State Fair Day 6: Military Appreciation, Celebrity Animal Callers and Steely Dan

Nearly two million people are expected to descend on the Minnesota State Fair’s 320-acre grounds over the next 12 days for concerts, contests, cows and corn dogs. Here’s Roseville Patch’s rundown of what you need to know for Tuesday, Aug. 30.

To know: It’s the first ever Military Appreciation Day at the fair, and active and retired members of the military and their immediate families can get in for $7. The rides at Mighty Midway and Kidway have a one ticket discount until 1 p.m. The weather is expected to be a high of 80 degrees with a 40 percent chance of rain. Check out the fair’s website for a full schedule of the day’s activities and events.

To march: The Army’s 34th Infantry Division Band plays at 10:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. at the Leinenkugel Free Stage. Military equipment will also be on display, and there will be various informational military booths. KTLK will host a military radio show at 10 a.m. in Carousel Park.

To watch: The amateur talent contest semifinal performances are held at 6 p.m. at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell. Throughout the fair, 120 semifinalists compete before the Sept. 4 finals.

To whisper to animals: Celebrities vie for the title of “Champion Animal Caller” at 12:20 p.m. at the Land O’Lakes Stage. The competition is part of the Agri-lympics Contest.

To hear: Rock artist Steely Dan plays the grandstand at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available for $45 and $55. Sam Yahel joins them on stage.

Overheard at the fair: “Where can I buy deep-fried butter?” - Woman to her husband

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The basics about the Great Minnesota Get Together:

Hours: Admission gates open daily at 6 a.m. Ticket sales end at 10 p.m. (9 p.m. on Labor Day). Grounds close at midnight (10 p.m. on Labor Day). Most buildings are open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Cost: Adults (13-64) pay $12, seniors and children 5 and over pay $10, and children under 5 are admitted for free. Promotional days are offered throughout the fair, Pre-fair discount admission is available for purchase through Aug. 24.

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Transportation: The Minnesota State Fairgrounds are located at 1265 North Snelling Ave. N. in St. Paul. Maps and directions are available on the fair’s website. Note that light-rail construction on University Avenue will slow traffic flow; the fair’s website has tips on how to avoid the congestion. 

Car
Fairgrounds parking
State fair parking lots cost $12 and can be accessed off Larpenteur, Snelling, or Cleveland avenues. Discount tickets can be purchased in advance through Aug. 24 at Cub Foods or the State Fair Box Office. (Motorcycle parking is offered for $6 on Como Avenue.)

Free park and ride
Free parking is available at 34 locations around the fairgrounds. Complimentary buses leave every 20 minutes from 8 a.m. to midnight to pick up fair-goers. In 2010, the park and ride program gave 920,000 rides.

Bike
Free bike racks are offered at the Como-Snelling and Hoyt-Snelling gates and at Commonwealth-West Dan Patch from 6 a.m. to midnight daily.

Bus
Regular bus routes
Three buses service the fair and accept cash or transit passes. Route 960 goes from Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis to the fairgrounds in about 15 minutes. Route 84 travels along Snelling Avenue. Route 3 connects downtown Minneapolis to downtown St. Paul along Como Avenue.

Express bus service
State Fair Express buses operate from 17 Twin Cities locations on 15- and 30-minute loops. Check the fair’s express bus website for more information.

Navigating the fair
The state fair’s website has downloadable maps of the grounds and daily activity schedules. You can also keep checking Patch for a daily rundown of the top five things to see and do at the fair.

Smart phones
The state fair is also smart phone accessible, with a mobile website and stand-alone apps for iPhones and Android phones that include a manipulable map and the ability to search listings of events, merchandise and food.