In Minnesota it Snows

OK, I have the 12 days of Christmas song out of my head and it has been replaced by the Let it Snow, Let it Snow tune because it just won’t stop snowing! It is Minnesota and as a life long resident I am used to snow and I do enjoy it…for a little while, but I am so tired of shoveling and I am so tired of stomping off my boots when I enter the house. Is it summer yet? Is it time for the Great Minnesota Get together? I hope Santa brings us plenty of good weather and extra greasy cheese curds. Mmmmm…I am dreaming of a State Fair Christmas! Here is a message board that gives us Minnesotans pointers on where to find Cheese Curds on the Fair off-season.

Minnesota State Fair Song

It’s that time of year when I start listening to Christmas music. I just heard the 12 days of Christmas song and I thought to myself…if I was really clever and talented, I would write a parody called the 12 days of the MN State Fair – wouldn’t that be fun and appropriate since the fair lasts twelve days. They do call it the twelve days of fun ending on Labor Day.

How would I start my minnesota state fair song? Hmmm…On the first day of State Fair, my true love gave to me, some sunglasses so I could see…On the second day of State fair, my true love gave to me two corn dogs and some sunglasses so I could see…

I will work on the rest of the verses in time for the 2008 great Minnesota get together! Yes, it’s true, I love the Minnesota State Fair enough to write a song about it! Check back to my blog, you never know what I will think of next!

Brad Paisley Tickets

I got pretty good Brad Paisley Tickets – I am in the 15th row on the main plaza. It looks pretty good on the State Fair Seating Chart and when I was at the grandstand last year I remember thinking that most of the first 20 rows on the plaza looked like good seats.

I bought three tickets and I am looking forward to the summer night out at the fair. I am giving a pair of tickets to my daughter for Christmas so that means I will be screaming I love you Brad along with my daughter and one of her friends. Now the real question is will the fair get the Paisley tickets to me in time to put them under the tree?????

Brad Paisley Ticket Sale

Brad Paisley tickets go on sale this Saturday! I can’t wait! I know that August feels a long way off, especially with a looming snow storm on the radar, but State Fair Concert tickets are hitting the streets and it’s a sign of happy warm summer days to come. I have to admit I have asked Santa for a pair of really good Brad Paisley tickets. If there aren’t any good ones on ticketmaster then I will pay the broker fees and get them from Ticket King. See ya at the fair!

BRAD PAISLEY at the Minnesota State Fair GRANDSTAND

The Minnesota State fair is hoping to cash in on holiday spending by announcing their first grandstand concert. Brad Paisley will be at the State Fair Grandstand on Friday August 22nd. Tickets go on sale Saturday December 1st. I have to admit I am a huge Brad Paisley fan and I missed the show last year at the fair, but I won’t be missing it this year and neither should you! Buy Minnesota State Fair Tickets early and give the gift of music this year! The state fair is putting together a great marketing campaign around the show, complete with catchy tag lines like put a little Paisley in your stocking…Brad Paisley of course!

State Fair Corn Dogs

I picked up a pack of State Fair Corn Dogs at the grocery store the other day. They were delicious. Not as good as the original Minnesota State Fair Corn Dogs, but they were an amicable substitute during the blustery November days. Is it summer yet???

State Fairgrounds welcomes High School Hockey

The Minnesota State Fairgrounds plays host to a number of events year-round. Fall and winter mean hockey at the State Fair Coliseum. Minnesota State High School hockey games start just after Thanksgiving on November 24th. It’s appropriate that the Minnesota State Fairground would be host to hockey – Minnesota is known as the state of hockey and of course our fairgrounds represent the moniker. Let’s play hockey!

International Bazaar Building Change

Besides all of the new food on a stick hype next year, the Minnesota State fair will be able to boast a new, larger International Bazaar. The old Bizarre was completely demolished and in it’s place will be an intricate maze of more than 100 sales booths and a new stage area. See ya at the fair!

2008 MN State Fair

Is it too early to start planning for next summer?

