THRIFTY THURSDAY: Reduced admission–Adults (13–64) $11; Kids (5–12) $8. Special ride & game promotions are offered at Mighty Midway and Kidway all day. Many merchandise and food vendors offer special Thrifty Thursday bargains for all fair guests.
MUSIC
Use these guides to explore the fair
GRANDSTAND: Def Leppard: With Styx and Tesla. 7 p.m.
4H BUILDING: Plymouth Rockers Senior Chorus: 11 a.m., noon & 3:30 p.m.; i like you: 6 p.m.
DNR PARK: Darlene & the Boys: 10 a.m., noon, 2 & 4 p.m.; Ecuador Manta: 7 p.m.
EDUCATION BUILDING: Young Fiddlers Association of Minnesota: 10, 11 a.m. & noon;
FAMILY FAIR/BALDWIN PARK: Justin Roberts with Liam Davis: 10:30, 11:30 a.m. & 3 p.m.
INTERNATIONAL BAZAAR: Atahualpa: 10:45 a.m., noon & 1:15 p.m.; The Pan-Handlers Steel Drum Band: 3:15, 4:30 & 5:45 p.m.; Davina & the Vagabonds: 7:30 & 8:45 p.m.
LEINIE LODGE BAND SHELL: The Willis Clan: 10:30 & 11:45 a.m.; Tonic Sol-fa: 1 & 2:30 p.m.; Caitlyn Smith: 3:30 & 4:45 p.m.; Gaelic Storm: 8:30 p.m.
MINNESOTA WINE COUNTRY: Mike Salovich & Worldbeat: 6:30 p.m.
RAMBERG SENIOR CENTER: The Mellow Fellows: 10:30, 11:45 a.m. & 1 p.m.; The Parisota Hot Club: 3:15, 4:30 & 5:45 p.m.
WEST END MARKET: Reina del Cid: 11 a.m., noon & 1 p.m.; The Good Intentions: 2:30, 3:30 & 4:30 p.m.; Tina & Lena: 6 p.m.; Charlie Parr: 8 p.m.
FAMILY FARE
4-H BUILDING: Meet PBS Kids Characters: 9 a.m.; 4-H State Arts-In Musical Performance: 11:30 a.m., 5 & 7:30 p.m.; 4-H Chef for a Day Cook-Off: 2 & 6 p.m.
AGRICULTURE/HORTICULTURE BUILDING: The Seed Queen: The Handmade Legacy of Lillian Colton: A puppet show. 10, 11 a.m. & noon. Living in a Food Desert: 4 p.m.
CAROUSEL PARK: STEM Day: Minnesota STEM network organizations present activities. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Physics Force: 9 a.m., noon & 2 p.m. Bakken Museum Presentations: 10 a.m., 1 & 4 p.m.; Fun With Chemistry: 11 a.m. & 3 p.m.
CATTLE BARN AND ANNEX: Moo Live: 11 a.m., 12:45 & 3 p.m.; Moo Booth: Video Presentations: Noon, 1:30 & 2 p.m.; Moo Quiz Show: 5:30 p.m.
DAIRY BUILDING: Butter Sculptures: Princess Kay and her court will each have their likeness carved into 90-lb. blocks of butter by a sculptor. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
DNR PARK: DNR Fire Tower: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fish Pond Talks: 9:45a, 10:45a, 11:45 a.m., 12:45, 1:45, 2:45 & 3:45 p.m.; Smokey Bear: 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.; Emerald Ash Borer Costumed Character: Noon & 2 p.m.; Bee Dance Party: 1 p.m.; Batty About Bats: 3 p.m.
EDUCATION BUILDING: A showcase of educational exhibitors. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Robot Demonstration: 10 a.m., noon & 3 p.m.; Green T Productions: 10:30, 11:30 a.m., 12:30 & 1:30 p.m.; ABC Square Dancing: 1 p.m.; Black Storytellers Alliance: 3, 4, 5 & 6 p.m.
