State Fair

The 2025 Minnesota State Fair runs Aug. 21 through Sept. 1. For all of the events at the MPR booth and Dan Patch Park, go to mpr.org/statefair.

Sign language interpreters open State Fair concerts to all
American Sign Language interpreters are some of the important but mostly unsung folks working at the fair. For those who need them, they’re vital to the experience — even at the fair’s loud, high-energy concerts.
Appetites: A look behind 'Turkey To Go' sandwiches at the fair
Turkey To Go sells more than 4,000 sandwiches every day during the State Fair. Secret? “It smells a little bit like Thanksgiving, which, you know, who doesn't love that,” says Lara Durben, head of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association.
Filmmakers reach out directly to audiences at the State Fair
The toughest part about moviemaking today is, arguably, not the production, but finding an audience. The star and the director of a new comedy drama spent the day at the fair pitching their movie to live audiences.
A conversation with the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey are both young and full of energy, and they both have ambitious hopes for their respective cities. They joined Angela Davis on stage at the Minnesota State Fair for a conversation about their work, their friendship and the issues they face.
Minneapolis Fed debuts at State Fair amid economic turmoil
The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis has a booth at the Minnesota State Fair for the first time this year. The bank is making its debut amid roiling financial markets, fears of recession and a slew of attacks on the Federal Reserve from President Trump.
'It's showtime': 4-H'ers work for months to get animals ready for State Fair
Each day at the Minnesota State Fair, thousands of people wander into the livestock barns to look at award-winning cows, sheep and pigs. But behind each of those animals — and sometimes sleeping in the stalls with them — are kids who have put in months of hard work preparing for the fair.