Minnesota State Fair Brings in Big Money

The state fair is as Minnesotan as you can get with concerts, great food and live stock shows. On an economic level, The Great Minnesota Get-Together is a cash cow.

"Last year the fair earned $41 million in revenue," state fair general manager Jerry Hammer said.

He says, all of that money goes right back into the fair for next year. So when it comes to producing the fair and taking care of the fairgrounds ... new buildings, maintenance, all of that comes from that revenue. It receives no kind of subsidies from any form of government.

"There are no stake holders, dividends, there's no anything. So the more successful each fair is, the more we are able to do the following year," Hammer said.

Maintenance on the place is roughly $3 million a year. Throw in another $5 million for upgrades. The highlight of this year is the new AG Star Arena. Folks walking around say, they are pleased with the way things are being run.

"I think they do a great job, because they offer so many brochures and advice and information on what to do, " Robin Welsbrod said.