Minnesota State Fair 2023: What’s new, what’s changing, and what’s gone
This year’s Minnesota State Fair is poised to be a big one, folks — and it’s less than a month away.
Last year, the fair continued to bounce back from Covid-19 disruptions with a total attendance of 1,842,222 across the 12 days. That’s 42 percent higher than 2021 and among the best-attended Minnesota State Fairs of all time.
When the State Fair opens Thursday, Aug. 24, many beloved traditions will remain the same, from the Giant Slide to the fireworks. But as always, new attractions give us plenty to explore. This year also marks milestone birthdays for some fair favorites, including the Amateur Talent Contest (50 years), the second gopher mascot Fairborne (40 years) and Little Farm Hands (20 years).
From greater accessibility to the end of red paper Mighty Midway tickets, here are the highlights of what’s changing, what’s new, and what’s gone at this year’s Fair:
What’s changing
Dollars to doughnuts: Admission prices are increasing by $1 per ticket this year to fund improvements in facility maintenance, free busing, and public safety. Regular admission for folks 13–64 years old is $18, and kids 5–12 and seniors 65+ get in for $16. Children under 4 are free.
On the subject of safety: Safety also continues to be a priority at the State Fair. Metal detectors will remain in use, and guns are still banned on the fairgrounds, as has been the case for decades. (Judges have continually rejected lawsuits that aimed reverse this policy.) Last year, police presence was increased for the final few days of the State Fair following a late-night gunshot injury near the Midway. A State Fair spokesperson on Tuesday declined to provide additional information regarding the 2023 fair and said a full safety protocol will be revealed closer to the fair’s opening date.
A more accessible get-together: Several updates are aimed at making the fairgrounds more accessible to all.
• Gate 9, the south drop-off for Metro Mobility and buses for fairgoers with disability parking tags, has been redeveloped with wider entrance/exit gates and a larger rental area for wheelchairs, scooters and strollers. This gate is located on Como Avenue, near the Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum; part of the expansion is on the former site of the River Raft Ride, which did not reopen after the pandemic.
• A mobile restroom with a height-adjustable sink, ceiling hoist to help folks transfer in and out of wheelchairs, and large changing table will be available as well. Provided by a company called Momentum Refresh, this restroom will be on the north end of the fair, about a block up from the Eco Experience. (East side of Cosgrove Street, north of Lee Avenue.) The facility is staffed, so it’s open daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (8 p.m. on Labor Day)
• The Fair is also offering a sensory-friendly morning at the Mighty Midway and Kidway, with reduced brightness and noise volume. This’ll take place Monday, Aug. 28; 9–11 a.m. at the Kidway and 10 a.m. to noon at the Midway.
All oinked up: The Oink Booth, one of the fair’s most fun-to-say attractions, has been completely redesigned in partnership with Minnesota Pork to resemble a real working pig farm. More games, more pig ear headbands, more oink.
How sweet it is: The fair’s rotating North End Events Center is becoming the “Sweet & Selfie Experience,” a walk-through exhibit of mega-sized donuts and candy that organizers say “create Instagram-worthy moments.” Plus, candy trivia. It’s free.
First go-round for new leader: This year’s fair is new CEO Renee Alexander’s first in the top job. Alexander, the fair’s longtime entertainment and marketing leader, took over the CEO role from Jerry Hammer, who had led the fair since 1997. Her first State Fair job was as an intern in the 1980s, she told us when her promotion was announced.
What’s new
Pickle party: The fair’s official new foods list contains 34 offerings, from a bacon-wrapped waffle dog to a cheese curd-stuffed pizza pretzel. But with pickle fries, pickle lemonade and even pickle fudge, we’re definitely sensing a theme here. The list of new beers will likely be announced in early August.
Speaking of sour: The Perfect Pickle, the big green stand by the park-and-ride entrance and Mighty Midway, is adding a second location. This year, they’ll also sling deep-fried pickles and pickles on a stick on the north end of the fairgrounds by the tractors, near the intersection of Underwood Street and Lee Avenue.
More like Great Minnesota Golf-Together: Can Can Wonderland’s Mini Golf On-A-Stick, which debuted at the Kickoff to Summer event, is sticking around for the real deal. It’s a nine-hole putt putt course devoted to State Fair landmarks like the Space Tower and Giant Slide. $10 per person; located at the far north end of the fairgrounds by The Hangar.
Shop till you drop: A whole bunch of new vendors are joining the nearly 1,000 merchants, nonprofits and exhibitors at the State Fair. Art, home decor, gift ideas, clothing, and advocacy groups are among the newcomers.
In a past life: The History Walking Tour continues to grow this year with five new stops: the Bandshell, a.k.a. the Leinie Lodge Bandshell Stage, built in 1971 (sorry, folks — that’s history now!); the Farm Boys’ Camp that began in 1912; Fairborne, who’s celebrating his 40th birthday this year as the fair’s second mascot; the former livestock Judging Arena that was replaced in 2012; and the parade. Walking tour brochures are available at any stop, at the J.V. Bailey House, or at the History & Heritage Center.
Kid-renaline rush: Two new rides hit the Kidway this year: The Beach Shack spins and tilts; the Pump & Jump climbs and drops in a miniature Power Tower-style ride.
What’s gone
Life in plastic: Those iconic red paper tickets at the Mighty Midway are going the way of Barbie: They’re becoming plastic. This year, instead of tickets for rides and games, you’ll get a “Fun Card” that you can scan and reload as you please. $1 per ticket; as before, individual attractions cost different amounts of tickets. Tickets on your Fun Card can be used any day of the 2023 Fair, but they expire after this year’s fair is over.
