Latest news with #GreatMinnesotaGet-Together
Axios
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Twin Cities weekend guide: State Fair sneak peek and Lord of the Rings Day
Craving a Pronto Pup? Get one straight from the source at Kickoff to Summer at the Fair, the annual chance to enjoy many Great Minnesota Get-Together festivities without the record-breaking crowds. What to expect: More food than ever — including last year's love-it-or-hate-it deep-fried ranch dressing — Giant Slide rides, yard games, a Minnesotan vendor market and free parking. Audrey's thought bubble: If you're a fair food fan who also hates lines, this is the event for you. I got the Amish doughnuts last year in 10 minutes... instead of three hours. Thursday–Friday 4–9pm, Saturday–Sunday 11am–7pm. $13 in advance, $16 at the gate. Note: Attendance is limited. More things to do... 🏞️ Journey to Middle-earth this Saturday for Lord of the Rings Day at Inbound BrewCo in North Loop. Activities include an all-day LOTR vendor market, themed drinks, trivia, a costume contest and music from Gus the Bard. Free 👷♂️ "Block party" has a new meaning at Blackstack Brewing this Saturday as the St. Paul spot transforms into a mini Legoland from 12–4pm. Lego fans can check out rare, hard-to-find sets and custom creations from local sellers, and enter to win a brand-new mystery set. Space to sell has filled up, but buying and trading is welcome. Free 💀 "All things weird" will return to the Oddities and Curiosities Expo at the Minneapolis Convention Center Saturday–Sunday. Expect skulls, funeral collectibles, preserved specimens and much more — including a six-hour hands-on raccoon taxidermy class. $11.55 in advance, $16.83 day-of; class is $325 🪿 Celebrate Rosebud the Goose's 10th birthday at Gibbs Farm's opening day celebration from 10am–4pm Saturday. ❤️ Honor our veterans at Lakewood Cemetery's Memorial Day service on Monday morning, held at the Soldiers Memorial in Section 24 and featuring the Minnesota Freedom Band.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Minnesota State Fair announces 2025 free music, entertainment lineup
The free music and entertainment lineup for this year's Minnesota State Fair has been confirmed. The State Fair announced the list of performers will combine for more than 900 free shows at the fairgrounds over the course of the 12-day Great Minnesota Get-Together. Arguably the most sought-after free shows come in the evenings at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell, with singer-songwriter Rachel Platten, Mexican-American rock group Los Lobos, and Minnesota's own indie-pop artist Ber are among the headliners. There are dozens more acts performing on the various stages during the day and evening, with the full list of confirmed performers found below: Rachel Platten – Aug. 21 & 22 at 8:30 p.m. Arrested Development – Aug. 23 & 24 at 8:30 p.m. Los Lobos – Aug. 25 & 26 at 8:30 p.m. Tayler Holder – Aug. 27 & 28 at 8:30 p.m. Karla Perez: Selena The Show – Aug. 29 & 30 at 8:30 p.m. Ber – Aug. 31 & Sept. 1 at 7:30 p.m. The 34th Infantry Division 'Red Bull' Band Church of Cash Country Roads: The Music of John Denver Davina and The Vagabonds Dylan Salfer Jason Scott & The High Heat Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen Mariachi Campanas de America Matt Vee & The Killer Vees Celebrate the Music of Neil Diamond MPLS the band MSF Amateur Talent Contest Semifinals sponsored by Chase Parrothead Paradise – A Jimmy Buffett Tribute Rosie Flores Sarah Gayle Meech and The Meech Boys Sarah Morris Sean Ardoin Sweet Colleens Talking Dreads Tonic Sol-fa Deke Dickerson & The Whippersnappers – Aug. 21 & 22 at 8 p.m. Jonah Marais – Aug. 23 & 24 at 8 p.m. Poppa Bear Norton – Aug. 25 & 26 at 8 p.m. Lady Midnight – Aug. 27 & 28 at 8 p.m. First Avenue Goes To The Fair – Aug. 29 & 30 at 8 p.m. Joyann Parker – Aug. 31 at 8 p.m. & Sept. 1 at 7:30 p.m. Cindy Lawson Cole Diamond Gary Rue's Magic Carpet Ride Ken Valdez Los Rebeldes Mary Bue Mother Banjo MNHS presents History On-A-Schtick Nicholas David Steve Solkela U.S. Navy Band Country Current Uncle Muskrat Wild Horses Sounds of Santana Starring Joe Cruz – Aug. 21 & 22 at 8 p.m. The Belfast Cowboys – Aug. 23 & 24 at 8 p.m. Jaybee and The Routine – Aug. 25 & 26 at 8 p.m. The Cedar Cultural Center Presents