Minnesota State Fair Announces $22 Million in Upgrades, Price Hikes for 2025 Get Together

(KNSI) — The Minnesota State Fair starts seven months from Tuesday, and the board already announced an increase in the admission and parking prices.

Prices will go up $2 across all age categories. General admission will be $20 at the gate. On site parking will go from $20 to $25.

For those who want to get their tickets early, they can do so by buying them for $15 through January 26th. January 27th through August 20th, pre-fair admission tickets are $17. Get them by clicking here.

The fair board says the price hikes are aimed at offsetting more than $20 million in capital improvements across the fairgrounds.

The Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum will see the biggest facelift as the historic building undergoes its first significant update in the building’s almost 75 year history. Planned upgrades include replacing the leaking roof, modernizing mechanical and electrical systems, installing new seats and railings in the seating area, expanding restroom capacity, renovating entryways, and improving lighting, ventilation and accessibility.

There will also be $6.2 million spent for replacing the roof of the 4-H Building, upgrading fencing and gate areas, revamping the Creative Activities Annex, caring for and adding trees throughout the grounds, purchasing a police squad car, continuing upgrades to Christensen Pavilion, replacing and repairing sidewalks and street pavement, upgrading the fiber optic system, improving building lighting and maintaining street lights, installing and replacing water bottle refill stations and drinking fountains, purchasing misting machines and trash compactors, maintaining the sewer system, plus additional roof repair, painting, ventilation, landscaping, vehicle maintenance and computer hardware projects.

The Minnesota State Fair is financially self-supporting, getting no outside money from the state. The fair is governed by the Minnesota State Agricultural Society which finances the annual production of the fair and is responsible for all capital work and maintenance of the fairgrounds, classified as state property.

The fair’s income comes from ticket sales, licensing of commercial exhibit space, the rental of fair facilities for non-fair events, and other areas. Expenses include services for fair guests such as Park & Ride buses, sanitation, law enforcement and security, and free stage entertainment, as well as fairgrounds operations and administration.

The board approved the 2025 State Fair operating and maintenance budget reflecting expenses of $71 million.

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