THE GREAT MINNESOTA GET-TOGETHER TWELVE DAYS OF FUN ENDING LABOR DAY Dear Members of the Media, In Minnesota, everyone’s invited to the biggest and best end-of-summer celebration. The State Fair is everything that is Minnesota. It’s a treasured tradition. It’s an experience unlike any other. It’s the Great Minnesota Get-Together. The stories here are rich, real and endless. On every street, stage and midway ride, there’s someone waiting to share a memory. In every historic building, barn stall, concession stand and competitive entry there’s a story waiting to be written. The 2008 Media Kit is designed as a State Fair encyclopedia—a reference for everything from new foods and attractions, to show schedules and special events, to fair facts and historical information. There are hundreds of story ideas within these pages and there are thousands more out on the fairgrounds. It is my pleasure to assist you in covering news at the 2008 Minnesota State Fair. I hope you enjoy your coverage as much as I enjoy being part of the Great Minnesota Get-Together’s magic. Enjoy the Twelve Days of Fun Ending Labor Day, Brienna Schuette Marketing and Communications Manager Phone: (651) 288-4452 Fax: (651) 642-2456 E-mail: [email protected] On the cover: See page 117 in the “What’s New?!” section for more information on the 2008 commemorative art by Minnesota artist Edie Abnet. 1265 Snelling Avenue North St. Paul, MN 55108-3099 (651) 288-4400 FAX (651) 642-2440 TTY (651) 642-2372 [email protected] www.mnstatefair.org 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Sections are organized alphabetically after the Media Services portion. Media Services 5 Interview Arrangements ............................................................................5 Media Photo Gallery ..................................................................................5 On-Line Press Room ...................................................................................5 Photography Access - Grandstand.............................................................5 Media Relations Contacts ..........................................................................6 Emergency ..................................................................................................6 Attendance 7 Attendance History ....................................................................................7 Attendance Records....................................................................................9 Attendance Worksheet .............................................................................10 Competition & Ag 11 Agricultural Education.............................................................................11 Horse Shows and Warner Coliseum Events.............................................18 Livestock Competitions ............................................................................19 Non-Livestock Competitions & Exhibits..................................................21 Corporate Profile 27 Awards and Accolades .............................................................................27 Corporate Information.............................................................................27 Minnesota State Fair Foundation ............................................................27 Recycling and Composting Information .................................................28 Entertainment 31 Fireworks Spectacular...............................................................................31 Free Entertainment...................................................................................31 Grandstand...............................................................................................37 Daily Mall Parade ....................................................................................60 Talent Contests .........................................................................................61 Food & Beverage 63 All Foods ...................................................................................................63 Concessions & Exhibits ............................................................................63 Fariborne’s Fabulous Fair Food Finder.....................................................63 Foods On-A-Stick ......................................................................................63 New Foods.................................................................................................63 Getting to the Fair 67 Guest Services 69 History 73 Minnesota State Agricultural Society History .....................................................................73 2008 Anniversaries...................................................................................73 Fairborne and Fairchild Mascots .............................................................74 Historical Dates ........................................................................................74 Historic Buildings .....................................................................................77 2 Special Days & Events 81 Calendar/Day Designations ....................................................................81 Fairchild’s Fantastic Fair Fun Finder........................................................83 Special Events & Ceremonies...................................................................83 Special Exhibits 87 Butter Sculptures ......................................................................................87 Christmas Tree Division ...........................................................................87 Eco Experience..........................................................................................87 Family Fair ...............................................................................................89 Health-Related Exhibits............................................................................89 History Museum .......................................................................................90 International Bazaar................................................................................90 Minnesota Territorial Pioneers Cabin......................................................91 Minnesota Wine Country ........................................................................91 Pet Center .................................................................................................92 Touring Promotional Exhibits..................................................................93 Ticketed Attractions 97 Adventure Park ........................................................................................97 Kidway......................................................................................................97 Mighty Midway ........................................................................................98 Other Ticketed Attractions .......................................................................99 Ticketing & Savings 101 Discount Ticket Sales (Pre-Fair)..............................................................101 Ticket Sales (During Fair).......................................................................101 Grandstand Tickets.................................................................................101 Re-Admission..........................................................................................102 Refunds ...................................................................................................102 Special Discount Days............................................................................102 Blue Ribbon Bargain Book.....................................................................103 Deals, Drawings & Giveaways Guide....................................................103 Midway and Kidway Specials ................................................................103 Trivia 105 What’s New ?! 109 Agricultural and Horticultural Education .............................................109 Attractions ..............................................................................................109 Competitions ..........................................................................................109 Concessions ............................................................................................110 Entertainment ........................................................................................113 Exhibits ...................................................................................................114 Food ........................................................................................................115 Savings....................................................................................................117 Texas Trick Riders ...................................................................................117 Other New Elements...............................................................................117 Index 119 3 4 INTERVIEW ARRANGEMENTS State Fair media relations staff is happy to help you make connections and coordinate interviews with concessionaires, exhibitors, free stage artists, attraction operators and State Fair staff. Please call Brooke Dillon at (651) 288-4381 or Brienna Schuette at (651) 288-4452 for contact information or interview arrangements. To make arrangements for free stage artist interviews or appearances, contact Tessa Johnsen at (651) 288-4455. MEDIA PHOTO GALLERY High-resolution State Fair photographs are available for download and journalists’ use. Please