RV Storage at the Fairgrounds

Calling all Minnesotans that have RV’s, Boats, Trailers etc. - that’s pretty much every Minnesotan that I know – we do love our recreational toys in this great state, don’t we?! Did you know that you can store your automobiles, trucks, boats, motorhomes, travel trailers, etc. in Minnesota State Fair exhibit and livestock buildings? Yes, you can! The Minnesota State Fair offers storage rental from late October until late March of each year. Check out the rates on the Minnesota State Fair Web Site!

2008 Minnesota State Fair

2008 Minnesota State Fair Dates:

August 21 through Labor Day, September 1, 2008

Always 12 days of fun!

State Fair Looking for Youth Ambassadors

The State Fair is looking for young Minnesotans with a passion for the Great Minnesota Get-Together to serve on the new Minnesota State Fair Advisory Team. This 12-member group will be a voice for younger Minnesotans, and will provide input on interests and trends among young adults. Members will be involved in the planning of future State Fair events and activities, while serving as State Fair ambassadors for their peers.

If you or someone you know is a Minnesota resident and is currently between 16 and 21 years of age and is interested in joining the new Advisory Team, visit http://www.mnstatefair.org/ to download an application. Applications are due October 1st, 2007.

The Advisory Team program will provide young adults with the opportunity to develop valuable leadership skills while learning about the business and operation of the Minnesota State Fair.

1.6 Million People Can’t be Wrong

The Minnesota State Fair is known as the great Minnesota Get Together and with a season ending attendance total of over 1.6 million people, the name can remain. Many Minnesotans joined together at the fairgrounds for great food, great shopping and great entertainment. Buying Minnesota State Fair tickets is always a breeze and I can’t wait to see what next year at the fair brings! Check back to my site for upcoming 2008 state fair announcements! See ya next year at the Minnesota State Fair!

Eat Some New Stuff, but Don’t Forget the Classics

Bob Shaw of the Pioneer Press recently took a trip to the State Fair with the family and scoured for some of the oddest (and best tasting) food at the Fair. What he came up with was a refreshing list of old favorites and new additions to the Fair. For real foodies, Shaw says to seek out the Food Building for the new Nitro ice cream, which is supposedly frozen in different ways than traditional ice cream. Another new and individualistic thing to seek out at the fair according to Shaw is the Beergarita, which is predictably eponymous for a mixture of beer and margarita. This frat-boy sounding concoction can be found at the Tejas stand near Dan Patch and Underwood. Besides these interesting finds, Shaw also said he had soft spots for the classics. One has to get the fried cheese curds, and don’t forget the bucket of Sweet Martha’s Cookies. Get some Minnesota State Fair tickets so you too can scrounge around for the weirdest food and the best deals at the Fair.

Crazy Food is Coming Up

The Minnesota State Fair is finally arriving this weekend, and after months of anticipation, it looks like the new exhibitions, food and activities at this year’s fair aren’t going to disappoint. For the Minnesota State Fair-goer who always wants to stay on top of the latest food creations at the fair, there will be new additions to the (in)famous on-a-stick treats. They include fried fruit, sloppy joes, Rocky Road scones, corned beef, cabbage(?) and Kool-Aid pickles (I have no idea). The fair is also going to apparently offer peanut butter hot dogs, calamari, and Uffda brats.

Storm ravages Fair, but workers plan to clean up in time

Last weekend’s powerful thunder storm roared through the state fair grounds, but don’t worry fair goers, the Great Minnesota Get Together won’t be delayed any this year. Despite overturned trees, blown away vending stands and damage to the grand stand, Fair workers are working hard to make sure clean up is complete by opening day. Don’t forget your favorite sun-blocking hat for the days you visit the fair – you might find out that your favorite shade-providing tree is gone! Hopefully new trees in the area can be planted soon so the Fair can continue to be a pleasant place to spend a day at the end of a long hot Minnesota summer.

Minnesota State Fair Guide

This weekend, the Minnesota State Fair Guide comes out in the local paper. I love spending my Sunday morning pouring over the Fair Activities and Grandstand line-up. The guide is also the best place to read about State Fair deals and discounts. If you need Minnesota State Fair tickets, I would recommend getting them early. The best grandstand seats sell out fast. I know Ticket King, a local Minnesota ticket broker, had great seats to Brad Paisley on August 23rd last month, but now I see most of the good ones are gone (they had the first few rows from the stage) - I think the Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift and Kellie Pickler concert is going to be one of the hottest summer shows of the year. It's a great way to kick off the great Minnesota get together! Buy your Minnesota State Fair concert tickets now and enjoy reading the official state fair guide this weekend!

