2015 Minnesota State Fair Begins One Week From Today

ST. PAUL, MINN. (08/20/2015)(readMedia)-- The 2015 Great Minnesota Get-Together begins one week from today on Thursday, Aug. 27 and runs through Labor Day, Sept. 7. 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 the fair.

New Attractions, Exhibits & Foods

Dozens of new attractions and exhibits make their State Fair debut in 2015, including Math On-A-Stick where kids and grown-ups can explore fun math concepts at the fair; two new Mighty Midway rides; Figure Skating Day on Aug. 31 at Carousel Park; Hmong Minnesota Day at Carousel Park on Sept. 7; free sunscreen for all fair guests at information booths; new history highlights at the History & Heritage Center and more. Click here (http://www.mnstatefair.org/fun/new_att/index.html) for descriptions and photos of all new attractions and exhibits. High-resolution photos of a selection of new attractions and exhibits are available for media use here. (http://www.mnstatefair.org/gallery.mnstatefair.org/media/15_NA/index.html)

Forty new foods and 11 new frozen treats have been added to the fair's list of more than 500 food options. Click here (http://www.mnstatefair.org/fun/new_food/index.html) for descriptions and photos of this year's new fare at the fair. High-resolution photos of all new foods are available for media use here. (http://www.mnstatefair.org/gallery.mnstatefair.org/media/15_NF/index.html)

Music & Entertainment

The 2015 free entertainment lineup features more than 900 shows - all free with the price of admission. Click here (http://www.mnstatefair.org/entertainment/free_entertainment_15.html) for the complete lineup.

The historic State Fair Grandstand is home to 11 nights of big-name entertainment from Patti LaBelle to Merle Haggard. Tickets are available through Etix at etix.com or by calling (800) 514-3849. Click here (http://www.mnstatefair.org/entertainment/grandstand.html) for the complete 2015 Grandstand Concert Series lineup (sponsored by Sleep Number). A nightly Fireworks Spectacular follows each Grandstand show, weather permitting (sponsored by Mazda).

Special Events & Ticketed Attractions

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

The Milk Run 5K (sponsored by Great River Energy, Midwest Dairy Association and Minnesota Farmers Union) kicks off at 7:45 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 30. Click here (http://www.mnstatefair.org/competition/milk_run.html) for more race information. Registration is closed.

Military Appreciation Day is Tuesday, Sept. 1, when the Minnesota State Fair honors our nation's heroes with admission discounts and special events throughout the day. This year, the fifth annual Military Appreciation Day at the fair honors the nine congressionally chartered veterans service organizations of the Minnesota Commander's Task Force: American Legion, American Ex-POWs, American Veterans, Disabled American Veterans, Jewish War Veterans, Marine Corps League, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Vietnam Veterans of America. The day begins at 9:30 a.m. with a special ceremony honoring Minnesota's Veterans of Military Service at the State Fair Veterans Garden on the south side of the Agriculture Horticulture Building. At 10:25 a.m., members of the military will raise the flag at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell and there will be a World War II aircraft flyover.

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, Sept. 3, at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell.

In its 43rd year as a Minnesota State Fair tradition, the Amateur Talent Contest showcases Minnesota?s top talent. During the first 10 days of the fair, semifinals will be held at 6 p.m. nightly at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell. Winners from semifinals will compete in the finals at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6 at the Grandstand. Click here (http://www.mnstatefair.org/competition/talent_contest.html) 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 (http://www.mnstatefair.org/competition/judging_schedule.html) or view a daily schedule for each day's livestock and horse events.

2015 Best Awards will be announced at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, at the International Bazaar Stage. Awards will be presented to the very best of the State Fair's 1,100 commercial exhibits and food vendors in the following categories: Best Product or Service, Best Food or Beverage, Best Attraction, Best Value, Best Customer Service, Best Midway Ride, Best Midway Game and Best Kidway Ride.

There are more than 10 different ticketed attractions for fair guests to choose from including: Space Tower, Ye Old Mill, Go Carts (sponsored by Minneapolis Area Kia Dealers), Haunted House, River Raft Ride, SkyGlider and Skyride, among others.