FAMILY FAIR/BALDWIN PARK: Great Big Sandbox: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Alphabet Forest: Meet authors and alphabet activities. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Math On-a-Stick: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sean Emery: 12:30 & 5 p.m.; Break-Shop Bump'N: 1:30, 4 & 6 p.m.; Minnesota State Fair County Fair Talent Contest: 7 p.m.
FINE ARTS CENTER: Fine Arts Exhibition: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Studio: Here: Each day of the fair, a practicing Minnesota artist will create artwork and interact with fair guests. 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Be a Fine Arts Detective: Use clues to find specific pieces throughout the fine arts exhibition and earn a ribbon for finding all the pieces. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR: West of the Grandstand, following the Grandstand show.
GIANT SING ALONG: On the south side of Murphy Av. between Underwood and Cooper Sts. 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
HEALTH FAIR 11: Information on food allergies, flu shots, blood pressure checks, glucose readings and more. On the southwest corner of Dan Patch and Cooper St. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
HORSE BARN: EquiMania: Exhibits including skeletons, anatomy models and other artifacts used in caring for horses. 9 a.m.- 7 p.m.
INTERNATIONAL BAZAAR: Afro-Peruvian Festejo Dancers: Noon, 1:30, 3 & 4:30 p.m.
LASERTAINMENT'S LASER HITZ SHOW: Outdoors at the intersection of Cosgrove St. and Randall Av. 9:15 p.m.
LEINIE LODGE BAND SHELL: Opening Ceremony: Executive Vice President Jerry Hammer and President Al Paulson declare the State Fair officially open at the Opening Ceremony with the national anthem and a flag raising by State Fair Police. 10:15 a.m.; Minnesota State Fair Amateur Talent Contest: 6 p.m.
LITTLE FARM HANDS: A hands-on agricultural education exhibit for children. 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Seed Survivor: An interactive exhibit that explains what plants need to grow. 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
MINNESOTA NEWSPAPER MUSEUM: On the east side of Cosgrove St. on the street level of the 4-H Building. 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
MINNESOTA TERRITORIAL PIONEERS CABIN: The log cabin displays artifacts from territorial times. On the west side of Underwood St. between Carnes and Judson Avs. 9 a.m.
MIRACLE OF BIRTH CENTER: Nursery of Knowledge: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thank a Farmer Magic Show: Noon, 4 & 6 p.m. FFA Awards Program: 2:30 p.m.
NORTHWOODS: All-Star Stunt Dogs Splash: 11 a.m., 2 & 4:30 p.m.; Timberworks Lumberjack Show: Noon, 3, 5:30 & 7 p.m.
STATE FAIR MALL PARADE: The parade route begins near the Haunted House, heads north on Cosgrove Street, west on Randall Avenue and south on Underwood Street. 2 p.m.
SWINE BARN: Oink Booth: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Pig Tales: 11 a.m.
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DRIVEN TO DISCOVER: Stop by the U's research building to participate in studies by a variety of departments, talk with researchers and learn about their work. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
VISITORS PLAZA: State Fair Mascot Appearances: 11 a.m. & 4 p.m.
WARNER COLISEUM: Minnesota State Fair Horse Show: 9 a.m., 1 & 6 p.m.
WEST END MARKET: Minnesota Historical Society's History on-a-Schtick: 9:30 a.m. Stages Theatre Company: 10:30, 11:30 a.m., 12:30 & 1:30 p.m.; Duniya Drum & Dance: 3, 4, 5 & 6 p.m.
DEMONSTRATIONS AND PROGRAMS
CATTLE BARN AND ANNEX: 4-H Livestock Demonstrations: 8 a.m., 4 & 6 p.m. Milking Demonstrations: At the Moo Booth. 10 a.m., noon, 2, 4 & 6 p.m.; Hand Milking: At the Moo Booth. 11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.
