Opening day of the State Fair: Record breaking crop art, a wedding, food reviews and more
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Welcome to Day 1 of the Minnesota State Fair. Gates opened for the Great Minnesota Get-Together on Thursday morning, kicking off the annual 12-day run of the fair. Many fairgoers line up hours before to be some of the first allowed in.
Day-of ticket prices are $20 for people 13 through 64 years old, $18 for people 65 and older and kids 5 to 12 years old, and free for children under 4. There are discounts on some days during the fair, including opening day.
Here’s what MPR News journalists saw at the State Fair on opening day.
That’s all, folks
8:21 p.m. | Sam Stroozas
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Opening Day has come and gone, at least for the MPR News crew. Join us for the next 11 days at the booth and follow along online, on the radio and social media as we tell more stories from the fair including a first-time crop artist, three sisters who are fourth generation livestock showmen and the tale of a few lucky Minnesotans who met their partners while participating in 4-H.
A sold out party at the Grandstand
8:13 p.m. | Alicia Tran
There is a sold out crowd at the Grandstand for country music group Old Dominion. Local alt-rock band Yam Haus electrified the crowd as a special guest. Cowboy hats and boots filled the stands, all enjoying live music together.
First time fair goer
6:30 p.m. | Anita Li
It’s my first time at the Minnesota State Fair! I’m here to interview some couples that met through 4-H for an article I am working on. I couldn’t leave without trying a Pronto Pup!
One tote at a time
5:50 p.m. | Anita Li
I checked in with Gina Czupka who purchased an MPR tote bag! She said her favorite part of the design was the loons.
“I have been a longtime sustaining member of MPR, but with the threats to public media, I felt like it was even more important to add some extra support,” she said.
Corn dog or Pronto Pup? Let the market decide
5:00 p.m. | Anne Guttridge
The remnants of my annual breaded hot dog on-a-stick. I fall in the “I don’t care, it’s a breaded hot dog” camp of the Pronto Pup vs. corn dog debate, and so every year I get something different. The corn dog was a dollar cheaper and 20 feet closer to me when the craving struck, so it won my vote today.
Do we think he’s a sustaining member?
4:15 p.m. | Anne Guttridge
So fun to see all the MPR love at the fair. Found this decked out scarecrow in the Ag-Hort building!
To infinity … and the State Fair?
3:40 p.m. | Sam Stroozas
The new NASA exhibit on the North End of the State Fair stretched through the street this afternoon. “Journey to Space” invites fair goers to experience what it’s like to be on board a spaceship.
From Thursday to Sunday a second exhibit will be available: “The Evolution of the Spacesuit” that features several suits. You can also see a moon rock and chat with NASA employees.
Unusual lawn ornaments
3:05 p.m. | Anita Li
The start of the state fair can only mean one thing: some unconventional parking. Some attendees are paying $25 for a parking spot walking distance to the fair.
Crowds hold steady
3:00 p.m. | Aleesa Kuznetsov
On Judson and Nelson, the sun is shining and the fair is packed at 3 p.m. Will we break a day-one attendance record? I wouldn’t be surprised.
A wedding at the fair!
2:00 p.m. | Anne Guttridge
Brandon Gerlach and Julie Venn got married in an informal wedding ceremony outside the Agriculture-Horticulture Building on the opening day of the Minnesota State Fair at 11:00 a.m. sharp. Brandon loves the Agriculture-Horticulture Building, and one of the couple’s first dates included riding Ye Old Mill, so it felt fitting to be officially wed in the middle of the two on the fairgrounds.
The couple has gone to the fair together for the past eight years and wanted to include the Great Minnesota Get-Together in their big day. When asked why they chose the fair Julie said, “it’s always been a tradition the eight years, almost nine years we’ve been together. We’ve always come to the state fair. It’s just this special moment with family and friends.”
Their official wedding ceremony will be in La Crosse, Wis., in early September, “but it's just easier to get a license here, and let's just do it on our favorite day," said Brandon.
How will they celebrate? They said they’re excited to celebrate with a Pronto Pup and a ride on Ye Old Mill.
Gov. Walz, Lt. Gov. Flanagan visit the crop art exhibit
1:55 p.m. | Ben Hovland
Several prominent Minnesota politicians were seen checking out the crop art exhibit — including Gov. Tim Walz, who admired a portrait of the late Rep. Melissa Hortman made by Rep. Athena Hollins.
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan found art imitating life as she posed with Minnesota State Auditor Julie Blaha by a seed art portrait of Flanagan.
Flanagan even sported a Minnesota State Fair-themed ribbon skirt, made by Ojibwe artist Holly Cook Macarro.
Minnesota State Fair: Bachelorette party destination
1:45 p.m. | Lisa Ryan
Bride-to-be Emilee Sirek grew up in Roseville and has been going to the fair since she was a kid. She moved to the Como neighborhood to be close to the fairgrounds.