State Fair = Something for Everyone

As the Minnesota State Fair draws closer, I am realizing how contagious fair fever can be. I asked my niece Kayla to look up some interesting fair facts and write something for my Minnesota State Fair blog and she was glad to do it because she loves the fair as much as I do! Thanks for the article Kayla - you are the best!!!

Kayla writes...

The Minnesota State Fair is a great place for families. From the cheese curds to bands and the rides to booths it's a great place to be. It brings more than a half million visitors a year! It is one of the most popular events in the country with about six stages of entertainment, 25 varieties of foods-on-a-stick, and 1,300 booth exhibits. The Minnesota State Fair has the perfect blend of science, art, food and music. With its food, rides, mural of exhibits and fabulous music acts, the Minnesota State Fair is one of those rare events that does something for everyone! Let's go to the fair!

Fire Prevention Day at the Fair

Governors Fire Prevention day is one of my favorite days at the fair. The ninth annual "Governor's Fire Prevention Day" will take place on Friday, August 24, 2007, bringing the fire safety message to over 100,000 people in a single day. Fire departments from around the state of Minnesota get together to teach fair goers about fire safety. This is the world’s largest public safety event! There are plenty of games and prizes for the kids and the adults! I like to watch the fire explorers put on demonstrations like smoke house and the repel activities. Last year the fair even put on a special salute to armed forces and firefighters from 9-11. Governor Tim Pawlenty was on hand to give a speech and show his respect for those serving our country. Radio personality Amy James from K102 had the honor of introducing the Governor who then orchestrated a moment of silence for the fallen heroes. If you or your family likes to hear bagpipes, this is also the day to come out to the fair. Bring your whole family and spend the day at the fair! Don’t miss the Goo Goo Dolls Concert at the Grandstand Friday night. I can’t wait to see you all at the great Minnesota get –together!

Favorite Fair Food

Every year there are a plethora of Minnesota State Fair Food choices. I must admit I usually enjoy at least one new thing at the fair every year, but for the most part I am a traditionalist. I enjoy Cheese Curds, Corn Dogs and Cotton Candy more than anything else. I also like to comsume a Pork Chop on a stick, Cheese on a stick and a fried candy bar on a stick. It’s no wonder I have to wear elastic shorts the week of the great Minnesota get-together. Whatever your taste buds desire, the Minnesota State Fair is sure to have something to satisfy!

State Fair Official 2007 Cup

Many fair goers collect souvenirs from the fair including the official state fair 32 oz drink cup available at all vendors that serve beverages. Here is a picture of the 2007 official Minnesota State Fair Souvenir Cup:

Discounts at the Fair

Every Minnesotan loves a good bargain and the state fair is no exception. This years SPECIAL DISCOUNT DAYS are:

Thrifty Thursday: August 23; adults (13 and over) $8; kids (5-12) $5; and children under 5 are always FREE! Enjoy all day discounts on Mighty Midway and Kidway rides, games and concessions. GRADNSTAND CONCERT: Brad Paisley

Seniors Day: Monday, August 27; seniors (65 and over) $5. GRANDSTAND CONCERT: Weird Al

Kids Day: Monday, August 27 (5-12) $5; and children under 5 are always FREE! Enjoy all day discounts on Mighty Midway and Kidway rides, games and concessions. GRANDSTAND CONCERT: Weird Al

$8 at the Gate Day: Tuesday, August 28; Everyone (5 and over) $8. GRANDSTAND CONCERT: The Allman Brothers Band

Hop On Transit and Save Day: Wednesday, August 29; State Fair Express Bus fare is just $3 round-trip. Express or regular route bus-riders may request a coupon for $2 off a regular-priced State Fair admission ticket purchased at the gate. Enjoy all day discounts on Mighty Midway and Kidway rides, games and concessions. GRANDSTAND CONCERT: Vince Gill

Seniors Day: Thursday, August 30; seniors (65 and over) $5. GRANDSTAND CONCERT: B.B. King

