuing my future academic and career goals.” - Isaac Rott, Elgin

In addition, Christensen Farms, one of the largest family-owned pork producers in the nation, will award a $1,000 Christensen Family Scholarship through an endowment with the Minnesota State Fair Foundation. 
Compact Pole Fishing
Only Days Left for Online Marketplace Shopping 
With spring almost here, visit the State Fair Online Marketplace for cheery gifts and wares and fun finds to fuel your outdoor hobbies and home improvement projects. Keep your eye out for specials! Here are some featured vendors:


Hurry! The State Fair Online Marketplace closes March 31. Thank you for supporting our vendors!
BOGO Sale on State Fair Face Masks
Now’s the time to add State Fair masks and gaiters to your collection! A variety of styles are buy-one, get-one free – plus free shipping – at StateFairWear.com. While you’re browsing, check out dozens of State Fair-branded T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, cups and novelties. There’s even a special clearance section!
State Fair Face Masks
Bandshell Stage Is Available for Your Talented Group
Looking for a unique stage setting to showcase your group with plenty of space for your audience? The iconic Bandshell at the State Fairgrounds is available for rent! We offer great rates, free parking, friendly and helpful staff, a convenient location easily accessible from anywhere in the Twin Cities metro, and an affordable a la carte menu of rental equipment and services.
Celebrating Generations of Minnesota Family Farms 
Ljungren Farm
This year, 124 farms will receive the distinguished honor of being named a Century Farm by the Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Farm Bureau. Since the Century Farm program began in 1976, nearly 11,000 Minnesota farms have been recognized for continuous family ownership of at least 100 years. Qualifying farms must also be 50 acres or more and currently involved in agricultural production. 

Among this year’s honorees is the Charles and Esther Ljungren Farm in Sebeka, in Ottertail County. Albert, Charles’ father, purchased 160 acres in 1921. Now 320 acres, the dairy farm also had corn, oats, alfalfa, pigs and chickens. Charles and his wife, Esther, became owners in 1957. They still live in the farmhouse where Charles was born 95 years ago and enjoy vegetables from their garden every summer. (Photo, right, courtesy of the Ljungren family: Unusable hay found another purpose and brightened the day of passersby in 1999.)
Another Century Farm honoree is Dobberstein Farms. After being wounded in World War I and honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, Henry Dobberstein purchased 80 acres in Buffalo Lake, located in Renville County, in 1919. While farming wheat, alfalfa, corn, oats and soy beans and raising dairy cattle, hogs and chickens, Henry was an outstanding community leader, serving numerous organizations, including the Buffalo Lake School Board for more than 25 years. Henry and his wife, Ida, owned the farm for 47 years. In 1966, Henry’s son, Lea, became the owner and expanded the farm to 600 acres. For the past seven years, Lea’s widow, Meridee, has owned the farm. (Photo, above, courtesy of the Dobberstein family: Original homestead, including many original buildings, 1950s.)

Information on all Century Farms will be available at the Minnesota Farm Bureau exhibit during the 2021 Minnesota State Fair. A database of all Minnesota Century Farms is also available at fbmn.org.

State Fair and Sports Team Merchandise Clearance Sale May 7-8! 
Save up to 70 percent on a giant selection of apparel, accessories and novelties from the State Fair and your favorite hometown sports teams. This ever-popular bargain bonanza returns 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, May 7, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 8. Stop by Visitors Plaza on the corner of Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street on the State Fairgrounds.

