Internationally acclaimed, the Minnesota State Fair has served more than two-thirds of today's Minnesotans with cultural and educational experiences with this purpose:
To showcase Minnesota's finest in agriculture, art and industry through an unparalleled forum for educational exchange and social interaction. In 2012, the State Fair had near record attendance with close to 1.8 million guests, and year-round the fairgrounds are used by other organizations and an additional 1 million visitors. The organization is self-supporting and has not received government appropriations since 1949. Despite success, the State Fair needs new resources for historic building preservation and program improvements in art, agriculture, environment, education and history and heritage. This is why in 2002 community leaders formed the Minnesota State Fair Foundation 501(c)(3) as the nonprofit fundraising entity for the State Fair. Our contributors have provided funds to improve State Fair buildings, grounds and educational experiences, including: AgStar Arena, Moo Booth, Grandstand Marquee, CHS Miracle of Birth Center, Lee and Rose Warner Coliseum, trees, gardens and seating, recognition bricks and benches and more.
