.. .. I 04 - 0356 ANNUAL REPORT ,~<.,,"I MINNESOTA STATE FAIR .... .. • • • THE REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDE:ffl • • • It's not. a stretch to say that the unmeasured economic impact treasure. Regaining.the sales tax Great Minnesota Get-Together is throughout the state. This translates exemption is a start. In addition,we clearly our state's leading cultural, into thousands of jobs and tens of will continue to closely- monitor social and educational asset. In millions of dollars in household and act on all other outside issues fact, it's one of the premier events earnings for Minnesotans. that threaten our ability to present in the entire world - the envy of the greatest fair in the world. other state fairs and a model for The State Fair survives and thrives fairs and expositions around the because it is resilient, but it's not The people of Minnesota deserve globe. It's also no stretch to say that indestructible. The vagaries of the best, and they will get it. God· the State Fairgrounds are among weather and economy are always a bless you all, and I'll see you at the the best-utilized properties in the factor, and our historic facilities are fair! state, hosting a combined total of aging and need attention. We've nearly 3 million people during the tackled the Godzilla of all renova­ annual fair and during a very busy tion projects - the Grandstand ­ schedule ofyear-around events. but much more work needs to be done elsewhere on the fairgrounds. With ancient roots that stretch back Our task was further complicated Jerry Hammer to territorial days before the Civil in '03 when, as a state budget-bal­ Executive Vice President War, our State Fair is older than the ancing tool, our sales tax exemp­ state itself, and has brilliantly tion was eliminated. (Since 1988, served the people ofMinnesota for the fair was allowed to retain the I I E!$!EI I• generations. Author Karal Ann sales tax it generated through tick­ Marling says it best in the forward et sales, provided that the total was OUR MISSION... to "Blue Ribbon" - her history of dedicated exclusively for capital To educate and involve our guests the fair: "The Minnesota State Fair work.) That resulted in a loss of by providing a world-class show­ is our central cultural institution ­ $1.2 million last year for much­ case that is innovative, entertaining the place where all the varied needed improvements to the andfun. strands of immigration, agricul­ grounds. In addition, the State ture, commerce, politics, aesthetic Fairgrounds continues to surface in We strive to preference, and moral standards talks at various levels as a potential • Showcase Minnesota sfinest agri­ meet and mingle; the place where site for pro sports stadiums and culture, art and industry other "development" that is clearly our collective past is preserved in • Present an unparalleledforum for the language of the premium lists at odds with our mission, with the knowledge and ideas and our collective future manifest wellbeing of our neighbors and the project ofthe littlest 4-Her." ultimately with the best interests of • Provide outstanding all Minnesotans. customer service Not only does our great State Fair • Offer exceptional value provide unparalleled cultural bene­ These challenges will be met head­ • Provide a safe, clean environment on. Your board and staff will do fits and .build a strong sense of that is accessible to all community, but it also packs a everything humanly possible to huge economic wallqp - more than present the best fair ever, and to • Create unique experiences $150 million annually in the Twin protect and preserve our great State Cities alone, plus additional Fair, which is truly a Minnesota •I :E!'!l:::r I, • • • MINNESOTA STATE FAIR AnENDANCE AND WEAJHEII 2003 PAID ATTENDANCE: 1,74:1,825 • • • Cities teelin' hot, THURSDAY, AUG. 21 WEDNESDAY, AUG. 27 hot, hot Thrifty Thursday • 107,884 Linus Blankets High 82 - Low 66 the Fair Day· 109,897 Pioneer Press Online Precipitation 0.00 inches High 83 - Low 61 AUGUST 25, 2003 - Sunday was Precipitation 0.00 inches summer's hottest day so far, with FRIDAY, AUG. 22 the temperature reaching 97 Governor's Fire THURSDAY, AUG. 28 degrees at Minneapolis-St. Paul Prevention Day • 121,743 Seniors & Kids Day • 120,743 airport at 2:57 p.m., one degree shy High 84 - Low 60 High 89 - Low 67 ofthe record for that date, accord­ Precipitation 0.00 inches Precipitation 0.00 inches ing to the National Weather Service. One place people were SATURDAY, AUG. 23 FRIDAY, AUG. 29 feeling the heat was the State Fair, 4-H Day· 177,325 Minnesota Public where police received about 50 Radio Day • 179,052 High 87 - Low 66 (Daily Record for 2nd Friday) heat-related calls, said Chief Precipitation 0.00 inches Arthur Blakey, Jr., but none was High 72 - Low 59 life-threatening. SUNDAY, AUG. 24 