“The State Fair is the biggest sense of pride living here in Minnesota. It’s just that piece that really represents the community and who we are,” she said.
She and her fiancé Connor Gallagher will get married in Minneapolis Feb. 7, 2026.
Dedicated to the craft
1:30 p.m. | Clay Masters
MPR News visual journalist Ben Hovland and video producer Anne Guttridge are hard at work behind the MPR booth. Make sure to check out their upcoming content on the MPR News Instagram! Follow us: @mprnews
Minnesota Now is live at the State Fair!
12:10 p.m. | Jeff Jones
There was a crowd at the MPR booth to see Nina Moini interview members of the MPR News politics team live on Minnesota Now. Politics team members Peter Cox, Clay Masters and Dana Ferguson were the guests.
Chef Yia Vang at Union Hmong Kitchen
11:45 a.m. | Anne Guttridge
Chef Yia Vang was at his Union Hmong Kitchen stand in the international Baazar. This year’s new item is shrimp and pork toast on-a-stick served with a side of apricot jelly hot sauce. Ben Hovland and I tried the bites with the Coconut Lychee Colada.
‘Land of a bajillion great sweater knitters’
11:30 a.m. | Kaila White
Chillon Leach of St. Paul bought a fresh Shetland sheep fleece from Minnesota, hand scoured the fleece, then hand spun yarn from it and hand knit this naturally grey sweater. She made this sweater, two hats, a headband and mittens from the four-pound fleece and estimates they all took her over a month.
She says it’s the first time ever she didn’t win a ribbon but she’s still “really happy” because her work is getting good visibility and the judges give “wonderful handwritten notes” with the scores.
“Entering a sweater in the State Fair I’m like, ‘oh shoot — I’m entering in the State Fair, that’s the land of a bajillion great sweater knitters!’”
Eco Experience
11:25 a.m. | Sam Stroozas
Check out the Eco Experience Building for environmental info and state merch. I played eco bingo and went to multiple stations and learned about the state and how to make it better.
And if you get four in a row, you get a rusty patched bumble bee pin! Good place to fill up water for free, too.
Worth the wait
11:25 a.m. | Kaila White
Peachey’s Baking Company is a hot-ticket item once again. My best friend Meredith Howell waited in line for nearly an hour on Thursday morning to get her box of pillowy Amish donuts. She said it was her one must-have item and the wait was worth it.
Looking Inside the Hive
11 a.m. | Kerem Yucel
Bee and honey staff open a live colony of honey bees and take a peek inside during an attraction in the Ag-Hort building.
Pronto Pup or Corn Dog?
10:45 | MPR News Staff
There’s a debate happening at the MPR office in downtown St. Paul: Pronto Pup or Corn Dog?
If you’re wondering the difference, here’s a story from our archive exploring this history of the battered hotdogs. “Here’s your rule of thumb: Every Pronto Pup is a corn dog, but not every corn dog is a Pronto Pup.”
Breakfast at Blue Barn
10:22 a.m. | Ellie Roth
It’s my first time at the State Fair for breakfast. I got the breakfast gnocchi from Blue Barn! This is the first year at the State Fair without co-owner David Burley, who was killed in a motorcycle crash this spring. His business partner, Stephanie Shimp, will join Nina Moini at the fair for a live broadcast of Minnesota Now next Thursday.
Biking tip: Grab a rideshare bike
10:15 a.m. | Beth Varro
Worried you’ll wear yourself out before a long day of walking? Grab a Lime bike a few miles out from the fairgrounds! All have electronic assist and a throttle — pedaling optional! Took 5 minutes to cross the Snelling Avenue bridge. Just remember your helmet and a bag to carry it during the day, and check the app to see where you're allowed to park!
Park-and-ride lines moving faster
10:12 a.m. | Kaila White
There were at least 100 people in each line at the University of Minnesota campus park-and-ride lots near Huntington Bank Stadium by 9:45 a.m. Buses were arriving quickly and kept lines moving — I was worried when I saw the line wrapping around the corner, but ended up waiting just 25 minutes.
Christmas in … August?
10 a.m. | Anne Guttridge
I love stumbling upon something new (to me). In this case, it’s the Christmas tree decorating competition in the Ag-Hort building. My favorite was a bathroom-themed tree that won the blue ribbon. It also smells heavenly as soon as you walk in the room.
Skip the line, see the scarecrows
10 a.m. | Alex. V. Cipolle
Pro tip: Skip the crop art exhibit lines today and go see the scarecrows across the hall. There’s no line and you can see a lot of the crop art from outside the gallery.
Start your day with mini donut cold brew coffee
9:45 a.m. | Sam Stroozas
The mini donut cold brew from The Anchor Coffee House is a staple. It’s the first beverage I get every year. While there’s a brick-and-mortar location in White Bear Lake, there’s something special about having it at the fair.
