This document is made available electronically by the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library as part of an ongoing digital archiving project. http://www.leg.state.mn.us/lrl/lrl.asp 2019 Annual Report Our Mi ion To educate and involve our guests by providing a world-class showcase that is innovative, entertaining and fun. We strive to: • Showcase Minnesota’s • Oer exceptional value nest agriculture, • Provide a safe, clean art and industry environment that is • Present an unparalleled accessible to all forum for knowledge • Create unique and ideas experiences • Provide outstanding customer service Table of Conten GENERAL INFORMATION Report of the Executive Vice President.................................... Board of Managers .............................................................................. Admission ................................................................................................ Attendance ............................................................................................. The Expanded North End Neighborhood ................................. Agriculture, Animals and Competition ...................................... ­ Contests and Activities .....................................................................­ New Entertainment, Exhibits and Elements ....................................................................... Awards and Accolades ...................................................................... State Fair Scholarships, Year Awards ............................... Fun Facts .............................................................................................. Grandstand Attendance ................................................................ Free Stages ......................................................................................... Sponsors ............................................................................................... FINANCIAL INFORMATION Financial Highlights .......................................................................... Independent Auditor’s Report .................................................... Management Discussion and Analysis .................................... Statement of Net Position ........................................................... Statement of Revenue, Expenses and Changes in Net Position .................................. Statement of Cash Flows ............................................................. Footnotes ............................................................................................. Supporting Schedule — Revenues and Expenses ............. Auditor’s Report on Internal Control and Compliance .............................................. Meeting Minutes ............................................................................... On the cover: Minnesota State Fair Commemorative Art by Minnesota artist R. J. Kern Re t of the Executive Vice Psident “We are all connected. To each other, biologically. To the earth, chemically. To the rest of the universe, atomically.” Neill DeGrasse Tyson “I do believe we’re all connected. I do believe in positive energy. I do believe in putting good out into the world. And I do believe in taking care of each other.” Harvey Fierstein Together, these quotes perfectly capture the essence of the Minnesota State Fair. Yes, as human beings we are all connected in profound ways. We are hard-wired with the fundamental need to connect and share positive and uplifting experiences, and that’s the very denition of the fair. In its -year history, our State Fair has brought together more than million people, connecting us to each other, connecting us to the earth where our food and ber are produced, and inspiring us to better our world while celebrating the vast riches of the human spirit. That’s a heavy statement, but it’s true. Families beam with smiles and light as they walk through the gate, like they do nowhere else. Millions of people have amazing State Fair stories, and many of them link multiple generations. Countless people say that the State Fair is their Happy Place. The common thread that weaves through every inch of Minnesota’s social fabric is a strong sense of ownership in our State Fair. We’re connected all right. The State Fair has been on an unprecedented roll the past decade, culminating with yet another record attendance year in (details are on the following pages). Last year’s numbers are astounding with an unheard-of six record days and total attendance of more than . million. To better understand the scale and scope of the State Fair’s operation, our daily attendance average exceeds the daily average of all four Walt Disney World parks combined. Yes, we’re connecting our families, friends and neighbors like