The Great Minnesota Get-Together Brings in New Attractions for 2016
Minnesota State Fair announces new experiences
If you’re planning to head down to the Great Minnesota Get-Together this coming August, you can expect some new sights and experiences.
The Minnesota State Fair announced, Wednesday that there will be dozens of new attractions:
Hen House
Visitors will be able to discover more about how farmers use different egg production systems to produce safe food. Two flocks of hens will be on exhibit, showing modern housing designed for egg-laying.
Located in the CHS Miracle of Birth Center. Open 9am-9pm daily.
Recipe Card Roundup
This year’s Recipe Card Roundup giveaway features six to ribbon-winning recipes from 2015. A limited quantity of the collectible cards will be given away at 10am-4pm, while supplies last each day.
Located in the Creative Activities Building. Limited quantity given out daily- recipes vary every day.
National Park Service Centennial Day at Carousel Park
Minnesota’s six national parks come together to host a day celebrating the National Park Service Centennial in 2016. Hands-on activity stations by the parks and their partners educate, entertain, and inspire fair guests to get to know and treasure national parks. Visitors can collect an exclusive State Fair-only stamp as part of the National Park Service passport program.
Located at Carousel Park on Monday, Aug. 29 9am-6pm
Garden Kaleidoscopes & Floralpalooza: Color Your World
Fair guests have the opportunity to peer into distinctive garden kaleidoscopes and see flowers transform into mesmerizing images of color and movement. Unique metal sculptures, a collection of botanical couture designs, and a piano player will be on display.
Located in the Agriculture Horticulture Building Rotunda. Open 9am-9pm daily.
Kemps Little Farm Hands – New Features
New hands-on learning adventures have sprouted at Kemps Little Farm Hands, the mock farm experiences is designed for young fair fans ages 3-10. Little farmers can explore why soil erosion occurs, the importance of pollination, the work of honeybees, how water travels in a cycle, and what rain barrels do. Children get the opportunity to wander through a new path in the Field of Knowledge to get an up-close look at soybeans, wheat, a straw bale garden and a variety of sunflowers.
Located at Kemps Little Farm Hands. Open 8am-7pm daily.
The Great Yoga Get-Together at Carousel Park
From novice yogi to a long-time practitioner, will experience different styles of yoga at this event at Carousel Park. Experienced instructors lead a variety of classes in formats ranging from powerful flow to a light workshop to an educational seminar.
Located at Carousel Park on Sunday, Sept 4, 9am-6pm
New Construction on the State Fairgrounds
A new 6,540-square-foot restroom located just south of Kidway on Cooper Street is home to men’s and women’s facilities, and 14 family restrooms.
The 35-year-old Family Fair Stage at Baldwin Park has been replaced with a new state.
New Competitions
4-H Meat Grilling Contest: Teams are given 30 minutes to prepare and grill Minnesota-produced meat. Participants are judged on taste, appearance, and knowledge of nutrition. Friday-Sunday, Aug 26-28 i
Draft Horse Barrel RAcing: Draft horses will stride and race around barrels. Sunday Aug. 28, 8am
Located at the Warner Coliseum
Eco Experience – New Highlights
An array of new exhibits highlighting the latest in easy, everyday reduce-reuse-recycle how-tos, healthy cooking, innovations in green technology and transportation, and other compelling topics on environmentally focused living.
Located in the Progress Center. Open 9am-9pm daily.
New Kidway Ride
Charlie Chopper airlifts pilots skyward for a birds-eye view of Kidway.
Located at Kidway, sponsored by DISH.
Selfie Spots
Five iconic fairground locations will be marked with a Selfie Spot badge on the ground. Visitors can stand on the badges to snap State Fair memories.
Located at five spots throughout the fairgrounds. Check out “Selfie Spots” in the Visitor Guide at mnstatefiar.org, or stop by one of the information booths for exact locations.
Bulls & Barrels Championship
Bull riders from across the Midwest vie for thousands of dollars in prize money in a mere 8-seconds. Horse and rider combos will also be bolting through cloverleaf barrel patters in a race against the clock.
