Fair has severe weather plan in place
Officials with the Minnesota State Fair say the fair is prepared for severe weather. Fair officials say the fairgrounds are equipped with storm shelters and tornado sirens.
There's only a small chance of severe weather in the metro area this weekend.
Fair spokeswoman Brienna Schuette says it's important for fairgoers to watch out for bad weather.
"We do ask people to use common sense, listen to the police officers that are directing you to shelter on the fairgrounds and just pay attention to the skies," Schuette said.
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Schuette says staff members conduct severe weather drills before the start of the fair each year. She says in the event of a storm, police cars with public address systems will patrol the fairgrounds, directing people to take shelter in some of the larger brick and concrete buildings, such as the grandstand, coliseum and 4H buildings.
Schuette adds that the fair has an extensive evacuation plan in place.
"If you are on the fairgrounds and we do have severe weather move in, there is a siren on the top of our agriculture horticulture building which will sound," she said, "and if you are anywhere on the fairgrounds, that will alert you to move into shelter."
Between 100,000 and 225,000 people attend the fair each day.
MINNESOTA STATE FAIR: IF YOU GO
• The Minnesota State Fair is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day in Falcon Heights, but it closes an hour early on Labor Day -- the last day.
• Regular admission is $12, $10 for seniors and children, and kids under 5 years old get in free.
• For a complete calendar of events, and schedules for the Minnesota Public Radio booth at Judson and Nelson, click here.