nowhere else. Sometimes we’re connected too well. The global pandemic has raised hell with everything everywhere, leading to the cancellation on May of the State Fair. Everyone in the fair’s vast network of agriculturists, vendors, artists, entertainers, competitors, amusement operators, sponsors and the thousands of others who always give their very best has been aected by the pandemic, making it impossible to present the great event that our fair must be. Even if these pillars of the fair were able to produce a recognizable event, it wouldn’t have mattered. Protecting the health of million fair fans is our most important obligation, so cancelling the fair wasn’t a di¢cult decision. It was the only decision. This is the biggest challenge we’ve ever faced. Our State Fair ancestors overcame challenges in the past, though, and we will do so again. We owe it to you now, and we owe it to posterity to give you the very best experience possible in a safe environment. By taking the tough road today, we guarantee that the fair’s future remains hopeful and bright. In the meantime, your team of State Fair pros is working hard to come back bigger, better, stronger and smarter. We can’t wait to reconnect with you at the Great Minnesota Get-Back-Together when we’ll celebrate in true State Fair style. Until then, stay safe, and God bless. Jerry Hammer Executive V.P. Minnesota State Fair July , 2 State Fair Board of Managr The State Fair is governed by the Minnesota State Agricultural Society, which is charged exclusively with governance of the State Fair. Society delegates represent all ­ county fairs in Minnesota, along with statewide agriculture, industry and education institutions. At its annual meeting each January, this group of delegates elects a -member board of managers to set policy and provide oversight for the fair. Nine members represent the Agricultural Society’s nine regional districts and the th member (the president) serves at large. Pictured left to right: Joe Scapanski, Wally Wichmann, Dan Grunhovd, Ron Oleheiser, Je Hawkins, Joseph Fox, Paul Merkins, D.J. Leary, Gail Johnson, Gordy Toenges. Joe Scapanski Je Hawkins Gail Johnson Sauk Rapids, MN Inver Grove Heights, MN Anoka, MN th District Manager nd District Manager rd District Manager Wally Wichmann Joseph Fox Gordy Toenges Balaton, MN Maplewood, MN Alden, MN ­th District Manager th District Vice President st District Manager Dan Grunhovd Paul Merkins Gary, MN Stewart, MN th District Manager President Ron Oleheiser D.J. Leary Grand Rapids, MN Minneapolis, MN th District Manager th District Vice President 3 2019 Admi ion PRE-FAIR ADMISSION PRICE • All ages ¥ REGULAR ADMISSION PRICE • Adults (-) ¥ • Seniors (¦) ¥ • Kids (- ) ¥ • Children ( and under) FREE THRIFTY THURSDAY AUG. 22 • Adults (-) ¥ • Seniors (¦) ¥ • Kids (- ) ¥ • Children ( and under) FREE SENIORS DAYS AUG. 26 & 29 • Seniors (¦) ¥ KIDS DAYS AUG. 26 & SEPT. 2 • Kids (- ) ¥ • Children ( and under) FREE MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY AUG. 27 Active military, retired military and veterans receive an admission discount when they purchase a ticket at the gate and present valid documentation of military service: ¥ READ & RIDE DAY AUG. 28 Public library cardholders who purchased a ticket at the gate: • Adults (-) ¥ • Seniors (¦) ¥ • Kids (- ) ¥ • Children ( and under) FREE BLUE RIBBON BARGAIN BOOK • ¥ MIGHTY MIDWAY & KIDWAY • Pre-fair -ticket sheet: ¥ • Fair-time: -ticket sheet: ¥ -ticket sheet: ¥ Single ticket: ¥ VEHICLE PARKING • ¥ 4 Total A endance: 2,126,551* THURSDAY, AUG. 22 MONDAY, AUG. 26 FRIDAY, AUG. 30 Thrifty Thursday: 133,326* Seniors, Kids & MN State MPR Day: 209,789* Patrol Day: 96,716 High: ­ Low: High: ­ Low: Precipitation: none High: ­ Low: Precipitation: none Precipitation: . in. FRIDAY, AUG. 23 SATURDAY, AUG. 31 Governor’s Fire TUESDAY, AUG. 27 FFA Day: 266,412 Military Appreciation Prevention Day: 157,224* Day: 136,987* High: ­ Low: High: ­­ Low: High: ­ Low: Precipitation: none Precipitation: none Precipitation: trace SUNDAY, SEPT. 1 SATURDAY, AUG. 24 WEDNESDAY, AUG. 28 Friends of the Fair 4-H Day: 209,105 Read & Ride Day: 142,211 Day: 245,243* High: ­ Low: High: ­ Low: ­ High: ­ Low: Precipitation: none Precipitation: none Precipitation: . in. SUNDAY, AUG. 25 Minnesota Cooks™ THURSDAY, AUG. 29 MONDAY, SEPT. 2 Day: 191,524 Seniors Day: 153,274 Kids & Last Chance High: ­ Low: High: ­ Low: ­ Day: 184,740* Precipitation: . in. Precipitation: . in. High: ­ Low: Precipitation: . in. *New attendance record 5 The Ex anded N th End Neighb hood THE EXPANDED REDEVELOPMENT ANGRY BIRDS UNIVERSE: THE EXHIBITION IN THE OF THE NORTH END FEATURED: NORTH END EVENT CENTER • The North End Event Center, the area’s stunning brand-new ANGRY BIRDS UNIVERSE: THE EXHIBITION, made its Midwest