Located in the Lee and Rose Warner Coliseum at 3 & 6 pm, Monday Sept. 5.
Anniversaries of Fairchild and the Moo Booth
2016 marks significant anniversaries for these State Fair icons:
Fairchild turns 50! Fairchild the Gopher wears a green pinstriped jacket an dis often seen with his sidekick, Fairborne. Visitors can pose for photos with Fairchild daily at the Visitors Plaza from 11am-4pm.
The Moo Booth in the Cattle Barn celebrates 25 years. Guests can learn about cattle care and more. There will be 25th anniversary activities daily at 12:30 pm, and an anniversary party at 3 pm on Friday, Aug. 26, following the Celebrity Milking Contest.
Arts A’Fair – New Groups
These pop-up showcases celebrate performing arts in Minnesota. Making their Arts A’Fair debut this year are Carly Wicks, Chicks on Sticks, Dreamland Arts, Interact Theater Company, and Mixed Precipitation. Returning for encores are Black Storytellers Alliance, COLLIDE Theatrical Dance Company, Duniya Drum & Dance, Green T Productions, Ifrah Mansour, In the Heart of the Beast Puppet & Mask Theatre, Open Eye Figure Theatre, Stages Theatre Company, Theatre of Fools, Z Puppets Rosenschnoz, and Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre & School.
Located at the Education Building Courtyard and West End Market
Gate #18 Trolley Route
A free ADA-accessible trolley will run along Randall Avenue with stops at Buford Avenue and Gate #18 at Dan Elmer Way. The trolley, which runs 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 to 9 p.m. daily, will serve guests who enter at Buford Avenue or park at the Robin Lot.
Located on Randall Avenue with stops at Buford Avenue and at Gate #18, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 to 9 p.m.
CHS Miracle of Birth Center History Highlight
In the 15 years since it was established and 10 years since the move to its current location, the CHS Miracle of Birth Center has become the most popular free exhibit at the State Fair and is the birthplace of nearly 200 calves, lambs, goats and piglets each fair. The Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association coordinates 150 volunteer veterinarians to staff the center, along with University of Minnesota interns and FFA members who feed and care for the animals. The CHS Miracle of Birth Center is a new stop on the self-guided History Walking and Cell Phone Tour. Pick up a tour brochure from the History & Heritage Center or at any tour stop on the fairgrounds, or call (877) 411-4123 to listen anywhere.
Located at the CHS Miracle of Birth Center
Special Exhibits
Fifteen traveling exhibits make a stop at the fair this year. New exhibit highlights include:
• Go RVing (Aug. 25-28): Sponsor of Family Fair. Promotion of RVing through RV tours, giveaways and games.
• Malt O’Meal (Aug. 25-Sept. 5): Sampling 15 varieties of cereal.
• Red Baron (Aug. 25-27): Giving away Red Baron pizza samples.
• Silver Jeans (Aug. 25-Sept. 5): Providing custom fitting sessions and onsite sales of Silver clothing.
Located throughout the fairgrounds
New Merchandise Vendors – For 2016, the Minnesota State Fair welcomes more than 50 new merchandise vendors selling goods including upcycled gifts, home and garden décor, foodie products, gadgets, apparel, accessories and home solutions. These vendors join the nearly 1,000 existing merchants who offer exceptional merchandise and great savings.
Located throughout the fairgrounds. For more information and a complete list of shops and vendors at the 2016 Minnesota State Fair, use the online, searchable Merch & More Search. This tool is also part of the free State Fair App for iPhones and Androids.
The Minnesota State Fair is one of the largest and best-attended expositions in the world, attracting 1.8 million visitors annually. Showcasing Minnesota’s finest agriculture, art and industry, the Great Minnesota Get-Together is always 12 Days of Fun Ending Labor Day. Visit mnstatefair.org for more information. The 2016 Minnesota State Fair runs Aug. 25 – Labor Day, Sept. 5.
