Minnesota State Fair history

1885: First year at present fairgrounds, at the time it was known as the city of Hamline, in Rose Township ★ Wooden Grandstand, Main Building (Agriculture), and numerous stock barns built ★ Fair runs for six days

The first building on the site was a brick structure built in 1886, and it was used as an art gallery.

1897: Hamline Church Dining Hall opens – longest-running food concession at the fair

1899: First evening Grandstand show, “The Burning of Manila” fireworks presentation ★ First year of electricity at the fair, which allowed it to operate after sunset

The first building on this site was erected in 1904 to serve as the Manufacturer’s Building.

1906: Legendary pacer horse Dan Patch set the world record time of 1:55 for one mile at the Grandstand ★ James J. Hill dedicated the newly constructed Hippodrome

The dairy department has been housed in various buildings throughout the fairgrounds – the oldest one still remaining is now the Fine Arts Center, built in 1907.

1910: First airplane flight in Minnesota was featured at the fairgrounds

In 1911, a fine arts annex was built onto the Woman’s Building and formed a link to the Schools Exhibits Building.

With an addition to this building in 1912, Minnesota boasted the largest permanent building devoted to the exhibition of agricultural products in the world.

1916: First greenhouse built on the fairgrounds ★ Farm Girls Camp added to Machinery Hill

1922: Vice President Calvin Coolidge was heckled by an impatient Grandstand audience after speaking for 45 minutes on a 90° day.

1927: John Phillip Sousa composed the “Minnesota March” and performed it at the fair.

1933: First Thrill Day ★ First year of “everyone pays” gate ★ Royal American Shows contracted for the carnival midway – partnership lasts for decades ★ First fair to have four Ferris wheels in one location

Known originally as the Conservation Building, it was erected in 1934 atop the former streetcar gate, which was moved one block to the south.

1937: Last year of the one-mile track.

Erected as a WPA project in 1938, this building is a central location for supply warehouses.

1939: Last year of the one-mile track.

Until 1943, swine shared their space with sheep.

1946: No fair – Polio epidemic ★ Livestock buildings reconverted for pre-war use ★ Hippodrome no longer structurally sound and razed

1947: Livestock and poultry shows reinstated ★ Only draft horses were exhibited at the fair; judging held outside of the Horse Barn ★ The Pronto Pup made its debut, the first food on-a-stick

1948: Future Farmers of America (FFA) starts exhibiting livestock at the fair.

1954: First statewide Princess Kay of the Milky Way contest

1955: The State Fair passed the 1 million mark in attendance for the first time.

In 1958, the original building was razed, and a new portrait hall was built, along with the Pioneer Woman statue to honor the Statehood Centennial.

1962: First “big-name” night shows were staged, starring Dennis Day, Jane Russell and Jimmy Dean.

Built in 1963 by the North Central Electric League as an exhibit of electrical appliances and equipment, the building was appropriately named Electri-City.

1965: Space Tower built ★ First year Princess Kay and her court carved in butter

The current Dairy Building was built in 1967, but for its first year, the education department exhibits were shown there, due to a roof collapse the previous winter at the Education Building.

1970: Mexican Village opens, featuring wares, food and entertainment

1971: Bandshell constructed, becoming the largest free stage at the fair ★ Conservation building renamed to DNR; fish ponds added to the DNR Park

In 1973, it was renamed the Modern Living Building, chosen through a statewide contest.

1975: Fair extends from 11 to Twelve Days of Fun Ending Labor Day ★ Heritage Square opens (replaces former Teen Fair)

1976: Heritage Square expands and adds the Minnesota State Fair Museum

In 1980, it became home to the fair’s Fine Arts Exhibition, Minnesota’s largest juried art show.

1991: Visitors Plaza constructed ★ Pet Center opened

1995: Carousel Park constructed (now known as Dan Patch Park) ★ Mighty Midway opens, the State Fair’s self-directed carnival ★ Kidway becomes a permanent feature at the north end ★ Old Iron Show debuts on Machinery Hill

2001: SkyGlider constructed ★ Adopt-A-Garden Program began

2004: The Grandstand renovation project was completed and included a new Grandstand Plaza seating area, accessible entrance and exit ramps, and entertainment production facility.

Started in 2008, the Minnesota State Fair archives staff continue to catalog and sort more than a century’s worth of history.

The most recent addition is the Moo Booth exhibit, which was rebuilt in 2009 to showcase beef and dairy cattle’s role in the agricultural process from farm to table.

2011: First Military Appreciation Day ★ First year of the State Fair History Walking tour, which is a partnership between the Minnesota State Fair Foundation and the Minnesota Historical Society

In 2017, an accessible elevator was added to the west side of the Grandstand to accompany the elevator already in place on the east side.

In 2018, the new state-of-the-art Cambria Kitchen was built for cooking demonstrations.

2019: North End area created to include the North End Event Center, Minnesota Corn Fairstalk, sculptures and Minnesota Marquees