Monday, September 3, 2012
Monday, Labor Day, is the final day of the Great Minnesota Get-Together.
For the final day of the fair, many merchandise and food vendors are offering Last Chance bargains; flyers with deals listings are available at all information booths. It’s also Kids Day, and children age 5 to 12 pay only $7. The rides at Mighty Midway and Kidway have a one ticket discount all day. Barns close for the day at 3 p.m. In addition, all day in Carousel Park, Cub Foods is sponsoring giveaways, appearances by local celebrities, prize drawings and live performances. As for the evening's entertainment act, Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller play the grandstand at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $29 and $39. If you're looking to hitch a ride to the fair on a shuttle, look no further than Richfield to do so. The $5 shuttle from Best Buy corporate …
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Sunday is the Day 11 of the Great Minnesota Get-Together.
Sunday is Minnesota History Day at the fair and those who finish the History Walking and Cell Phone tour will receive a free commemorative poster created by Minnesota artist Joe Heffron. In addition, in Carousel Park, the Minnesota Historical society will be presenting history-themed entertainment throughout the day, including trivia, theater performances and live music. As for evening entertainment, the free finals to the Minnesota State Amateur Talent Contest Finals starts at 8 p.m. at the grandstand. Check out the fair's website for a schedule of the day's activities and events. For more information about upcoming fair events or specials, and transportation options, see Patch's 2012 Minnesota State Fair Guide. *** Getting to the fair …
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Saturday is Day 10 of the Great Minnesota Get-Together.
Saturday is FFA Day at the fair, and swine, sheep and market goats will be judged in the Swine Barn. In addition, AARP will be hosting activities throughout the day in Carousel Park, including live music by Vintage RAGGS and Urban Myth Band. As for nighttime entertainment, Journey along with Pat Benatar play the grandstand starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $38, $48 and $58. If you're looking to hitch a ride to the fair on a shuttle, look no further than Richfield to do so. The $5 shuttle from Best Buy corporate campus returns this weekend through Monday. Fair-goers may park in the Knox Avenue Best Buy parking lot (officially 7601 Penn Avenue) for free before hopping on a fair-bound bus. Here's what else you need to know: For a complete list …
Friday, August 31, 2012
Friday is Day 9 of the Great Minnesota Get-Together.
Friday is MPR Day at the fair, and the public radio station will be broadcasting from the Carousel Park stage. In addition, the rides at Mighty Midway and Kidway have a one-ticket discount until 1 p.m. As for the evenings musical entertainment, The Current's Music On-a-Stick show at the grandstand starts at 5 p.m. and features Semisonic, Dessa and Jeremy Messersmith. Tickets are $35. Check out the fair's website for a schedule of the day's activities and events. For more information about upcoming fair events or specials, and transportation options, see Patch's 2012 Minnesota State Fair Guide. *** Getting to the fair from Lakeville: The Minnesota Transit Authority has teamed with the fair to offer express buses to the fair grounds from …
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Thursday is Day 8 of the Great Minnesota Get-Together.
Thursday is Seniors Day at the fair, and those 65 and over get in for just $7. To go with the theme of the days, more than 1,000 fair-goers are expected to participate in the Senior Stretch & Stroll. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. and the program at 10 a.m. in Carousel Park. Held annually on the second Thursday of the fair, participants receive free t-shirts and fitness equipment. In addition, Something to keep in mind if you're an animal lover is that cattle, sheep and swine leave the fair at 2 p.m., and barns will be closed for the rest of the day. The rides at Mighty Midway and Kidway also have a one ticket discount until 1 p.m. As for the evening's musicla stylings, Rascal Flatts plays the grandstand at 7 p.m. Limited seating is …
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Rep. Keith Ellison and Chris Fields will also have their first debate at noon Wednesday at the fair.
Wednesday is Read & Ride Day at the Minnesota State Fair, and public library cardholders of all ages receive a $2 or $3 discount on admission. In addition, visitors can test their knowledge at the "Spin & Win" trivia wheel and test their luck at Library Plinko. Congressional representative, Rep. Keith Ellison, will participate in the first debate of the election season with his challenger Chris Fields at noon at the MPR studio booth on the corner of Judson and Nelson. As for the evening music options, Kiss and Mötley Crüe play together at the grandstand at 7 p.m. Limited seating is available for $51, $71 and $81. Check out the fair's website for a schedule of the day's activities and events. For more information about upcoming fair events …
Youth from across the county compete in everything from fishing sports to clowning.
- LOCAL CONNECTIONS
- Anna Schier
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Wednesday, August 29, 2012
4-H is as much a part of the Minnesota State Fair tradition as corndogs and cotton candy. This year, 5,866 young people will exhibit a variety of projects at the fair, competing in categories ranging from aquatic robotics to clothing and textiles. Barb Tiegs, a 4-H judge in fabric arts and a Maple Grove resident, has been involved in the state fair 4-H competition since she was 11 years old. When judging, Tiegs says she looks for students who can explain how they executed their project and what completing the project taught them. “They learn how to present themselves, how to communicate,” said Tiegs. “It really pays off as a lifelong skill.” Check out the highlights from Dakota County’s 2012 4-H competitors in the gallery above. To see the…
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Here's what Lakeville residents need to know to gear up for the Great Minnesota Get-Together.
- LOCAL CONNECTIONS
- Zac Farber
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Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Whether you're ready or not, nearly two million people are expected to descend on the Minnesota State Fair’s 320-acre grounds starting Thursday and the following 11 days for concerts, contests, cows and corn dogs. Here’s Patch's rundown on what you need to know to get to the fair and find your way around: Hours Admission gates open daily at 6 a.m. Ticket sales end at 10 p.m. (9 p.m. on Labor Day). Grounds close at midnight (10 p.m. on Labor Day), but most buildings are open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and many vendor stalls start packing it in prior to that on weekdays. Cost Adults (13-64) pay $12, seniors and children 5 and older pay $10, and children younger than 5 are admitted for free. Promotional days are offered throughout the fair. Pre-fair …
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Round-trip fare is $5 cash for all riders age 6 and older; fares are free for children 5 and under. Buses leave from Burnsville and Eagan.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- David Henke
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Sunday, August 19, 2012
Looking for a way to get to the Minnesota State Fair that doesn't involve searching endlessly for parking? The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority will provide busing to and from Eagan and Burnsville directly to the Minnesota State Fair starting Aug. 23 and running through Sept. 3. On weekdays, State Fair Express buses will operate to/from the Burnsville High School and Burnsville Transit Station (BTS) and the State Fairgrounds. Buses will depart on the hour from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Buses will leave the Fairgrounds to return to the transit station and Burnsville High School every 60 minutes (on the hour) from noon to midnight. On Saturdays, Sundays and on Labor Day, buses will operate to/from the State Fair from the Burnsville and Eagan …
Saturday, August 4, 2012
A dancer in the Esther Bowles Happiness Troupe chomps into a slice of watermelon on her break.
July 25, 1968: A Burnsville dancer in the Esther Bowles Happiness Troupe chomps into a slice of watermelon on her break. The dancers are preparing for 10 performances at the Minnesota State Fair by spending their summer days at dance camp in Burnsville. This moment, and other shots from the preparations, were printed in the Dakota County Tribune. You can check out more events, exhibits and archives at the Dakota County Historical Society, 130 Third Ave. N., South St. Paul.