Kids Day: Monday, September 3; kids (5-12) $5; and children under 5 are always FREE! Enjoy all day discounts on Mighty Midway and Kidway rides, games and concessions. GRANDSTAND CONCERT: Def Leppard


For this state fair lover, more than one trip to the great Minnesota get together is needed. I will be at that fair for sure on opening day there are always great deals and I can’t wait to see Brad Paisley with special guests Jack Ingram, Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift at the Grandstand. I will also be going on Labor Day to get all of those great fair close-out merchant deals and to see Def Leppard with special guests STYX & Foreigner – what a great way to end the 2007 Minnesota State Fair! I can hardly wait! Get your Minnesota State Fair Concert Tickets now!

Fair to Offer Strong Beer

Minnesota State Fair officials have decided to allow fair vendors to sell “strong beer” this year at the fair as opposed to the 3.2 varieties that have been beer drinkers only choice in the past. For years the State Fair was the final hold out against full strength beer with 5 percent alcohol, allowing only the weaker 3.2 percentage alternatives. The 3.2 choice has drawn plenty of complaints from fair goers and vendors are thankful that the fair is ready to ante up. Vendors will be able to offer more choices to their customers including local Minnesota brews that only come in full strength. Critics of the change are concerned over increased public drunkenness, but fair officials don’t think there will be any more problems than usual. Even with the moaning and groaning of the 3.2 choice, last year fair visitors managed to drink 91,000 gallons of beer, but most fair goers prefer to eat instead of drink anyway. For example, last year there was 3 million in beer sales and 22 million dollars in food sales! Minnesota State Fair goers definitely love to eat and this year they can drink and be merry, too!

Can a Hat Change the World? Of Course.

So, the question on everyone’s mind is this: What will everyone be wearing on their heads at this year’s Minnesota State Fair? Okay, so maybe not everyone is thinking about this question, but I am. Every year at the Fair, some crazy kind of obnoxious looking hat is the new fad. Don’t tell me you don’t remember the Dr. Seuss Cat in the Hat monstrosities that everyone had a few years ago. The post-Cat in the Hat fallout was so bad after that year’s fair that I saw a middle-age man walking with his baby in a stroller and a striped top hat atop his head. Was that actually not embarrassing at one time to wear in public? Last year’s crazy hat was the fuzzy purple sombrero, no less outlandish then the “cat-hat.” Hopefully the Fair crowd and vendors are able to move past these this year because I’m kind of bored with them. I’m hoping for pirate hats a la Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean. Here’s to the Minnesota State Fair and to the rich tradition of stupid hats that it helps foster!

Minnesota State Fair 2007

Minnesota State Fair Grandstand

The Minnesota State Fair Grandstand is going to be rockin' in 2007!!! Look at the great line-up!!!
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Brad Paisley with special guests Jack Ingram, Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift
Thursday, Aug. 23, 7:30 p.m.
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The Goo Goo Dolls with special guests Lifehouse and Colbie Caillat
Friday, Aug. 24, 7:30 p.m.
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Fergie
Saturday, Aug. 25, 7:30 p.m.
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Joan Jett and the Blackhearts with special guest TBA
Sunday, Aug. 26, 7:30 p.m.
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"Weird Al" Yankovic with special guest Tonic Sol-fa
Monday, Aug. 27, 7:30 p.m.
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The Allman Brothers Band with special guest Robert Randolph & the Family Band
Tuesday, Aug. 28, 7 p.m.
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Vince Gill Friends and Family Tour featuring Amy Grant and The Del McCoury Band
Wednesday, Aug. 29, 7:30 p.m.
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2007 B.B. King Blues Festival featuring Al Green and Etta James and her Roots Band
Thursday, Aug. 30, 7 p.m.
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A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor
Friday, Aug. 31, 8 p.m.
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MercyMe with special guest Aaron Shust
Saturday, Sept. 1, 7:30 p.m.
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Minnesota State Fair Amateur Talent Contest Finals
Sunday, Sept. 2, 8 p.m.
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Def Leppard with special guests STYX & Foreigner
Monday, Sept. 3, 6:30 p.m.
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MINNESOTA STATE FAIR

THE FAIR ROCKS