The Global Get-Together – Aug. 27 & 28 at 8 p.m. Malamanya – Aug. 29 & 30 at 8 p.m. Pam McNeill – Janis, Stevie, Dolly, and Me – Aug. 31 at 8 p.m. & Sept. 1 at 7:30 p.m. Ballet Folklorico Mexico Azteca BATO BATO! Café Accordion Orchestra Gizzae Hank Thunander Band Intoxicats Jack Brass Band Los Elegidos De La Música Norteña Native Pride Dancers PanAtics TigerByteFace Tyte Phitt Brad Weston The Chipper Experience! Where Comedy & Magic Collide! The Dollipops Hip Hop Juggler Kenny Ahern Lizzy – Comedy Stage Hypnosis Monster Shop Bump'n MSF County Fair Talent Contest Armenian Dance Ensemble of Minnesota Art of Dance Studio Cinema Ballroom Dance Studio Dance and Entertainment Studios Daybreak Collective House of Dance Keri Simonson's Salsa Dance Line Dance Minnesota Line Dance with Billie Mactír Academy of Irish Dance Minnesota Africans United Minnesota Polka Dancers Miss Shannon's Sock Hop Pleasant Valley Cloggers Prairie Fire Choir Rhythm & Swing Rince na Chroi Irish Dance River City Cloggers Somali Museum Dance Troupe Square Dance Federation of Minnesota Tango Society of Minnesota West Coast Swing Wild Rose Cloggers Young Fiddlers Association of Minnesota Zumba® Fitness All-Star Stunt Dogs Splash and Timberworks Lumberjack Show at The North Woods Stage The daily parade at 2 p.m. with floats, special guests, the State Fair High School Marching Band Competition and more. Arts A'Fair, a celebration of performing arts in Minnesota with pop-up dance, theater and musical showcases (schedule to be announced) Mia Dorr's Premier Karaoke in The Garden.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Minnesota State Fair getting pay-by-mobile parking in 2025
The Brief The City of Falcon Heights is bringing pay-by-mobile parking to streets near the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in 2025. Parking zones will cost $25 per day, and there will be about 1,000 spots available. The measure passed 5-0 at a Falcon Heights City Council meeting Wednesday night. FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (FOX 9) - The City of Falcon Heights on Wednesday voted unanimously to approve pay-by-mobile parking for the Minnesota State Fair starting this year. The city council met Wednesday night and voted 5-0 to implement the program in time for the State Fair, one of the largest in the country. What we know If you plan on driving to the Great Minnesota Get-Together, there should be more parking options on streets near the State Fairgrounds. The measure creates paid parking zones in neighborhoods east of Snelling Avenue that provide about 1,000 spots near the State Fair. Why you should care City officials say the program will charge a flat fee of $25 per day for vehicles to park between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. during the 12 days of the Minnesota State Fair. Fees can be paid online through a web site, app or automated pay-by-phone line. Enforcement will be tied through a vehicle's license plate. The program will also include hiring trained ambassadors to be in parking zones to direct traffic, answer questions and enhance public safety. The city approved five actions related to the program, including a one-year agreement with ParkMobile to be the vendor. Under the agreement, the City of Falcon Heights will receive about 80% of the fees. Dig deeper City officials say residents who live on streets in the designated parking zone will receive one free parking pass in the mail starting in July. They'll have the option to request additional passes, and there will be up to 600 properties eligible for the passes. What they're saying Falcon Heights Mayor Randy Gustafson reacted to the vote Wednesday night. "Pay-by-mobile parking provides an excellent solution to promote safety for our Falcon Heights residents and the hundreds of thousands of visitors we welcome to our city during the Minnesota State Fair," Gustafson said in a statement. "We heard from our residents during this process on how we could improve the plan, and we believe the version adopted by the City Council will meet the needs of our community." Timeline Temporary parking zone signs will be installed before the start of the Minnesota State Fair, and removed after Labor Day. The Source The measure was passed at the Falcon Heights City Council meeting Wednesday night.