Precipitation 0.00 inches • • • Red Hot Cars and SATURDAY, AUG. 30 Red Hat Day· 159,165 Foundation Day • 214,276 Fine weather yields High 97 - Low 72 High 76 - Low 53 Precipitation 0.00 inches another record Precipitation 0.00 inches Friday MONDAY, AUG. 25 SUNDAY, AUG. 31 Seniors & Kids Day • 108,188 St. Paul Pioneer Press FFA Day • 211,573 High 83 - Low 61 High 75 - Low 54 AUGUST 31, 2003 - What do you Precipitation 0.02 inches get when you combine the relief of Precipitation 0.00 inches cool temperatures after a spate of TUESDAY, AUG. 26 MONDAY, SEPT. 1 hot sticky weather with the best Taste ofTuesday • 100,114 Last Chance Day • 131,865 junk food for miles around? A High 92 - Low 71 High 80 - Low 55 record attendance at the Minnesota Precipitation 0.00 inches State Fair. Precipitation 0.00 On Friday, 179,052 people walked Competition 3 Statement of Net Assets 23 through the fairgounds gates. That Amusements & Activities 4 was 6,685 more than last year. Statement of Revenue, Expenses Entertainment 8 and Changes in Net Assets .... 24 Maybe it was the cool weather, with Awards & Recognition 10 temperatures in the low to mid-70s Concession & Exhibit List 12 ~~ ~~~ .~l~~~: ::::::: after a week of 80s and 90s. Or ::::::;:t p;..-. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Supporting Schedules, maybe there.'s something about the Auditor's Report 17 Revenues and Expenses 28 Friday before Labor Day that Management Discussion Audit Opinion Letter 31 draws people to the State Fair. and Analysis. .............. 19 Meeting Minutes.....•.....•.. 38 . • • • TWELVE DAYS OF COMPETITION AT THE 2003 FAIR • • • Judges sample With an increase of more than 30% homebrewat over last year, the 4-H Purple Ribbon Livestock Auction had State Fair another record-breaking year. By Jim Buchta $175,775 was raised with 83 ani­ Star Tribune mals on the auction block-many AUGUST 24, 2003 - Just across going for record amounts. the street from the Spaghetti Village, the main stage outside Judicial Eyes on the the Creative Activities Annex on Arts Guys: Saturday afternoon was starting State Fair Fine Artsjudges sift to look like a frat party. Three through a sea of entries in guys sat back in their folding search ofpearls chairs overlooking a banquet table crammed with empty beer By Connie Nelson Star Tribune bottles, used paper plates and rows and Grand Champion Market Beef AUGUST 22, 2003 - One activi­ rows of plas­ Amanda Eberspacher ty permeates the Minnesota State tic cups with Fair like no other, and that's just a couple judging. In the next 10 days, of sips of Another first in 2003 was the judges will eyeball pigs, singers, warm beer addition of the Red Angus breed pumpkins, sweaters, 4-H projects, left in them. to the Open Beef Show. Clarence flowers, bonsai plants, pies, straw­ Caraway of Lake berry preserves Welcome to Benton, won Grand and dairy the first Champion for his princesses, to annual Red Angus bull and name but a few. Minnesota Cassie Johnson of They defin.e the State Fair Homebrew Contest's Cushing, Iowa won fair, and nowhere Best in Show contest, sponsored Grand Champion more clearly than by the Minnesota Home Brewers for her female. at its annual Fine Association. Dozens of home­ Arts Exhibition. based brewers entered nearly 90 An Open Barrow •I E!e::::e I," beers (made with grains), meads Class was intro­ People's choice (made with honey) and ciders duced to the Open "The Hazards ofNapping " (made with apples). Swine Show this award for the 2003 year and Wayne Huinker of Fine Arts competi­ •I E!$!EI I" Decorah, Iowa walked away with tion went to Jerry Amerongen of Best of show honors for this first Champion honors for his animal. Minneapolis for his whimsical oil time State Fair competition went to The new class allowed exhibitors painting, "The Hazards of Steve Piatz of Eagan with his all­ from other states to participate in the Napping." grain unnamed Tripel entered in the State Fair Market Swine Show. Strong Belgian ales category. 3 • • • TWELVE DAYS OF AMUSEMENTS &ACTIVITIES • • • Butter dish Representing Fillmore County, Mariah Ciangiola finished first in By David Hawley the MSF County Fair Talent Contest. Pioneer Press The teen division was won by AUGUST 17,2003 - Princess Signature Four of Martin County Kay of the Milky Way, a true and pre-teen division first place Minnesota icon, is posed to cele­ winner Amy Zhang of Washington brate her butter-colored jubilee. County, went on to win the State Fair Her dynasty will be 50 years old pre-teen competition in the on Wednesday, when the current Grandstand. Princess Kay-Sarah Olson of Hutchinson in McLeod County­ Kirk Goetz Chelle Belland Come early, crowns a successor during the traditional "Preparation Day" For the second year in a row, overall stay late ceremony in the Cosgrove Street champion of the Minnesota State St.