FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. — We are now just one week out from the start of the Great Minnesota Get-Together, and the latest installment of our summer series drone series is flying over the 322 acres that serve as home to the Minnesota State Fair.
Here are some facts about this much-loved place in Falcon Heights: The fair employs 80 people full time on the grounds year around, hiring another 450 in seasonal staff when summer rolls around.
The fairgrounds are renowned for beautiful gardens and unusual architecture reflecting the art deco and Works Progress Administration eras when they were built.
Hundreds of events are held on the fairgrounds throughout the year outside the fair's 12-day run, including horse and livestock competitions, merchandise sales, expositions, car shows and more.
And what happens on this acreage makes a significant contribution to the larger community. The year-round operations of the 2018 Minnesota State Fair generated $268 million in economic impact across the Twin Cities.