Discounts & Special Deal Days

Pre-fair discount admission tickets, ride & game tickets and Blue Ribbon Bargain Books are available through Wednesday, Aug. 26, at Cub Foods locations, the State Fairgrounds Ticket Office and many locations in greater Minnesota and western Wisconsin (while supplies last). Click here (http://www.mnstatefair.org/tickets_discounts/admission.html) 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 (http://www.mnstatefair.org/tickets_discounts/admission.html) 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. Click here (http://www.mnstatefair.org/tickets_discounts/box_office/midway_kidway.html) for dates and more information on Mighty Midway and Kidway deals.

The 2015 Blue Ribbon Bargain Book offers 150 coupons with huge 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 & State Fair Poster Carts during the fair. Coupons are valid all 12 days, and a preview of bargains is available by clicking here (http://www.mnstatefair.org/tickets_discounts/blue_ribbon_bb.html).

The Deals, Drawings & Giveaways Guides, available at State Fair information booths or by clicking here (http://www.mnstatefair.org/tickets_discounts/ddga.html), offer complete details on special day deals, items for $1 and less, freebies and sign-up-&-win drawings.

Getting to the Get-Together

Free parking with free shuttle bus service to and from the fair is available from 8 a.m. to midnight daily at 33 locations within a short distance of the fairgrounds. Click here (http://www.mnstatefair.org/general_info/get_here/park_ride.html) for a full list of Park & Ride locations.

State Fair Express Bus service is offered at 21 sites throughout the Twin Cities area. Round-trip Express Bus fare is $5 for persons five years and older; children age four and under ride free with a paid fare. Parking at each site is free. Click here (http://www.mnstatefair.org/general_info/get_here/express_bus.html) for more information and a list of Express Bus Service locations.

Metro Transit routes 960, 84 and 3 service the fairgrounds directly. Click here (http://www.mnstatefair.org/general_info/get_here/reg_bus.html) for more information on these regular Metro Transit routes. Guests planning to take the Metro Green Line to the fair should get off at the Snelling Avenue Station and take bus Route #84 to the fairgrounds.

Three free secured bicycle parking areas are available on the fairgrounds and open from 6 a.m. to midnight. Click here (http://www.mnstatefair.org/general_info/get_here/bike.html) for more information on biking to the State Fair.

Parking in State Fairgrounds lots is $13 (cash only). Motorcycle parking is available for $7 in a secured lot on the south side of Como Avenue across from Gate #7. Click here (http://www.mnstatefair.org/general_info/get_here/maps.html) 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 and back (presented by Texas on Tour); information booths (sponsored by CenturyLink) stocked with free maps, daily schedules (sponsored by Minnesota Lottery), specialty brochures, Deals, Drawings and Giveaways Guides and free sunscreen; a free Wi-Fi hotspot at the West Grandstand Plaza (powered by DragNFly Wireless) and First Aid Stations (sponsored by Regions Hospital) located on the east and west ends of the fairgrounds. Click here (http://www.mnstatefair.org/general_info/guest_services.html) for more information on guest services. Click here (http://www.mnstatefair.org/general_info/brochure_rack.html) to visit the fair's brochure rack to view maps, daily schedules and other information. Click here (http://www.mnstatefair.org/general_info/visitor_guide/index.html) to view the Minnesota State Fair's 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 utilizes the popular Food Finder, Merch & More 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 Apps on Google Play.

Media: The 2015 Minnesota State Fair Media Kit is available to view or print by clicking here (http://www.mnstatefair.org/pdf/15_Media_Kit_BW.pdf).

The Minnesota State Fair is one of the largest and best-attended expositions in the world, attracting 1.8 million visitors annually. Showcasing Minnesota's finest agriculture, art and industry, the Great Minnesota Get-Together is always 12 Days of Fun Ending Labor Day. Visit mnstatefair.org for more information. The 2015 Minnesota State Fair runs Aug. 27 - Labor Day, Sept. 7.

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