Countdown to the 145th Minnesota State Fair (August 27-September 7, 2009)

August 4, 12:21 AMMinneapolis Day Trips ExaminerDale Van Every

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Minnesotans of all ages love the State Fair

Minnesotans are crazy ‘bout their fair, and with good reason. It’s one of the largest in the United States (THE largest by daily attendance),  it highlights everything that’s great about our great state, and it’s the home of more than 120 different foods-on-a-stick. 

The Mighty Midway has a wide variety of diversions for fair-goers

The 2009 Minnesota State Fair is just 3 weeks away, and a day at the fair is the ultimate day trip, no contest. So here at Examiner’s Minneapolis Day Trips, everything you need to know about “the great Minnesota get-together,” (12 days of fun ending Labor Day) is at your fingertips. Included on this page is the basic state fair info: hours of operation, parking and transportation options, and where to get coupons in advance.

The fairgrounds grandstand, scene of past performances of everyone from Willie Nelson to Bob Dylan, is 100 years old in 2009! For this year’s lineup of acts check here. If you’re already hankerin’ for some fair food, check out what’s new this year here. Checking back here as the fair approaches, you will find articles on the Minnesota State Fair on a Budget, the Minnesota State Fair for Kids, Minnesota State Fair History and Trivia. So bookmark and check back! Better yet…subscribe to a feed, and be notified when those upcoming articles appear in the next days. 

A different mood settles over the fairgrounds at night

2009 Minnesota State Fair dates & hours

Opens: Thursday, August 27^th (6 am)

Closes: Monday, September 7^th (Labor Day), 2009 10 pm (last gate entry)

 Minnesota State Fair Hours of Operation:

Fairgrounds 6 a.m. to midnight, 10 p.m.

Outside Gates 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., 9 p.m.

 Designated days and deals:

Thursday, Aug. 27• Thrifty Thursday / Reduced admission–Adults (13 & over) $9; Kids (5–12)$6.

Friday, Aug. 28• Governor’s Fire Prevention Day / Early Bird Specials until 1 p.m. on Mighty Midway

Saturday, Aug. 29• 4-H Day

Sunday, Aug. 30 • FAN Central Day

Monday, Aug. 31 • Seniors, Kids & MN State Patrol Day  Reduced admission–Seniors (65 & over) and               Kids (5–12) $6.

Tuesday, Sept. 1 • Ticket Deal Tuesday / Adults (13 & over) admitted for $9. 

Wednesday, Sept. 2 • Read & Ride Day  Public Library cardholders receive a discount off regular gate

          admission when they purchase a ticket at the gate. 

Thursday, Sept. 3 • Seniors Day Today’s Deals: Seniors (65 & over) admitted for $6. 

Friday, Sept. 4 • MPR Day

Saturday, Sept. 5 • FFA Day  A myriad of FFA judging events take place 

Sunday, Sept. 6 • State Fair Foundation Day

Monday, Sept. 7 • Kids & Last Chance Day  Kids (5–12) admitted for $6. All-day discounts are offered on

Mighty Midway and Kidway rides, games and concessions. Merchandise and

food vendors offer Last Chance bargains all day.

Pre-Fair Discount Ticket Pricing

Pre-Fair through Aug. 26

• All pre-fair discount admission tickets - $9 •

• Pre-fair Blue Ribbon Bargain Books - $4

Pre-fair discount admission tickets, Mighty Midway and Kidway ride and game tickets and Blue Ribbon Bargain Books are available at the State Fair Box Office, participating Cub Foods Stores and numerous locations in greater Minnesota and Western Wisconsin through Aug. 26. For a complete list of pre-fair discount ticket sales outlets, call (651)288-4400 or visit www.mnstatefair.org. All pre-fair discount tickets and coupon books may be purchased on-line through 5 p.m. on Aug. 18.

Grandstand tickets have been on sale since April. Tickets are available at

Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, www.ticketmaster.com or by calling

(800)745-3000. 

Fair-Time Admission Ticket Pricing

Aug. 27 through Labor Day, Sept. 7

• Adults (13–64): $11

• Seniors (65 and over): $9

• Kids (5–12): $8

• Children (under 5): Free

 Parking and Park and ride:

 • Auto Parking: $11 or one additional pre-fair discount admission ticket 

 Metro Transit has more than 20 Park & Ride locations around the cities to make your trip to and from the fair easier. The buses will run from 8 am to midnight daily. For all locations, times and further info, check out the MTC Park and Ride WebPage

 For more info: Minnesota State Fair Website