Ways to save, bargains to take advantage of at Minnesota State Fair

In less than two weeks, the Minnesota State Fair will open its gates. This year’s 12-day event will feature a variety of discounts, special deal days and money-saving tools.

Before-the-fair savings

Pre-fair discount admission tickets are $13 (a $3 discount off the regular adult admission price and a $1 discount off regular senior and kids admission prices) and are valid any one day of the fair for any age (children 4 and under are always free). Also prior to the fair, Mighty Midway and Kidway ride and game tickets are $15 for a sheet of 20 (a savings of up to $5).

Discount State Fair admission tickets, discount Mighty Midway and Kidway ride and game tickets, and Blue Ribbon Bargain Books are available through Aug. 25 at the State Fairgrounds Ticket Office off Como Avenue (Loop Gate #9), participating Cub locations and numerous locations in Greater Minnesota and Hudson, Wis. (while supplies last). Discount admission tickets may also be purchased online until 9 p.m. Aug. 25. Online orders for Midway/Kidway ride and game tickets, Blue Ribbon Bargain Books and admission tickets that must be mailed should be placed by 5 p.m. Aug. 12.

During the fair, the regular admission price is $16 for adults (13-64); $14 for seniors (65+); and $14 for kids (5-12). Children 4 and under are always admitted free. Mighty Midway and Kidway tickets purchased at the fair are $1 per ticket, $25 per sheet of 28 tickets, or $50 per sheet of 60 tickets. Throughout the fair, Blue Ribbon Bargain Books are $5 and available at State FairWear gift shops and Bargain Book and State Fair poster carts (while supplies last).

Special deal days

The State Fair kicks off with savings on Opening Day, Aug. 26. Discounted admission is $14 for adults (13-64) and $11 for seniors (65+) and kids (5-12) when purchased at the gate.

Monday, Aug. 30, and Thursday, Sept. 2, are Seniors Days. Seniors (65+) are admitted for $11 when tickets are purchased at the gate.

Military Appreciation Day is Tuesday, Aug. 31, when active military and their families, as well as retired and veteran military and their spouses, are admitted for $11 when they purchase admission at the gate with documentation of U.S. military service.

Wednesday, Sept. 1, and Labor Day, Sept. 6, are Kids Days. Kids (5-12) are admitted for $11 when tickets are purchased at the gate.

In addition, many vendors feature special day deals for all State Fair guests on Opening Day, Aug. 26; Seniors Days Aug. 30 & Sept. 2; Military Appreciation Day, Aug. 31; and Kids Days, Sept. 1 & 6. Participating vendors will display a special day deal sign and are listed in the Deals, Drawings & Giveaways Guide available at all information booths and online. Select vendors also feature last chance deals on Labor Day, Sept. 6.

More fun for less at Mighty Midway and Kidway

Specials are offered every weekday on rides and games at Mighty Midway and Kidway. All-day specials run Thursday, Aug. 26; Monday, Aug. 30; Wednesday, Sept. 1; and Monday, Sept. 6. Early bird specials are offered until 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 27; Tuesday, Aug. 31; Thursday, Sept. 2; and Friday, Sept. 3.

Blue Ribbon Bargain Book

The 2021 Blue Ribbon Bargain Book offers 100 coupons with savings of at least 30% on food, merchandise and attractions throughout the fairgrounds. Coupons are valid all 12 days of the fair, and a preview of the bargains is available online. Books are $5 and available at the State Fair ticket office, participating Cub locations and at many locations in Greater Minnesota and Hudson, Wis. (while supplies last), and during the fair at State FairWear gift shops. Books purchased during the fair support the Minnesota State Fair Foundation’s mission to preserve and improve fair buildings, the fairgrounds and educational programs.

Deals, drawings and giveaways guide

Available to view and print now online or for pick up at any information booth, the deals, drawings and giveaways guide details special day deals, freebies and places to sign up and have the chance to win prizes.

Free entertainment and attractions

This year’s State Fair features many free attractions and exhibits, including the following:

• Nightly fireworks spectacular.
• Live music and entertainment all day and night at stages throughout the fairgrounds, including the Cosgrove Stage, where community groups perform.
• The daily parade at 2 p.m., featuring the high school marching band exhibition.
• Dog agility and police K-9 demonstrations outside the Pet Pavilions.
• FAN Central, which features local sports teams and merchandise.
• A wide variety of horses that can be seen daily throughout the fair in the Horse Barn and also competing as part of the Minnesota State Fair Horse Show, free with fair admission.
• The finest needlework, handcrafts, baking and canning that Minnesota has to offer. Located in the Creative Activities Building.
• Fruit, wine, Christmas tree, crop art, flower, vegetable, potato, bee and honey contests along with the Giant Pumpkin Contest in the Agriculture Horticulture Building.
• The Grandstand Exhibit Building, which has two levels of shopping at more than 160 vendors.
• The Dairy Building, which is home to the famed Princess Kay butter sculptures and malts and sundaes, as well as several vendors selling outdoor gear, home improvement merchandise, wool products and more.
• Family-friendly entertainment at the Family Fair Stage at Baldwin Park.
• Thank a Farmer Magic Show on the Christensen Farms Stage, where children of all ages learn about the role agriculture plays in our daily lives.
• Insight, ideas and products for fair guests planning to update or remodel their homes in the Home Improvement Building.
• The Timberworks Lumberjack and All-Star Stunt Dogs Splash shows at the North Woods.
• The Kemps Little Farm Hands agricultural education experience.
• Karaoke and music in The Garden.

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