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.

August 30, 2018 12:04 AM

At fair, Smith and Housley disagree on much, especially Trump

One of the hardest fought campaigns this fall is the U.S. Senate contest between Democrat Tina Smith and Republican Karin Housley. The candidates have been making their pitch to voters at the State Fair.

by Mark Zdechlik

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August 28, 2018 4:25 PM

St. Paul police dog demonstrations called off at State Fair

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter has asked the city's police chief to call off demonstrations of the department's police dogs for the rest of the Minnesota State Fair.

by The Associated Press

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August 28, 2018 4:00 AM

Reptile show at the Minnesota State Fair goes on without founder

Monty's Traveling Reptile Show continues to entertain fairgoers even without its namesake proprietor to welcome them. Monty Krizan, the show's founder and namesake, died in April of heart failure at age 74.

by Tim Nelson

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August 26, 2018 6:35 PM

New apple variety debuts at State Fair

The First Kiss apple was developed at the University of Minnesota. It's based off a Honeycrisp apple but ripens up to a month earlier, about Aug. 20 -- right around fair time.

by Mike Moen

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August 26, 2018 5:45 PM

Monday is Mental Health Awareness Day at Minnesota State Fair

Dave Lee, who sits on the governor's advisory council on mental health, said he hopes the event will help to erode the stigma that's still attached to mental health issues.

by Mike Moen

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August 26, 2018 2:45 PM

State Fair attendance on record pace through first three days

The Minnesota State Fair has set two daily attendance records in the first three days of this year's 12-day run.

by MPR News Staff

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August 23, 2018 6:07 PM

Photos: First day of the 2018 Minnesota State Fair

Crowds were inside the gates before the sun came up and animals were still sleeping when eager fairgoers crept through the barns in the early morning. But it didn't stay quiet for long.

by Evan Frost

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August 23, 2018 4:01 PM

Food critics dish on State Fair's best (and not-so-best)

Three Twin Cities food critics give their recommendations, and condemnations, after sampling some of the most talked about food items at the Great Minnesota Get-Together.

by Tim Nelson

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August 22, 2018 1:51 PM

Meet the man behind the State Fair's wildest rides

A Texas thrill ride operator who prides himself on offering some of the biggest attractions returns to the Minnesota State Fair. Michael Wood, the son of Michigan carnival workers, was "born into the business." He took over for his pioneering father who died 20 years ago.

by Tim Nelson