FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. — The gates will open soon in Falcon Heights for the 2024 Great Minnesota Get-Together.
This year's guide will get you from your couch to eating corn dogs — pronto — and help you maneuver your way through the Mighty Midway, multitudes of farm animals and a mega-ton of food options.
Here's a list of some of the top things to knock off your Sweet Martha's bucket list:
Skyride - (Cooper, across from Space Tower) - Think about beginning your day at the fair with the gondola-style ride that gives you a birds-eye view of the layout. It's 6 bucks one-way or $10 for a round trip.
Space Tower - (Cooper & Cosgrove) - Another good ride to get your bearings but this ride is just $5 per person and it's newer than the 1962 Skyrider... it was built in 1965.
The Great Big Wheel - (Randall & Cooper) - You would think this would be No. 1 on the list, but it's one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the world — so your anxiety might interfere with its fantastic view. It costs $7 per rider.
The Giant Slide - (Carnes & Dan Patch) - Perhaps the best time you'll ever have with a gunny sack. The Giant Slide was built in 1968 and costs $4 to ride. Back in 1968, it was 25 cents.
Ye Old Mill - (Carnes & Underwood) - This ride is the oldest at the fair and it's considered the original "tunnel of love." It was built in 1915 and a ticket is $5.
Milk and cookies - (Milk stand: Judson & Clough| Martha's: 3 locations) - One of the best state fair moves is to buy a ($19) bucket of Sweet Martha's cookies and take it to the ($3) All You Can Drink Milk booth.
Corn Dog vs. Pronto Pup -(Several stands throughout fairgrounds) - The age-old battle is becoming increasingly moot. Just buy the one you like the most or get both to taste the difference. They usually cost around $6 or $7.
Corn Roast - (Dan Patch & Nelson) -A food synonymous with the fair is sweet corn on the cob. Besides being delicious, it's one of the healthier and cheaper options, with an ear of corn costing $3.
Miracle of Birth Barn - (Judson & Clough) - One of the most popular farm exhibits for children. Young volunteers show off even younger birds, calves, lambs, goats and piglets. It's FREE and open from 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Leinie Lodge Bandshell - (Cosgrove, next to Space Tower) - Sure, the Grandstand has the big acts but at the cost of big bucks. You might discover your favorite new artist for FREE here during one of their several shows throughout the week.
Traditions to-do list
Many families have traditions they embrace once they enter the fair such as eating a homemade breakfast at the Hamline Church Dining Hall, buying their favorite food on a stick like the famous pronto pup, or visiting all the farm animals in the a.m. because the barns generally smell better during the cooler morning hours.
Things you can bring
You can bring outside food and drinks into the fairgrounds, and the Minnesota State Fair bag policy allows backpacks and coolers. However, bags are subject to search. Remember, no outside alcohol may be brought into the fair. Coolers are also not permitted at the Grandstand.
Things to leave at home
Okay, you made it to the gate. Here's a list of stuff NOT to stow away in your backpack, according to the fair's website.
- Weapons or objects that appear to be weapons
- Fireworks or other explosive and flammable objects
- Alcoholic beverages or any illegal substance
- Drones or any remote-controlled toys
- Bikes, skateboards, skates, hoverboards
A popular question, according to organizers, is whether pets are allowed at the fair. The answer is no, unless they're service dogs.
"Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act," according to the fair's website.
Dates & Hours
This year, the fair runs from Aug. 22 through Labor Day on Sept. 2 and the fairgrounds are open from 7 a.m. through 11 p.m. every day except Labor Day, when the gates close at 9 p.m.
Buying tix & riding the bus
Tickets for the fair can be purchased in numerous different ways. Your best bet is to buy ahead of time and use the mobile ticket on your phone. Other choices include printing tickets at home or by visiting various Cub Foods locations and other grocery stores across Minnesota and western Wisconsin. You can also purchase tickets by phone at 800-514-3849.
All of these options will cost $15 for pre-fair discount admission tickets. With that being said, you can still get them the old-fashioned way at the State Fairground Ticket Office — but they'll run you $18. Remember, kids who are 4 and under are free!
Every year, traffic and parking are a beast, but another pro tip for fair-goers is to take advantage of Metro Transit's deal, which offers hassle-free rides to the fair for 5 or 6 bucks.
Metro Transit
This year, two Express Bus Service locations have been added to a total of six Metro Transit locations:
Blaine: 95th Ave. Park & Ride, NW corner of I-35W & 95th Ave. NE
Maple Grove (new): Weekends and Labor Day only. 12350 Main St.
Maplewood (new): Maplewood Mall Park & Ride, NE corner of Beam Ave. and Southlawn Dr.
Minnetonka: I-394 and Co. Rd. 73 Park & Ride, SW corner of I-394 & Co. Rd. 73
Bloomington: 30th Ave. Park & Ride, NW corner of 30th Ave. and 82nd St.
Cottage Grove: Cottage Grove Park & Ride, along Hwy. 61 on W. Point Douglas Rd. between 80th St. and Jamaica Ave.
If one of these Park & Ride locations is convenient for you, it's a highly recommended relaxing ride in comparison to hauling the family in the van and paying for parking. The cost is $6 cash roundtrip; a $5 ticket with the Metro Transit app; or the $5 Bus Bargain ticket you get online.
Monday through Friday bus service begins at 8 a.m. and the last bus leaves the fair at midnight. The same is true for weekends with buses rolling at 8 a.m. and the last bus leaving at midnight.
On Labor Day, bus service begins at 8 a.m., and the last bus leaves at 11 p.m.
Minnesota Valley Transit Authority
The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) will also shuttle visitors to and from the fair.
The MVTA is offering direct bus service all days of the fair to and from Burnsville Transit Station, Eagan Transit Station and Southbridge Park & Ride in Shakopee. Round-trip fare will be $6 via the RideMVTA App or $6 cash when boarding. Be sure to have the exact amount, as bus drivers don't make change! Children 5 and under ride for free.
Burnsville: Burnsville Transit Station, Hwy. 13 and Nicollet Avenue
Eagan: Eagan Transit Station, Yankee Doodle and Pilot Knob Road l-35E
Shakopee: Southbridge Crossings, 1401 Crossings Blvd. in Shakopee.
Buses will be departing from each station every 15-20 minutes:
Weekdays: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Weekends: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Labor Day: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The return service from the fair is from noon to 11:30 p.m. (9:30 p.m. Labor Day).
Southwest Transit
Southwest Transit will also be transporting people to the fair, offering four bus stations:
Eden Prairie: SouthWest Station, 13500 Technology Dr.
Chanhassen: SouthWest Village, Hwy. 212 & Hwy. 101
Chaska: East Creek Station, Hwy. 212 & Hwy. 41
Carver: Carver Station, 1607 Harwell Dr., Carver.
Buses depart from each station every 30 minutes from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Buses will depart the fair every 30 minutes starting at 10 a.m. to midnight.
Tickets are 6 bucks for everyone — adults, seniors and children. However, children 5 and under ride for free.
By the way, if you've been keeping count, bus locations now total 13 for this year's fair.
