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.

At fair, Smith and Housley disagree on much, especially Trump
One of the hardest fought campaigns this fall is the U.S. Senate contest between Democrat Tina Smith and Republican Karin Housley. The candidates have been making their pitch to voters at the State Fair.
Reptile show at the Minnesota State Fair goes on without founder
Monty's Traveling Reptile Show continues to entertain fairgoers even without its namesake proprietor to welcome them. Monty Krizan, the show's founder and namesake, died in April of heart failure at age 74.
New apple variety debuts at State Fair
The First Kiss apple was developed at the University of Minnesota. It's based off a Honeycrisp apple but ripens up to a month earlier, about Aug. 20 -- right around fair time.
Meet the man behind the State Fair's wildest rides
A Texas thrill ride operator who prides himself on offering some of the biggest attractions returns to the Minnesota State Fair. Michael Wood, the son of Michigan carnival workers, was "born into the business." He took over for his pioneering father who died 20 years ago.