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State Fair

The 2026 Minnesota State Fair runs Aug. 27 through Sept. 7. For all of the events at the MPR booth and Dan Patch Park, go to mpr.org/statefair.

Here’s a guide to what to know before you go to the 2026 Minnesota State Fair, including information on tickets, transportation, attractions, what to bring and ways to save.

University of Minnesota offering free vision, hearing tests at the State Fair

University of Minnesota offering free vision, hearing tests at the State Fair

The U of M will be showcasing its new sensory health mobile unit at the State Fair this year — an initiative to free diagnostic care to more Minnesotans, especially in rural areas where it can be tricky to find care close to home.
by Molly Castle Work

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How a first-time 4-H state fair exhibitor prepares her lamb for the competition

How a first-time 4-H state fair exhibitor prepares her lamb for the competition

12-year-old 4-H participant Madelyn Donnelly said that facing a big day at the state fair for the first time is stressful, but luckily her lamb is a “chill dude.” She’s hoping her sheep impresses the judges, and she’s getting help from her 19-year-old mentor through a program called a BELLE grant.
by Nina Moini and Ellen Finn

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How the ever-growing State Fair crop art exhibit comes to life

How the ever-growing State Fair crop art exhibit comes to life

Since the pandemic, the number of crop art submissions has continued to grow, to nearly 600 this year. Marta Shore, assistant superintendent of crop art and scarecrows was on the MPR stage to talk about the craft of crop art and its growing popularity.
by Nina Moini and Aleesa Kuznetsov

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The art, craft and community of quilting

The art, craft and community of quilting

MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about what goes into making a quilt, how quilting has evolved and the community and personal stories that can be stitched into every finished piece.
by Angela Davis, Cari Dwyer and Maja Beckstrom

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