State Fair vendors optimistic about revenue rebound

Vendors at the Minnesota State Fair are optimistic that this year will be the long-anticipated rebound.

“I think we’re back at a good point that things are going to be good this year,” said Erica Haag, who runs Kora’s Cookie Dough near the entrance of the fair.

Initially on Monday, the fair reported experiencing a $1.3 million operating loss last year as fewer crowds funneled through the fairgrounds as the COVID-19 pandemic remained top of mind.

However, later in the day Monday, the fair provided updated and audited numbers on operating income, indicating a $3.2 million gain last year.

In terms of that $4.5 million difference, fair organizers solely cited calculating retirement disbursements. Organizers told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS these vary wildly every year.

That number marks an improvement from the $16.5 million loss experienced in 2020 when the fair was cancelled due to the pandemic, but well short of pre-pandemic levels. Before the pandemic, the fair regularly generated between $2 million and $9 million in income.

“2019 was a really great year, record-setting year for a lot of people here. And then we had COVID,” Haag said. “So I think we’re going be going back up the hill now.”

Haag said she just came from the Wisconsin State Fair, where the crowd was larger than expected— leading to even more optimism about what’s to come in Minnesota.

Revenue at this year’s fair will get an immediate boost as soon as people walk through the gates. Ticket prices are now $17 per person—up $1 from last year.

Editor’s Note: A previous version of this report indicated the fair experienced a $1.3 million operating loss last year. However, fair officials responded late in the day Monday to report updated and audited numbers on operating income, indicating a $3.2 million gain.