Minnesota State Agriculture Society Votes to Maintain Ticket Prices for 2024 Fair

(KNSI) — It may be the dead of winter, but it’s never too early to start planning for summer, as the Minnesota State Fair made a big announcement on Sunday.

The Minnesota State Agriculture Society is in charge of the fair and voted to keep admission prices for the 2024 Great Minnesota Get Together the same as for the 2023 event.

Adult admission for those ages 13 to 64 is $18. Kids ages five through 12 and seniors 65 or better get in for $16. Kids age four and under get in free. Pre-fair discount admission tickets are $15 and are currently on sale. For a complete list of pricing and to purchase tickets, click here.

There will also be $10.2 million in upgrades before the gates open on August 22nd.

New windows and doors will be installed in the Fine Arts Center, plus upgrades to the Kidway lot, construction of a new ticket office outside the Grandstand, and installation of new doors and additional fans in the Horse Barn. Safety and security investments will be made, tree care and landscaping will also be done, and the fair will purchase additional bike racks, install more water fill stations, improve outdoor lighting and add shade umbrellas at Dan Patch Park.

Also at the meetings over the weekend, retiring Board President Joe Scapanski of Sauk Rapids was elected to honorary life membership in the Society. Scapanski served on the State Fair board of managers since 2010 and was president in 2022 and 2023. He has farmed in Benton County since his youth. Besides farming, he has been a township supervisor for 30 years, a real estate broker for 35 years, and a member of the Central MN Arts Board and the Minnesota Federation of County Fairs board. In high school, he was an officer in FFA, which led to further involvement, including being a state vice president and traveling with FFA members to Europe to learn more about other youth groups. He received the 2014 International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) Heritage Award and graduated from IAFE’s Institute of Fair Management.

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