Taste of the Fair Pre-Party

ST. PAUL, MINN. (08/13/2014)(readMedia)-- Photo Opportunity

Date & Time:

5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14

Event Details:

Part fund-raiser, part pre-party for State Fair donors, business partners, friends and family, the Taste of the Fair is hosted by the 501(c)3 nonprofit Minnesota State Fair Foundation. More than 1,000 guests and volunteers have already RSVPed to gather in celebration of the Foundation's mission to preserve and improve State Fair buildings, grounds and educational programs.

Proceeds from Taste of the Fair's silent auction, raffle and beer & wine pulls support agricultural education, arts & culture, history & heritage, environment and education at the Minnesota State Fair.

Food and beverage for the night is provided by 12 different State Fair concessionaires including staples like Sweet Martha's Cookie Jar and Turkey To Go. Additionally, three new 2014 State Fair foods will debut at this event: Mancini's Beer Gelato; Green Mill Restaurants' Pizza Tots; and JonnyPops' all-natural frozen fruit and cream bars.

The evening also features: classic midway games - bottle-up and goblet toss; music by G.B. Leighton; an end-of-the-night treat from Tom Thumb Mini Donuts; and a ride on the SkyRide.

Spokespeople, Interviews and Photo Opportunities:

Minnesota State Fair Foundation spokesperson Jesse Poppe will be available for interviews about this annual pre-fair gathering that benefits efforts to preserve the fair for future generations. Interview State Fair fans and friends as they gear up for the start of the 2014 Great Minnesota Get-Together. Talk with concessionaires about their preparations and what they're most looking forward to this year. Capture the excitement and anticipation leading up to the 2014 Minnesota State Fair.

Location:

Minnesota State Fairgrounds – International Bazaar

Media must enter the fairgrounds at Gate 7 off Como Avenue (behind the Haunted House). You'll show an ID and proceed to the next intersection to take a right turn on Judson Avenue. The International Bazaar is on the south side of Judson Avenue just after the Haunted House. Parking is available on surrounding streets or nearby lots.

State Fair Foundation Media Contacts:

• Jesse Poppe – (651) 755-8420 cell –jesse.poppe@msffoundation.org

• Lacey Braun – (651) 775-1671 cell – lacey.braun@msffoundation.org