It features a mini donut, cinnamon syrup, cold brew and — for my sensitive tummy — oat milk. The line is always long, but it moves quick. The drink is $9 and they only accept cash.
Parking is filling up for cars and bikes
9:30 | MPR News Staff
The parking lots were full at 9:15 a.m. Don’t bring your car. — Jeff Jones
Bike lot on Como Avenue was nearly full by 9:30 a.m.! — Anne Guttridge
An early start on trying new fair foods
9:25 a.m. | MPR News Staff
Time to try some new foods! For journalistic research this morning, I sampled the new hot honey jalepeño popper donut from Fluffy’s Hand Cut Donuts.
It’s a massive donut topped with savory cream cheese frosting, bacon crumbles, jalapeños, and a drizzle of hot honey.
This lands on the savory side of sweet-and-savory, with a tang from the frosting and a kick from the hot honey and peppers. Pro tip: don't forget napkins! — Estelle Timar-Wilcox
Breakfast of champions: Poutine and a foot-long hot dog. — Sam Stroozas
And if you’re looking for more ideas for your state fair culinary quest, here’s the full list of official new fair foods.
Already a line for crop art
9:20 a.m. | Alex V. Cipolle
The line for crop art 20 minutes after opening.
The Great Minnesota Park-Together
8:30 a.m. | MPR News Staff
Snelling Avenue is a parking lot per usual. I opted for the park-and-ride bus near Energy Park Drive. I’ve been on the bus for about 30 minutes and we are slowly starting to crawl. People are walking on the side walk next to the street and I’m tempted to jump out of the bus and join them. Fingers crossed I make it by 9! — Sam Stroozas
Traffic on Como Avenue going east towards the fairgrounds is backed up to 280 — nearly 2 miles. — Ellie Roth
The line I’m in for the Minnetonka park-and-ride bus crosses the 394 bridge. — Dana Ferguson
Update: Dana finally made it on the bus at 9:30!
First in the gates at the fair
7:45 a.m. | Estelle Timar-Wilcox
Scott and Nicholas Schwarz were the first through the State Fair gates this year. They’re a father-son duo from Oak Grove and Big Lake, and they came to celebrate Scott’s birthday on opening day.
They got in line a full day before the fair opened — at 7 a.m. Wednesday — and Scott told me that being first in line took a lot of preparation.
“I think it was all based on my birthday. You know, it was like, ‘Hey, this is an excuse to do this.’ We didn't know there was that much planning and stuff we had to do to do this,” he said. “Where are we going to sit? Who’s going to come? How much stuff do we gotta have? Is it going to rain? Is it going to be 100 degrees?”
They said they played cards, worked on their fantasy football draft and talked with others who joined them in line over the day of waiting.
What was first on their agenda once they were inside? Mini donuts and coffee.
Gates open soon for the Minnesota State Fair
6:45 a.m. | Estelle Timar-Wilcox
It’s sunrise on the Minnesota State Fair! But you’ll have to be earlier than that to be first in line.
This year's first visitors have been outside the gates for almost 24 hours. They tell me they're ready for donuts and coffee. I'm dreaming of the new beignet stand.
Only 15 minutes until gates open!
‘It’s gettin’ hot in herre,’ so get a Grandstand ticket if you want one
6:45 a.m. | Feven Gerezgiher
Every year since I've joined MPR News, I've been tracking what shows at the Grandstand are near selling out. It’s been an interesting way to learn about the musical preferences of state fairgoers — or their capacity to plan ahead.
Many had snatched up Ludacris and T-Pain concert tickets by early June last year. In 2023, five shows were nearly at capacity by early July.
This year, the hot concerts are looking like Old Dominion with special guest Yam Haus on opening night, as well as the Melissa Etheridge and Indigo Girls show on Sunday. As of Wednesday afternoon, only single seats and obstructed-view seating were available for the two shows, according to Etix.
A colleague said she bought obstructed view seats last year and they were great; there was only a walkway in front of her. I’ve been told what qualifies as “obstructed view” varies, so people should call 1-800-514-3849 to learn more if they’re interested.
A State Fair spokesperson said tickets to Nelly — who performs Aug. 30 with Ja Rule, Mýa and the Ying Yang Twins — are also selling fast.
Getting to and from the Minnesota State Fair
6:35 a.m. | Estelle Timar-Wilcox
As always, with thousands of people flocking to the fairgrounds, transportation to and from the fair requires some planning.
Parking at the fairgrounds is limited and costs $25. In the past, lots of visitors parked in surrounding residential neighborhoods for free — but this year, street parking will cost $25. That’s a new fee that the city of Falcon Heights has implemented.
Other options include free park-and-ride lots with frequent bus service to the fairgrounds. Metro Transit, the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority and SouthWest Transit also offer express bus service to the fairgrounds, for a fee, from various sites around the Twin Cities metro area.
There’s also free bike parking at the fair, as well as designated drop-off and pick-up points for taxis and rideshare services.