Business Journals
21-04-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Minnesota State Fair revamps marketing with 4 local agencies
By submitting your information you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and User Agreement . The Minnesota State Fair is shaking up its marketing approach for the first time in two decades, bringing on board a team of local agencies to freshen its appeal. Story Highlights Minnesota State Fair changes marketing strategy after 20 years. Four local agencies hired to manage different campaign aspects. Campaign aims to diversify fair attendance and reach all Minnesotans. For the first time in 20 years, the Minnesota State Fair is changing up its marketing strategy for the Great Minnesota Get-Together. Instead relying on independent contractors for advertising or other specific jobs, the fair did an official request for proposals for the campaign. The result: Four local agencies to manage different aspects of the campaign. The fair will act as the overall coordinator of the effort. GET TO KNOW YOUR CITY Find Local Events Near You Connect with a community of local professionals. Explore All Events Christine Noonan, marketing director for the Minnesota State Fair, said changing demographics across the state led to the pivot. "When your target market is everybody, but budget is not unlimited, you need to be very strategic about who you reach, when you reach them and how you reach them," Noonan said. "For some Minnesotans, all we need to do is make them aware of the dates. For others, the decision is not as an easy one, so we have a great message of value that we want to convey to folks." Agencies involved: Black Beach Digital Strategy, Minneapolis, will carry out the campaign's social media strategy. Minneapolis-based Hunt Adkins is crafting the creative campaign strategy. La Raza Agency, Richfield, will handle market research. Minneapolis-based Linnihan Foy will oversee media buying. Maya Santamaria, of Santamaria Broadcasting, the parent company of La Raza Agency, said one of her goals for the campaign will be to further diversify the fair. "Like a lot of governmental institutions in Minnesota, and just institutions in general, there has always been kind of a status quo of Anglo dominance, because of the history of Minnesota being a pretty white place," she said. "But that's changed, and a lot of organizations and agencies feel the need to change with the times and change with the community, and as a part of that, marketing departments need to also change how they do their work." Santamaria has been a consultant for the fair in years past as a researcher and anthropologist. She is also the owner of the La Raza, a Richfield-based radio station, that hosted the first ever first-ever Pan-Latina Day at the fair in 2023. Lacey Poppe, Linnihan Foy's account director working with the fair, said the agency is tailoring different messages to various audiences — but with one over-arching theme. "We wanted to make sure that every Minnesotan knew that the Minnesota State Fair is for them, and if they're not there, it's not truly the Great Minnesota Get Together," she said. "So a layered approach, you get multiple messages to multiple different people where they want to hear them at the right time to know that the State Fair is for them." As part of the creative campaign strategy, Hunt Adkins will produce a variety of assets that support TV, radio, digital, print, social and web channels. "The fair is where tradition meets discovery, and we're excited to bring that spirit to life in a campaign that invites everyone to experience it in their own way," Shanna Apitz, the agency's president and chief creative officer, said in a statement. Black Beach Digital could not be reached for comment. Ads for the campaign will start running this summer ahead of the fair, which will span from Aug. 21 to Sept. 1. Last year was one of the fair's best ever, breaking attendance records on nearly half of the days. From Aug. 22 to Sept. 2, over 1.9 million people attended, compared to around 1.8 million in 2023 and 2022, which was a jump from the $1.3 million in 2021.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Your essential guide to exploring Minnesota in every season
