Minnesota State Fair Board Approves $6.8 million in Capital Improvements for 2016

SAINT PAUL, MINN. (01/19/2016)(readMedia)-- The Minnesota State Fair board of managers approved a $6.8 million capital improvements and maintenance budget for 2016 during the annual meeting of the Minnesota State Agricultural Society – governing body of the State Fair. The meeting was part of a joint convention of the Society, Minnesota Federation of County Fairs and Midwest Showmen's Association held on Jan. 15-17 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Bloomington. The budget includes: a new Family Fair Stage at Baldwin Park; a new restroom in the Kidway block; upgrades to horse stalls in the Horse Barn; paving the Transit Hub; a new pedestrian walkway through the Adventure Park block; replacement of the main electrical switch gear and transformers; two new information booth structures; and dozens of miscellaneous paint, electrical, sewer, street and sidewalk repair and maintenance projects. All projects are funded through State Fair operating income and grants from the Minnesota State Fair Foundation. The fair is financially self-supporting and receives no government aid of any kind.

The fair's board of managers also approved admission prices for the 2016 Great Minnesota Get-Together, which will remain the same as last year. Adults (13-64) will be admitted for $13; seniors (65+) and children (5-12) for $11; and children (under 5) for free. Pre-fair discount admission tickets will remain $10. Parking fees will remain $13.

General Manager Jerry Hammer previewed preliminary ideas for a new complex on the north end of the fairgrounds that will likely be built in 2017 or 2018. The area could include an interactive future of agriculture exhibit; a hall to house traveling exhibits; and an outdoor amphitheater for performing arts. Design and layout have yet to be determined.

In other business conducted during the meeting, Sharon Wessel of Hamel was elected president of the Society. Wessel has served on the State Fair board of managers since 2006, currently works for Hennepin County Transportation and has served on the Hennepin County Fair Board for 33 years. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota's College of Home Economics, participated in 4-H (10 years as a youth and 27 years as a leader), worked at the State Fair during college, grew up on a farm in Corcoran and showed Registered Holstein dairy cattle. In addition to the Hennepin County Fair, Wessel is active with the Ceremonial Unit of the Zuhrah Shrine, Excelsior Order of the Eastern Star and Hennepin County Farm Bureau.

Gail Johnson of Anoka was elected to a one-year term to fill the vacancy left by Wessel in the third district. D.J. Leary of Minneapolis was re-elected to a two-year term as State Fair board vice president, representing the Society's fifth regional district. Paul Merkins of Stewart and Ron Oleheiser of Grand Rapids were each re-elected to three-year terms on the board representing the Society's second and eighth districts, respectively.

Al Paulson of Shevlin, the fair's immediate past president, was elected to honorary life membership in the Society. He was elected to the Minnesota State Fair board of managers in 2004 and was president from 2014-16. He is a lifelong resident of Clearwater County, acts as the Clearwater County auditor and was elected to the Clearwater County Fair Board in 1976. As a youth, Paulson participated in 4-H by showing livestock and judging, and from 1971 through 1977, he worked in the 4-H Cafeteria on the fairgrounds as the cook's assistant. In 1990, he took a job with the Minnesota American Dairy Association and was later employed by the Minnesota Farm Bureau, which allowed him to experience the fair from all sides. In 2013, he received the Heritage Award from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions in recognition of his service to fairs and his community.

The State Agricultural Society is made up of delegates from each of the state's 87 county fairs, plus representatives of 43 statewide associations involved in agriculture, horticulture and education. The Society is a quasi-state agency charged exclusively with the production of the annual Minnesota State Fair and management of the historic 320-acre State Fairgrounds.

The Minnesota State Fair is one of the largest and best-attended expositions in the world, attracting nearly 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 2016 Minnesota State Fair runs Aug. 25 - Labor Day, Sept. 5.

-MSF-