2012 Minnesota State Fair Begins One Week From Today

ST. PAUL, MINN. (08/16/2012)(readMedia)-- The 2012 Great Minnesota Get-Together begins one week from today on Thursday, Aug. 23 and runs through Labor Day, Sept. 3. This year's 12 days of fun feature dozens of new attractions, exhibits and foods; a variety of discounts and special deal days; numerous special events; hundreds of free live music and entertainment acts; and many options for getting to and from the fair.

New Attractions, Exhibits & Foods

Dozens of new attractions and exhibits make their State Fair debut in 2012, including an outdoor laser light show, a monumental inflatable walk-through sculpture and nine new carnival rides. Click here for descriptions and photos of the new attractions and exhibits.

Forty new culinary creations have been added to the list of nearly 500 food options. Several of the new choices including the French Dog, Great Balls of Fire and lamb chop on-a-stick can be found in the Food Building (sponsored by Sam's Club). Click here for descriptions and photos of this year's new fare.

Music & Entertainment

This year's free entertainment lineup features more than 100 acts - all free with the price of admission. Click here for the complete lineup of free live entertainment.

The historic State Fair Grandstand is home to 11 nights of big-name entertainment from Alan Jackson to Wiz Khalifa. Tickets are available at mnstatefair.org or by calling 800-514-3849. Click here for the complete 2012 Grandstand Concert Series lineup (sponsored by Sleep Number).

Special Events

Several new and traditional special events are scheduled to take place during this year's Great Minnesota Get-Together.

The 5K Milk Run (sponsored by Great River Energy and Midwest Dairy Association) kicks off at 7:45 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 26. Click here for more race information.

Military Appreciation Day is Tuesday, Aug. 28 when the Minnesota State Fair honors our nation's heroes with admission discounts and special events throughout the day. Minnesota's military veterans will be honored at 9:30 a.m. in a special ceremony at the State Fair Veterans Garden on the south side of the Agriculture Horticulture Building. New this year, a Welcome Home Celebration will begin at 10:30 a.m. with hundreds of uniformed service members from all branches marching from the flag-raising ceremony at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell to Carousel Park. At Carousel Park, the service members will be greeted by military and state leaders and enjoy a "Tribute to the Troops" concert by country artist Rockie Lynne. Click here for a schedule of Military Appreciation Day events.

Two Minnesota senior citizens will be recognized for exceptional community service at the Outstanding Senior Citizens Award Ceremony set for 10:30 a.m. on Seniors Day, Thursday, Aug. 30 at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.

The 2012 State Fair Amateur Talent Contest celebrates 40 years of showcasing Minnesota?s top talent. In honor of this special celebration, new sponsor Jack Link?s has added a $10,000 Open Division Grand Prize, along with thousands of dollars in additional cash and prizes. During the first 10 days of the fair, semifinals are held at 6 p.m. nightly at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell. Winners from semifinals will compete in the finals at 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2 at the Grandstand. Click here for additional Amateur Talent Contest information.

Open class, 4-H and FFA competition judging takes place every day of the fair. For more information on when judging is taking place and where to see the animals, click here or download a daily schedule for each day's livestock and horse events.

For the first time, fair guests are being asked to cast ballots for their favorites in six categories: Best Food or Beverage; Best Food or Beverage Value; Best Customer Experience at a Food or Beverage Vendor; Best Non-Food Product or Service; Best Non-Food Product or Service Value; and Best Customer Experience at a Non-Food Vendor. Voting takes place at the fairgrounds beginning opening day and ends at 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28. Ballots are available at all information booths. Winners will be announced at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 30 at the International Bazaar Stage.

Discounts & Special Deal Days

Pre-fair discount admission tickets, ride & game tickets and Blue Ribbon Bargain Books are available through Wednesday, Aug. 22 at Cub Foods locations, the State Fairgrounds Box Office and many locations in greater Minnesota and western Wisconsin (while supplies last). Click here for pre-fair discount pricing and locations.

The State Fair offers special admission discounts on six of its 12 days with Thrifty Thursday, Seniors and Kids Days, Military Appreciation Day and Read & Ride Day. Many vendors throughout the fairgrounds offer deal day savings. Click here for a listing of special days and applicable discounts.

All-day or Early Bird specials are offered each weekday on Mighty Midway and Kidway rides, games and concessions. Click here for dates and more information on Mighty Midway and Kidway deals.

The 2012 Blue Ribbon Bargain Book offers 126 coupons worth hundreds of dollars in savings on food, merchandise and attractions. Bargain Books are available wherever pre-fair discount tickets are sold before the fair, and at State FairWear Gift Shops and Bargain Book and State Fair Poster Carts during the fair. Coupons are valid all 12 days and a preview of bargains is available by clicking here.

The Deals, Drawings & Giveaways Guide, available at State Fair information booths or by clicking here, has complete details on special day deals, items for $1 and under, freebies and sign-up-&-win drawings.

Getting to the Get-Together

Free parking with free bus service to and from the fair is available from 8 a.m. to midnight daily at 35 locations within a short distance from the fairgrounds. New in 2012, the Ford Plant parking lot has been added as a Park & Ride location. The lot, with more than 800 parking spaces, is located at Ford Parkway and Mississippi Boulevard in the Highland Park neighborhood of St. Paul. Click here for a full list of Park & Ride locations.

State Fair Express Bus service is offered at 19 sites throughout the Twin Cities area. Round-trip Express Bus fare is $5 for persons five years and older; children (four and under) ride free with a paid fare. Four new State Fair Express Bus service locations have been added this year. Buses will run all 12 days of the fair from: National Sports Center (1700 105th Ave. NE, Blaine) and Parade Stadium (600 Kenwood Pkwy., across from Dunwoody, Minneapolis). Buses will run weekends and Labor Day from: Knox Ave. at Best Buy Park & Ride (7601 Penn Ave., Richfield) and Chanhassen Transit Station (500 Market St., Chanhassen). Parking at each site is free. Click here for more information and a list of Express Bus Service locations.

Metro Transit routes 960, 84 and 3 service the fairgrounds directly. Cash or a transit pass can be used to pay regular route fares. Click here for more information on these regular Metro Transit routes.

Three free secured bicycle parking areas are available on the fairgrounds and open from 6 a.m. to midnight. Click here for more information on bicycling to the State Fair.

Parking in State Fairgrounds lots is $12 or can be paid with one additional pre-fair discount admission ticket ($9). Motorcyle parking is available on Como Ave. near the International Institute. Motorcycle parking in this lot is $6; in other State Fair lots it is $12 or one pre-fair discount admission ticket ($9). Click here for a map of State Fairgrounds parking lot locations.

Guest Services & Information

The Great Minnesota Get-Together offers many free services and amenities for guest convenience, including free trolley rides to the north end of the fairgrounds (sponsored by Gold'n Plump); cash machines with no TCF fee at the fair; information booths stocked with free maps, daily schedules, specialty brochures and Deals, Drawings and Giveaways Guides; and Medical Aid Stations located on the east and west ends of the fairgrounds. Click here for more information on guest services. Click here to visit the fair's online brochure rack to download maps, daily schedules and other information. Click here to view the Minnesota State Fair's online Visitor Guide.

The free Minnesota State Fair App is the official smartphone user's guide to finding favorites at the Great Minnesota Get-Together. This special technology created just for Minnesota State Fair fans uses the popular Food Finder, Merch Search and Fun Finder tools to help guests locate their favorites. The app is available absolutely free and available for download through the iPhone App Store or Android Market.

Media: The 2012 Minnesota State Fair Media Kit is available for download by clicking here.