The Great Minnesota Get-Together, as the fair is also known, has been held every year with a few exceptions since 1859, the year after Minnesota became a state.
The fair’s permanent home is 320 acres along Snelling Avenue in St. Paul, where the fairgrounds' historically significant buildings are a big draw. Other big attractions include the various foods on a stick, carnival rides, livestock shows and grandstand performances.
Daily attendance for the two-week festival that ends on Labor Day) totaled more than 1.7 million in 2010.
September 2, 1996 - Midday guests Bob Meek and Tom Horner, MPR political analysts, are at the MPR Fair booth to talk about politics, at the traditional start of the campaign season, and answer listener questions.
August 25, 1997 - One of the newer animal exhibits at the Minnesota State Fair is the butterfly house. David Bolhken of St. Paul has set up a big see-through, tent-like enclosure the size of a double garage, which originator David Bolhken says is a great scientific study. Kids are free and adults pay a dollar to walk in and visit the butterflies.
August 27, 1998 - The Minnesota State Fair is big. One of the top five in the nation. Last year the fair broke its own attendance record with more than 1.6-(M)-million visitors. This year there's been some concern about how LATE the fair has its run. The calendar has pushed the dates back by nearly a week. As a result, while the fair is on, thousands of students will have to head back to the classroom. Minnesota Public Radio's Lynette Nyman reports. --------------------------------------------------------- | D-CART ITEM: 8746 | TIME: 2:52 | OUTCUE: "...SOC --------------------------------------------------------- 25:47 amb of avenue (inconsequential)
August 31, 1998 - MORNING EDITION VERSION The Midway business is big business. Across the country each year, carnivals generate millions of dollars in revenue at state and county fairs. But being a carnival worker is more competitive than ever... and it is no different on the Minnesota State Fair's Mighty Midway. Minnesota Public Radio's Lynette Nyman has this story. 31:35 fade up sfx midway...xfade It's almost too much... Colorful, flashing lights...loud rock-n-roll and wrap music...piercing, gleeful screams...at the Minnesota State
September 1, 1998 - State Fair veterinarian Dr. Mike Byoorklin works the barns at the fairgrounds, treating sick or injured animals.
September 1, 1998 - The stock dog trials are relatively new at the Minnesota State Fair. This year is their second appearance. The trials demonstratre how dogs can be trained to herd livestock.
September 1, 1998 - ATC VERSION-- The stock dog trials are relatively new at the Minnesota State Fair. This year is their second appearance. It's a chance for dogs like the Australian Cattle Dog, the Belgian Sheepdog, and of course the Border Collie to do what they were bred to do...herd livestock. Minnesota Public Radio's Lynette Nyman has this story. *23:54 fade up amb--release of gates....baa As a stock dog trial begins The handler heads out with the dog into the ring... sending it back down when the sheep enter h
September 7, 1998 - Labor Day marks the end of the Minnesota State Fair. If you got a chance to walk around Machinery Hill this year, you probably noticed lawmowers have replaced many of the tractors. Farm equipment that might have been state of the art at past fairs is now on display at the "Old Iron Show" --a farm antique show. Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson took a stroll through Machinery Hill with Michael Dregni, editor of "This Old Tractor." They started their tour at the Toro Dealership:
September 7, 1998 - (self-contained, incl. lead) The last day of the Minnesota State Fair is more than just one last opportunity to walk around in public eating fried cheese on sticks: today is the culmination of the 4-H livestock competitions, when all the prize-winning animals go up for auction. The bids are well above market price, and the money is split between local charities and the 4-H kids who raised the winning animals. 2nd District Congressman Gil Gutknecht is the event's celebrity auctioneer -- that's Gutknecht plying his trade right now. (pause) Last year Gutknecht only lasted for two or three sales, but his staff says he's been resting his voice this year, and today he went hours without a break. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste stopped by the fairgrounds earlier today and talked to Dave Skiba (SKEE-bah), who helps run the auction:
August 24, 2000 - A swan song of summer gets underway today as the 2000 edition of the Minnesota State Fair opens at the grounds in Falcon Heights. The popularity of the fair can make transportation and parking a challenge in the area for the next twelve days, but some visitors and exhibitors avoid traffic headaches by camping at the fair.