The Minnesota State Fair recently held their annual meeting where they reported the event suffered an operating loss of $1.3 million for 2021. That follows a $16.5 million
operating loss in ’20 when the fair was canceled due to COVID-19.

Minnesota State Fair General Manager Jerry Hammer says COVID-19 related complications hindered the 2021 event, with concessionaires, vendors, suppliers, entertainers, competitive exhibitors, volunteers and other participants all feeling the impact.

“Uncertainty about whether there would even be a fair in ’21 lingered into May, creating a significantly compressed time frame in which to produce what is normally one of the largest and best-attended events in the world,” Hammer said. “The severe labor shortage, supply chain issues, lack of time to obtain thousands of commitments needed and security concerns were just a few of the myriad hurdles to clear,” Hammer continued. “The reemergence of the virus late in the summer created further complications,” Hammer added.

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With planning for the 2022 Great Minnesota Get Together currently underway, one thing that was decided was that ticket prices would be increased this year.

From August 25 through September 4, the Minnesota State Fair's board of managers approved a $17 regular gate admission price for people 13-64. Kids ages 5-12 and seniors 65+ will be for $15, while children 4 and under will be admitted free. The 2022 admission fees represent a $1 increase in each category from 2021 and take effect February 1.

With that in mind, you can still get an admission ticket for just $13 if you purchase your tickets by January 31. That is the special pre-fair discount admission price, which is only available online.

Another thing that will change in 2022 are the Minnesota State Fair hours of operation. This year, the fairgrounds will be open from:

  • 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. from Thursday, August 25 through Sunday, September 4.
  • 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Labor Day, September 5.

In 2021, the fairgrounds were open at 6:00 a.m. until midnight for the first 11 days of the fair and then from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Labor Day.

As of now, no formal announcements have been made about the 2022 Grandstand Stage lineup, but those announcements should start to arrive in the near future.

Stars Who Headlined The Grandstand At The 1980 Minnesota State Fair

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