MN State Fair officials urge people to plan wisely following stormy weekend

Ben Henry KSTP

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A stormy weekend at the Great-Minnesota-Get-Together has fair officials warning people to plan ahead of their visit.

Intense storms ripped through the metro, including the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, on Saturday night. An area near the grandstand flooded and the main concert was canceled because of the storm’s severity.

“My tarps came down and they’re all ripped and everything,” Rich Christie of the Walkabout Company, said about his booth where he sells hats. 

“Everyone was running the cover,” Christie added about Saturday night. “It was raining cats and dog [but] I think it was raining buffaloes and hippos,” he added with a laugh. 

Fair officials have resources online to help people prepare their plans for the fair and if rough weather hits while they’re there.

Minnesota State Fair

One necessary preparation is knowing where the emergency shelters are.

These emergency shelters include:

  • Grandstand
  • 4-H Building
  • Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum
  • Minnesota State Fair water tower (on the campground)

Another preparation is ensuring your phone’s emergency alert system is turned on.

“We have the National Weather Service working with us and giving us that info so we can get that out in real-time,” Chief Ron Knafla, with the Minnesota State Fair Police Department, said about their severe weather notification system. 

“Pay attention to your surroundings, the weather, and know what the forecast is for the day,” Chief Knafla added. 

Fair officials have also posted updates and weather alerts on Twitter.