Travelers planning a trip in the United States, specifically the Midwest, should add Minnesota to their vacation plans. The Star of the North state has a quiet charm, and its reputation extends beyond its subzero temps and long winters. Visitors can choose a variety of ways to uncover the magic of Minnesota through its epic landscapes and truly unique experiences. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Voyageurs National Park, discover the history found along the stunning North Shore of Lake Superior, try a fried candy bar on a stick at the Minnesota State Fair (the Great Minnesota Get-Together), or try the famed Juicy Lucy or an award-winning meal at Hmong restaurant in the Twin Cities. There's something for every type of traveler in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Spring: When Minnesota's notoriously bitter winter ends (around April) the locals love to hit the bike trails. Minneapolis is ranked as one of the top biking cities in the country, with over 200 miles of trails, including the 51-mile Grand Rounds Scenic Byway. Or you can jump on the 115-mile Paul Bunyan State Trail, in central Minnesota, which is one of the longest paved bike routes in the U.S., stretching from Brainerd to Bemidji. The cascading waters at Minnehaha Falls are at their fiercest (and loudest) in spring, especially after the winter thaw. You can then hike along the river amongst a forest of oak, elm, and cottonwood trees and through fields of spring wildflowers. Summer: Minnesota is the Land of 10,000 Lakes, and during the warm summer months you can rent a lakeside cabin and join the locals boating, kayaking, fishing, and water skiing. Or stay on the lake in Voyageurs National Park, in the far north of the state. There you can rent houseboats to cruise around the glacially carved Minnesota State Fair takes place in late August in St. Paul and is the biggest state fair in the U.S. by daily attendance. Over 200,000 people a day come to pet farm animals, jump on carnival rides, and eat an assortment of fried foods on a stick. Fall: Visit the North Shore in the fall to see trees exploding in brilliant shades of red and gold. The 300-mile Superior Hiking Trail skirts along the coastline of Lake Superior, with 90 free backcountry campsites. Or you can run along the shore of the lake in summer in the annual Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, which attracts elite runners from around the world. Time your trip to catch one of the state's four major professional sports teams (basketball, baseball, American football, or ice hockey). All the major sports stadiums are easily accessible from downtown Minneapolis, including the 73,000-seat U.S. Bank Stadium, the home of the Minnesota Vikings. Hockey fans can drive 20 minutes from Minneapolis to downtown St. Paul to catch the Minnesota Wild play at Xcel Energy Center. Winter: Winter in Minnesota is cold (the coldest recorded temperature is -60° F), but that doesn't stop the hardy locals from taking advantage of all the snow and ice. Hit the frozen lakes for ice skating, pond hockey, or ice fishing, or go snowmobiling or cross-country skiing on one of many designated winter trails. (Related: How Minnesota helped me find the magic of winter.) Music: Prince is king in Minneapolis and his legacy looms large around the city. Catch a gig at First Avenue(where Purple Rain's concert scenes were filmed), check out the 100-foot-hight Prince mural in Downtown, and take a tour of Prince's wildly eccentric home Paisley Park. In May, you can head north to Duluth to celebrate another former illustrious resident Bob Dylan at Duluth Dylan Fest. Art Scene: Minneapolis has a collection of world-class and progressive galleries, including the Weisman Art Museum and the Walker Art Center but art takes all forms in Minnesota. See one of the statues of the mythical giant lumberjack Paul Bunyan in Brainerd, Akeley, and Bemidji, or you can go in search of giant wooden trolls hidden away in the forests around Detroit Lakes in northwestern Minnesota. Visit the southern town of Austin for the world's most comprehensive collection of spiced pork artifacts at the Spam Museum. Shopping: Conveniently located near Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, the Mall of America in Bloomington is the biggest