CREATIVE ACTIVITIES AND ANNEX: Weavers' Guild of Minnesota: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
MIRACLE OF BIRTH CENTER: An Introduction to Veterinary Medicine: 10 a.m. & 4 p.m.
PET CENTER: Pet Surgery: 10 a.m., noon, 2 & 4 p.m.; Tricks & Temperament by Smith the German Shepherd: 5:45 p.m.; St. Paul Police K-9 Demonstrations: 7 p.m.
PROGRESS CENTER/ECO EXPERIENCE: ReUSE DIY Project Demos: 10 a.m., 1, 3:30 & 6:30 p.m. Agriculture: From First Peoples to New Immigrants Cooking Demonstration: 11 a.m., 1 & 3 p.m.
WISER LIVING: An interactive exhibit designed to help visitors learn about products and services to maximize independence. On the east side of Cosgrove Street, on the street level of the 4-H Building, outside 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
THE X-ZONE: Skateboard and BMX Bike Demonstrations: Noon, 1:30, 3, 4:30 & 6 p.m.
JUDGING
AGSTAR ARENA: 4-H Beef Cow/Calf, Prospect Market Calf Show: 1 p.m.
CATTLE BARN AND ANNEX: Make It Better With Butter: 10 a.m.
CREATIVE ACTIVITIES AND ANNEX: Gold Medal Flour "Best Pie" Contest Judging: 2 p.m.
SHEEP AND POULTRY BARN: 4-H Rabbit Judging Contest: 8 a.m. 4-H Poultry Judging: 1:30-5 p.m.; 4-H Poultry Showmanship: 6:30-9:30 p.m.
WARNER COLISEUM: FFA Safe Tractor Operator's Contest: 9 a.m.
ANIMALS
CATTLE BARN AND ANNEX: Moo Booth and Milking Parlor: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
HORSE BARN: Aisle of Breeds: A showcase of different breeds and types of horses. 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
MIRACLE OF BIRTH CENTER: CHS Miracle of Birth Center: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
PET CENTER: Siberian Husky Club of the Twin Cities: 9, 10, 11 a.m., noon, 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 p.m.
SHEEP AND POULTRY BARN: Baa Booth: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
HOME AND HOBBIES
AGRICULTURE/HORTICULTURE BUILDING: African Violet Society Show: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Minnesota State Horticultural Society Potted Plant Show: 9 a.m.; Violets 101: 10 a.m.; Frame a Farmer: 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; Looking Inside the Hive: 10:30 a.m., 12:30, 2:30, 4:30 & 6:30 p.m. Learn to Grow a Straw Bale Garden: 11 a.m.; Cooking With Honey: 11, 11:30 a.m. & noon; Feeding Bees: Plants They Like: Noon; Mason Meets a Mason Bee: 1 p.m.; Harvesting Honey: 1, 2, 4 & 5 p.m.; Post Emerald Ash Borer Tree Selection and Planting: 2 p.m.; Moving Toward a Healthy Landscape: 3 p.m.; Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild Talks: 3 & 6 p.m.; Monarchs, Milkweed and More: 4 p.m.; Small Space Gardening: 5 p.m.
AGSTAR ARENA: FFA Dairy, General Livestock Judging Contest: 8:45 a.m; 4-H Breeding Heifer Show: 3:30 p.m.
CREATIVE ACTIVITIES AND ANNEX: Minnesota Knitters Guild: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Needlework Guild and Embroiderers Guild of Minnesota: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
DNR PARK: Double the Birds at Your Feeders: 11 a.m. & 3 p.m.
PROGRESS CENTER/ECO EXPERIENCE: What Does "Food Freedom" Mean for Minnesota?: 10 a.m.; Eco-Friendly Alternative to the RV Camper: 10 a.m., 2 & 6 p.m.; Creating an Allergy and Toxin-Free Home: Noon; Financial Stability: 4 p.m.; Lethal Root Defects of Trees: 5 p.m.
