Variety of Programs Offered for Seniors at 2011 State Fair

ST. PAUL, MINN. (08/04/2011)(readMedia)-- Many programs and opportunities for senior citizens will be offered at the 2011 Minnesota State Fair including discounts on admission, two special days, free entertainment and helpful services.

Regular gate admission is discounted to $10 for seniors daily during the fair's run. Special senior discount days are scheduled for Monday, Aug. 29 and Thursday, Sept. 1 when guests 65 and over save an additional $3 off regular senior admission and are admitted for just $7.

The Sept. 1 Seniors Day features several special events for seniors. Carousel Park hosts Minnesota's Largest Senior Stretch & Stroll, an event designed to help stretch muscles and encourage aerobic walking. Health-related information, music and prizes are all part of the celebration. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and the program begins at 10 a.m. In addition, two Minnesota seniors will be recognized as Minnesota's Outstanding Senior Citizens at 10:30 a.m. at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell. Out of a pool of nominees from each county in the state, winners are chosen for their outstanding commitment to community service since reaching the age of 65.

Special free entertainment will be highlighted every day on the fair's free stages. On Seniors Days, entertainment on the Ramberg Senior Center Stage (sponsored by Cal Spas) includes: The Gallivanters and The Fairlanes on Aug. 29; and Julie Lee's White Rose Band and Jim Berner's Music Legends on Sept. 1. Also on Seniors Days, the Heritage Square Stage (sponsored by August Schell Brewing Co.) features Wally Pikal, Barbary Coast Dixieland Show Band and The Barley Jacks with Brian Wicklund on Aug. 29; and The High 48s Bluegrass Band, The Tommy Horton Show and Deke Dickerson on Sept. 1.

The 2011 Grandstand Series includes The Happy Together Tour 2011 featuring The Turtles with Flo &?Eddie, The Association, The Grass Roots, The Buckinghams and Mark Lindsay, former lead singer of Paul Revere & the Raiders on Aug. 29; Steely Dan with special guest Sam Yahel on Aug. 30; and A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor on Sept. 2. Call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or the State Fair Box Office at (651) 288-4427 for Grandstand ticket information. For the complete lineup, visit mnstatefair.org.

The Great Minnesota Get-Together offers many services and amenities for guest convenience including free trolley rides (sponsored by Gold'n Plump) to the north end of the fairgrounds; cash machines (sponsored by TCF Bank); information booths (sponsored by CenturyLink) stocked with free maps, daily schedules (sponsored by the Minnesota State Lottery), specialty brochures and Deals, Drawings and Giveaways Guides; and Medical Aid Stations (sponsored by Regions Hospital) located on the north and east ends of the fairgrounds.

The 2011 Minnesota State Fair runs Aug. 25 through Labor Day, Sept. 5. For more information on senior programs, call (651) 288-4400 or write to Minnesota State Fair Senior Programs, 1265 Snelling Avenue North, St. Paul, MN 55108-3099. Information is also available on the State Fair website at www.mnstatefair.org.