shopping mall in America. No sales tax on clothing is just one of the perks for shoppers visiting the 5.6 million square foot mall with 520 stores. The other perk for kids is the indoor amusement park, located in the middle of the mall. (Related: 10 not-to-be-missed things to do in Minnesota.) Award-winning Native American cuisine: Sean Sherman (also known as the Sioux Chef) is the founder of Owamni, a modern Indigenous restaurant in Minneapolis. It serves only pre-colonial Indigenous foods, which means no beef, pork, chicken, flour, dairy, or cane sugar. Scandinavian fare: Nearly 50 percent of Minnesota's foreign-born population was born in Sweden, Norway, or Denmark. So, for a taste of Scandinavia, head to FIKA Cafe in Minneapolis, which is housed inside the sprawling, castle-like American Swedish Institute. You can order Nordic staples like meatballs and gravlax but also try their seasonal menu dedicated to regional ingredients. Hmong food: Minnesota has one the largest diaspora of Hmong people in the world. Hmong food combines flavors from Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and China. Go to Vinai (in Minneapolis) for their Hilltribe Crispy Chicken, and Sweet Tamiri-glazed Pork Belly The Jucy Lucy: Probably Minnesota's most famous homegrown dish is the Jucy Lucy. What's a Jucy Lucy? It's a burger with the cheese inside the beef patty. The debate continues about who created the first Juicy Lucy, but you can try the famed burger at Matt's Bar and Grill or the 5-8 Club. Dessert: Drive to Northern Minnesota to visit Betty's Pies in Two Harbors. Open since 1956, the restaurant-bakery is touted as serving the 'world famous pies,' including its popular strawberry rhubarb pie. (Related: The pioneer: how chef Sean Sherman is shining a light on Native American cuisine.) By plane: Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) serves 136 domestic nonstop flights and 27 international nonstop flights. Airports Council International (ACI) has named MSP as the Best Airport in North America seven times in the past eight years. By bus and light rail: In the Twin Cities area, public transportation options include the light rail (LRT) and the Metro Transit Bus Service. The city's light rail has a direct line that connects Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to downtown. Download the Metro Transit App for maps and schedules. By car: Minnesota has two seasons: winter and road repair. The state has an extensive major highway network that connects cities and towns. There are also plenty of scenic drives, including the North Shore Scenic Byway which hugs the shores of Lake Superior for 154 miles from Duluth to the Canadian border. By train: Amtrak's Empire Builder has a daily route from Chicago, Ill. to Portland, Oreg. and Seattle, Wash., making stops at Union Depot on Kellogg Boulevard East in St. Paul as well as other cities in Minnesota, including Winona, Red Wing, St. Cloud, Staples, and Detroit Lakes. (Related: Best hotels in Minnesota for every type of traveler.) Cultural history: Minnesota's name derives from the Dakota phrase "Mni Sota Makoce" meaning "land where the waters reflect the clouds'. The state is home to 11 sovereign Indigenous nations. The state's best-known Native American heritage site is Pipestone National Monument. For over 3,000 years, Indigenous tribes from across the country have come to Pipestone to quarry the red stone to make ceremonial pipes. LGBTQ+-: Minnesota is considered one of the most LGBTQ+- friendly states in the U.S. with strong legal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, while Twin Cities Pride is one of the largest Pride festivals in the country. Minnesota ranks 5th in the nation in sustainability and is the 7th most environmentally friendly state (according to WalletHub). The state is a natural choice for eco-conscious travelers boasting six national parks and 64 state parks. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is about as green as it gets with 1,200 miles of completely untouched lakes, rivers, and streams—all only accessible by canoe. There are 2,000 camping spots and motorized boats are not permitted. Brian Thacker is a travel writer, author and podcaster who was born in England, raised in Australia and now lives in Minnesota.
