Ticket prices, hours set for 2022 Minnesota State Fair

We are getting some updates on the Great Minnesota Get-Together.

Ticket prices have now been set.

Adults will pay an extra dollar at the gate for a $17 admission this year. Kids ages 5-12 and adults over 64 can get in for $15. Those 4 and under can get in for free.

The pre-fair ticket sale is also at a discount right now, for $13 each. That goes up to $14 in February.

“Our costs continue to go up, all our production, everything we do, everything we provide,” Jerry Hammer, the State Fair’s general manager, said.

Find more ticket information here.

The State Fair is trimming hours as well, cutting two hours off most days. The fairgrounds will be open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25 through Sunday, Sept. 4, and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Labor Day, Sept. 5.

Hammer said the time changes will allow more time for staff to clean and prepare for the next day at a time when officials are expecting another possible worker shortage.

“Now that we’ve lived it, we’re making that a big part of our planning, how will we do it, anticipating that we will be short-staffed somewhat, more efficient with what you do,” Hammer said.

“I just want to be a fair vendor … I want be fair to everybody and to myself,” said Sara Hayden, the owner of Sara’s Tipsy Pies, which is based in Stillwater but also has a fair booth.

“It’s important to have an item that everyone can afford. We’re a family of seven, before I was a vendor, we had to pick and choose what we’d spend our money on,” Hayden said.

Prices for Hayden’s pies are top of mind since it’s something she hasn’t changed since 2016.

“It’s still feeling a little chaotic to me; because of the supply chain, I don’t have a firm grasp on my cost because everything keeps going up,” Hayden said. “It’s a big concern.”

State fair organizers reported an operating loss of $1.3 million for 2021. That follows a reported $16.5 million operating loss in 2020 when the fair was canceled. Planning for the 2022 fair is underway as the fair continues rebuilding, organizers said.

The Minnesota State Fair kicks off on Aug. 25 this year.