The Minnesota State Fair, better known as The Great Minnesota Get-Together, has a permanent home on 320 acres along Snelling Avenue in St. Paul. The fairgrounds' historical buildings host a slew of exhibitors, plants, animals, arts, and plenty of jam. Other big attractions include the various foods on a stick, carnival rides, livestock shows and grandstand performances. Then there is the MPR booth located on Judson and Nelson. A perfect spot to relax those feet, check out some live programing, and enjoy the popular activity of people watching.
August 28, 1974 - MPR’s Connie Goldman interviews MPR Classical host Dennis Rooney about his interest in covering the food at Minnesota State Fair. Rooney promotes the various traits of food fair.
August 28, 1975 - MPR’s Connie Goldman and Bruce Wall decide to explore the Midway rides at Minnesota State Fairgrounds. It does not go well for Goldman.
August 22, 1980 - John Anderson, Independent presidential candidate, speaking in Minneapolis Auditorium at Minnesota State Fairgrounds, as part of his "National Unity" campaign. More than 2,000 of the devoted and the curious paid three dollars each to hear Anderson speak.
August 31, 1984 - MPR’s Jo Ann Shroyer reports on the atmosphere of the Minnesota State Fair in the early hours of day. Schmidt interviews participants and exhibitors, who share their experiences at fairgrounds. While animals are also a part of the report, they are not interviewed.
September 1, 1986 - MPR’s Stephen Smith produces a sound portrait on a staple of the State Fair…the politician. Smith interviews various Minnesota politicians, who share their different styles in interacting with the fair crowd.
August 29, 1988 - MPR’s Jim Bickal creates an audio montage of various sounds, voices, and music from the Minnesota State Fair.
August 26, 1991 - During the next hour you'll hear a documentary about the 19th Amendment and a conversation about women's rights on Women's Suffrage Day, August 26th. The documentary "A Woman's Place" will be heard in the first half hour, and during the second half hour you'll hear Gloria Griffin of the Minnesota Women's Consortium, and state representative Phyllis Kahn. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson hosted the program from the State Fair.
August 27, 1991 - MPR’s Beth Friend reports from the Fine Arts building at the State Fair. Friend interviews Karl Bethke, Studio Arts professor at University of Minnesota, and Marky Lingin, Director of Education at Walker Arts Center, who are judges of the many submissions competing for the desired fair ribbons and awards.
August 28, 1991 - MPR’s Tom Fudge explores “humongous” things at the Minnesota State Fair…from a pig, a horse, the Space Needle, elephants, the Big Slide, Midway koala bear, a man, a pumpkin, to a hot dog.
August 29, 1991 - Remember the Boschwitz root beer floats? MPR’s Karen Boros walks the Minnesota State Fairgrounds and interviews politicians Arne Carlson, Dave Durenberger, Rudy Boschwitz, and Paul Wellstone about their interactions with fairgoers.