Minnesota State Fair 5 Day Countdown

I can’t believe it is almost fair time! The Minnesota State Fair starts in 5 DAYS (not counting today) – wow! I can’t make it out to the fair on Thursday aka Opening Day, but I will be out on Friday for sure. I think we are going to take my 15 year old niece who has never been to the Minnesota State Fair before! I know, I know – does she live under a rock? No, my sister aka her mother just doesn’t like fairs much – she is the black sheep of the family (and I mean that in the most loving way sis.) Who doesn’t like the fair? Only crazy people.

Friday is the Governors Fire Prevention Day and when you are married to a firefighter, this is a big deal. I am looking forward to hitting the pavement at the fairgrounds and I told my husband to open up the wallet because we are stopping at all the hottest food booths . . . twice! I love the Minnesota State Fair! See ya there!

Minnesota State Fair dates

Don't forget—the 2008 Minnesota State Fair runs Thursday, August 21 through Labor Day, September 1. Yeah, like we could forget! I love the summer and the Minnesota state fair is like the cherry on top of the sundae. Yummy.

Minnesota State Fair Free Entertainment

The Minnesota state fair prides itself on bringing headliner talent to the big Grandstand stage, but that big talent also comes with big ticket prices. Can’t afford it? The Minnesota State Fair also has plenty of free entertainment! This year, more than 100 acts will perform on seven free stages. Now, that’s not all music, but there will be plenty of talent on the stages including Brandi Carlile, whose music has been featured on one of my favorite shows "Grey's Anatomy." I also make it a point to listen to the great sound of one of my favorite a cappella groups, Tonic Sol-Fa.

See ya at the fair!

Gonig Crazy for Gnarls Barkley!

The last act for the Minnesota State Fair grandstand was just announced and it is going to be Gnarls Barkley!!! I am super excited because I have never been to the state fair and now I will have an excuse to go!
Gnarls Barkley will really bring in a younger audience to the State Fair along with Paramore who will also be at the Minnesota State Fair.

Gnarls Barkley is touring in support of their new album, The Odd Couple. I bought 'The Odd Couple' the day it came out and I haven't been able to stop listening to it!

Minnesota State Fair tickets for this event feature general admission for the Plaza level versus reserved seating. If you want to go, you should get your Gnarls Barkley tickets fast because these tickets will no doubt sell fast!



See you there!

Minnesota State Fair Grandstand Announcement

For the third week in a row, the Minnesota Fair has sent me a concert announcement for my Minnesota State Fair blog! The fair board has completed the grandstand schedule for 2008 with the addition of:

Gnarls Barkley will headline at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27.

Paramore (one of my daughters favorite bands) with special guests Jack's Mannequin, Phantom Planet and Paper Route are set to perform at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26.

Additionally, The Black Keys have been confirmed as the special guest for The Black Crowes show at the Grandstand on Aug. 30.

Wow, it is going to be a stellar year for Minnesota State Fair grandstand shows! There is at least four that I am dying to go see, good thing I have some of that tax stimulus money left over, I am going to need it for my Minnesota State fair concert tickets!

Minnesota State Fair Concert Announcement and Facebook

For the second week in a row, I had an email from my friends at the Minnesota State Fair announcing another concert for the Minnesota State Fair grandstand. Here is an excerpt from the email:

Dear Fair Fans,

Get Ready! Now hear this--two new shows have been added to
the Toyota Concert Series at the historic Minnesota State Fair Grandstand.

A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor is set for 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29.
The Black Crowes will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30….

Don't forget to mark your calendar—the 2008 Great Minnesota Get-Together runs Aug. 21 through Labor Day, Sept. 1.

Our best wishes for a fantastic summer,
Your Friends at the Fairgrounds

P.S. If you've got a Facebook profile, log in and join hundreds of other fair fans by becoming a member of "The Official Minnesota State Fair Group."

I love it, the fair has a Facebook profile! When most people think of the fair, they think of the old farmers with their pin striped overalls and John Deer ball caps, not the young and trendy Facebook hipsters. I guess it is just more evident that the fair wants to keep its image young and “cool.”

Minnesota State Fair Grandstand Additions

Another concert announcement from the Minnesota State fair. I woke up yesterday morning and found this in my inbox:

Greetings from the Great Minnesota Get-Together,
We've just confirmed two more evenings of entertainment for the 2008 Toyota Concert Series at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand.

3 Doors Down with special guests Staind and Hinder will perform at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21. Tickets are $57, $47 and $32. Sales begin at noon on Saturday, May 31.

Christian artist Mark Schultz with special guests Big Daddy Weave and Lincoln Brewster is scheduled to play at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 28. Tickets are $28 and go on sale at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 31.

I love 3 Doors Down! Wow, this might be one of the best Minnesota State Fair Grandstand lineup ever!

Minnesota State Fair Concert Announcement

The Minnesota State Fair is going crazy with concert announcements! The fair announced two more concerts for the State Fair Grandstand. I got this email today:

Greetings from the Great Minnesota Get-Together!

We've just added
two shows to the Toyota Concert Series at the Minnesota State Fair
Grandstand.

Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert will perform at 7:30
p.m. Monday, Aug. 25. Tickets are $30 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, May
3.

Jonny Lang and Buddy Guy with special guest Big Head Todd and
the Monsters will play at 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24. Tickets are $35 and go on sale
Saturday, May 3 at noon.

I am soooo excited to see Dierks Bentley and the tickets aren’t even that expensive! I can’t wait for the great Minnesota Get-Together!

Minnesota State Fair Concert Backstreet Boys

The Minnesota State fair leaked out a second concert that is scheduled at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand in 2008. The infamous Backstreet Boys are set to play the Grandstand at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 23. I can already hear the screaming tween girls. The state fair should feel privileged to have BSB on the docket since they haven’t announced very many American tour dates. Currently, the Backstreet Boys are touring in Japan, Australia and Europe as part of the Unbreakable tour.

The Backstreet Boys most recent single is “Inconsolable” which you may heard a few times on KDWB, but it wasn’t a real chart topper. It will be interesting to see what kind of ticket demand the Backstreet Boys will bring.

The 2008 Minnesota State Fair runs from August 21st through Labor Day, September 1st.

Brad Paisley show at Minnesota State Fair

There is finally some Minnesota State fair news to report! The Brad Paisley concert has announced it’s opening acts. Opening for Brad Paisley are “Stealing Cinderella” artist Chuck Wicks, Julianne Hough who won the past two seasons of "Dancing with the Stars" and singer-songwriter Jewel.

The show is sure to be a lot of fun. I already have my Brad Paisley tickets, but now one of my friends wants to go. I just checked on ticketmaster and the best pair of tickets is in grandstand section L, row 31! Woah – that is far back. Brad Paisley and friends would look like the size of “Ticks.” Perhaps I am a concert snob, but I am willing to pay more money if I can sit closer and so will my friend. I see Ticket King has Minnesota State Fair Tickets and their Brad Paisley Tickets are running about $200, but you are soooo much closer. This is going to be a hot state fair show, I am not sure if I should tell my friend to wait to buy tickets or not. I bet it sells out and that will only drive the ticket king prices higher.

Minnesota State Fair News

Not much in Minnesota State Fair news. It should be almost time to announce another 2008 Minnesota State Fair concert. Hmmm…

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!

2008 MN State Fair

Is it too early to start planning for next summer?

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!

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!

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!

Minnesota State Fair 2007