A portion of all proceeds benefits the Minnesota State Fair Foundation mission to preserve and improve State Fair buildings, fairgrounds and educational programs. (Merchandise availability subject to change.)
Employment News Coming Soon 
We’ve added features to the employment webpage to help interested applicants learn more about the types of jobs typically available each year. Under “More Information,” click on “Examples of Summer Job Opportunities” and “Examples of Fair-Time Opportunities.” Plus, sign up to receive employment email updates, and we’ll let you know when jobs are posted.
Throwback Thursdays Feature State Fair History 
Fairchild
We highlight photos and fun facts from the fair’s 160-plus-year history each #ThrowbackThursday on social media. Follow along at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! Pictured here, courtesy of Art Tourangeau of Wayzata: Do you remember greeting our mascot Fairchild in the 1980s? 
“It was one of her last requests, and we thought this was a good way to have her celebrated.” 
Brianna Franke Foundation Bench
Brianna Franke not only loved coming to the fair with friends and family, she worked three different jobs – at Epiphany Diner, the Skyride and the Grandstand. Brianna learned she had breast cancer when she was pregnant with twins. In this video, her friend and brother share Brianna’s story and how a memorial bench at the State Fair celebrates her. “You want to find more positive things to remember them, something that they loved to do that you can keep sharing with them moving forward,” remembers Brianna’s brother, Brandon. 

Commemorative benches are available through the Minnesota State Fair Foundation. To have a bench in place for the 2021 State Fair, donations must be received by June 1, 2021.
Creating a Lasting Legacy to Support State Fair Competitions
Reinking / Edel Foundation Endowment
A friend introduced Dee Reinking and Sara Edel to the Minnesota State Fair Foundation in 2008 by inviting them to attend the organization’s annual Taste of the Fair event. Impressed by what they learned, they became Friends of the Fair the following year and have remained loyal supporters and volunteers for the Foundation ever since. 

Dee, a retired human resources director, and Sara, a a faculty member at Century College, have created two endowments that will support the Foundation’s mission beyond the couple’s lifetimes. One endowment will benefit a wide range of competitions at the fair, and the other will go toward academic scholarships that the Foundation offers to students who compete at the fair. “The competitions are what make the fair the fair,” said Sara. “We want to support the Foundation’s mission by making sure that young people continue to participate in the fair, cherish its rich history and develop leadership and teamwork skills.”

Visit the Foundation’s website for more information about gift planning – whether you may be considering remembering the Minnesota State Fair Foundation in your will or retirement plan or establishing a gift that also provides income to you during your lifetime.
Coming to the Fairgrounds
Casting Crowns
Event Spotlight: Casting Crowns Drive-In Concert
Relish a return to live music with “A Night Under the Stars,” a live, socially distanced, drive-in concert by chart-topping Christian rock band Casting Crowns. Presented by 98.5 KTIS radio, the event is Saturday, April 24, at 8 p.m. 


Other Upcoming Events

March
26-28: Xcel Bronze and Silver State Gymnastics Meet at Warner Coliseum

April
9-11: Level 3-4-5 Minnesota State Gymnastics Championships at Warner Coliseum
24: Minnesota Half-Arabian Horse Association Spring Horse Show at Compeer Arena
24: Casting Crowns Concert at the Robin Lot off Randall Avenue
24-25: Body Mind Spirit Celebration at the North End Event Center
30-May 2: Sahara Sands Spring Classic Arabian Horse Show at Warner Coliseum

May
6-9: Friends of the American Saddlebred Horse (FASH) Horse Show at Warner Coliseum
7-8: State Fair and Sports Team Merchandise Clearance Sale at Visitors Plaza
15-23: Twin Cities Auto Show at the State Fairgrounds

Check out our State Fairgrounds Event Calendar for event details and updates. Information subject to change.
Tickets Available for Grandstand Concerts
Miranda Lambert: Aug. 26, 2021
 
The Doobie Brothers - 50th Anniversary Tour featuring Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald, Pat Simmons, John McFee with special guest Dirty Dozen Brass Band: Aug. 31, 2021
 
Tim McGraw with special guest Midland: Sept. 1, 2021
 
NF - The Search Tour: Sept. 2, 2021
 
Darci Lynne & Friends: Fresh Out of the Box Tour with special guest Okee Dokee Brothers: Sept. 6, 2021
 
Looking forward to making more memories at the Great Minnesota Get-Back-Together
Looking forward to making more memories at the
Great Minnesota Get-Back-Together!

Aug. 26 – Sept. 6, 2021