More Than $6 Million in Projects Approved for State Fairgrounds

ST. PAUL, MINN. (01/20/2011)(readMedia)-- More than $6 million in improvements and maintenance projects for the Minnesota State Fairgrounds were approved by the fair's board of managers during the annual meeting of the Minnesota State Agricultural Society – governing body of the fair. The meeting was held Jan. 14-16 at the Sheraton Bloomington Hotel as part of a joint convention of the Society, Minnesota Federation of County Fairs and Midwest Showmen's Association.

Improvements and maintenance projects approved for 2011 include construction of a new restroom on the north end of the fairgrounds, a new Education Building roof, window replacement in the historic Cattle Barn, significant infrastructure work and hundreds of painting, maintenance and landscape jobs throughout the 320-acre State Fairgrounds. 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.

In other business conducted during the meeting, recently retired and long-time State Fair employees Steve Pooch and Karen Leach were inducted into the Hall of Fame, the State Fair's highest honor. David E. Johnson of Inver Grove Heights was elected to honorary life membership in the Society. His work with the Minnesota State Fair Foundation raised funds for the CHS Miracle of Birth Center and J.V. Bailey House construction and renovation projects. Denny Baker of Spicer was re-elected to a one-year term as president of the State Fair. Baker is the mayor of Spicer and a small business owner who has served on the State Fair board of managers since 1998. Joe Fox of Maplewood was re-elected to a two-year term on the board as fourth district vice president. Jim Foss of Kenyon, Sharron Wessel of Hamel and Joe Scapanski of Sauk Rapids were re-elected to three-year terms on the board, representing the Society's first, third and sixth districts, respectively.

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 www.mnstatefair.org for more information.

The 2011 Minnesota State Fair runs Aug. 25 - Labor Day, Sept. 5.