Aug. 24 – Labor Day, Sept. 4, 2023
331 Days 13 Hours 33 Mins
Welcome to the Great Minnesota Get-Together! We offer a variety of services so that our guests can make the most of their visit to the 12 best days of summer. This guide applies to the 2022 Minnesota State Fair, Aug. 25 through Labor Day, Sept. 5. (All information subject to change.)
HomeTown Mobility, an independent vendor, provides electric mobility scooters, strollers, wagons and wheelchairs for rent at five locations inside the main gates of the fairgrounds. Hours are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (9 p.m. Labor Day) daily. Advance reservations are recommended; scroll down for details on how to make a reservation.
If renting on-site, equipment is available on a first-come basis and subject to availability. Cash, credit and debit cards are accepted.
Guests are welcome to bring their own electric scooters and wheelchairs. Please note that battery charging of personal mobility equipment is not available at HomeTown Mobility; please scroll down for alternate locations.
Note: Guests arriving via group charter buses will enter the fairgrounds at Gate #18 on Randall Avenue.
Check out a State Fair Map for rental locations
HomeTown Mobility is now accepting reservations for rental of wheelchairs and electric mobility scooters.
Reserve online, or call HomeTown Mobility’s home office at 1-712-938-2029 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. (During the fair, Aug. 25-Sept. 5, HomeTown’s office is also open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.)
Note: The deadline for reserving a scooter or wheelchair is 5 p.m. the day prior to when you need the scooter/wheelchair. For example, if you want a scooter on Friday, you have until 5 p.m. Thursday to make a reservation online or by phone. Cancellation must be made 48 hours in advance to receive a refund, less a $5 cancellation fee per rental unit. Reservations made by phone are subject to a $5 call-in fee; this fee does not apply to reservations made online. If you make a reservation, your wheelchair or scooter will be held until you arrive. If you rent from HomeTown Mobility, you may leave walkers, manual wheelchairs or other mobility equipment at the rental tent while using the HomeTown wheelchair or scooter.
Note: A limited number of wheelchairs and scooters are available for guests without reservations on a first-come basis; however, reservations are highly recommended to ensure a wheelchair or scooter is available for your visit. Reservations made by phone are subject to a $5 call-in fee. Strollers and wagons are available on a walk-in basis only.
If you need a regular electrical outlet plug-in for charging an electric mobility scooter battery, there are two options on the fairgrounds: Care & Assistance south of West End Market is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily (8 p.m. on Labor Day). Also, on the south side of the Grandstand outside between the entrance doors, outlets are designated with disability signs.
Parking spaces designated for vehicles with a valid disability parking certificate are available in the Camel, Robin and West and East Como lots on the State Fairgrounds on a first-come basis. Please note that these lots often fill up early each day, and there is no guarantee that space will be available. The cost is $17 per day (cash or credit).
Learn more about parking in fairgrounds lots
The State Fair provides a free Park & Ride lot with free wheelchair-accessible bus service exclusively for people with disabilities and their companions. The lot, open to those with disability parking certificates or disability license plates, is located south of the State Fairgrounds at Oscar Johnson Arena, 1039 De Courcy Circle, St. Paul, MN 55108. From Snelling Avenue, exit at Energy Park Drive; travel east past the Accord office building to the first left turn, and head to the north side of Oscar Johnson Arena. Parking is available on a first-come basis.
Buses run continuously 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily (9 p.m. on Labor Day). Passengers are dropped off and picked up at the Como Loop Gate #9.
The State Fair’s free Park & Ride service includes approximately 30 lots in the metro area located closer to the fairgrounds. A select number of lots are serviced by buses that are mostly wheelchair accessible. All other lots are serviced by a limited number of wheelchair-accessible buses. More information on which lots offer accessible buses
Metro Transit, along with Southwest Transit and Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, offers State Fair Express Bus service for a small fee from numerous locations with free parking throughout the metro area. All Express Bus service is wheelchair accessible. Learn more
Metro Mobility drops off and picks up passengers at two locations at the fairgrounds (check out a State Fair map):
Learn more about designated drop-off and pick-up points
Metro Transit regular routes METRO A Line and Route 3 serve the fairgrounds. All regular route service is wheelchair accessible. Learn more
Drivers wishing to drop off passengers and then leave the fairgrounds or continue to a parking area should do so either at the Como Loop Gate #9 (1741 Como Ave.) or outside the North End Gate #2 (1807 Hoyt Ave.). Charter buses drop off passengers at Gate #18. HomeTown Mobility booths that rent wheelchairs and electric scooters are located just inside each of these gates. Check out a State Fair map
During the fair, ASL interpreters are available to assist guests 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. If you would like ASL interpretation during your visit, please contact us by email at accessibility@mnstatefair.org, by phone at 651-288-4448, or stop by Guest Relations at Visitors Plaza. (Advance arrangements are recommended. Requests for interpreter services will be accommodated based on interpreter availability.)
ASL interpretation is offered at these free shows each day, no reservations required.
Milking Demonstration
Located at the Moo Booth stage outside the Cattle Barn
Daily at 10 a.m.
Fish Pond Talk
Located at the DNR Fish Pond, south of the DNR Building
Daily at 10:45 a.m.
Timberworks Lumberjack Show
Located at The North Woods Stage
Daily at noon
Thank A Farmer
Located at the Christensen Farms Stage
Daily at 1 p.m.
Harvesting Honey
Located in the Agriculture Horticulture Building
Daily at 2 p.m.
Renewing the Countryside Cooking Demonstration (topics vary daily)
Located at the Sustainability Stage in Eco Experience
Daily at 3 p.m.
Llama-Alpaca Costume Contest
Located in the Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum
Wednesday, Aug. 31 at 6 p.m.
Mental Health Awareness at Dan Patch Park
Located at Dan Patch Park
Monday, Aug. 29 (ASL interpretation will be provided throughout the day for select programs on the stage.)
Hmong Minnesota Day at Dan Patch Park
Located at Dan Patch Park
Monday, Sept. 5 (ASL interpretation will be provided throughout the day for select programs on the stage.)
ASL interpreting is also available upon request for evening Bandshell Tonight! shows at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell. Requests should be made at least 14 days prior to the concert. Contact accessibility@mnstatefair.org or 651-288-4448. Bandshell Tonight! shows are free with fair admission.
Open captioning for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing will be offered at these free performances, no reservations required. A monitor displaying the captioning will be positioned near the stage.
MNHS Presents History On-A-Schtick
Located at the Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27; Sunday, Aug. 28; Wednesday, Aug. 31; Thursday, Sept. 1
Audio description for guests who are blind or have low vision will be offered at these free shows, no reservations required. Headsets for audio description can be picked up from the audio describer, who will be located near the stage prior to the show.
MNHS Presents History On-A-Schtick
Located at the Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27; Sunday, Aug. 28; Wednesday, Aug. 31; Thursday, Sept. 1
All-Star Stunt Dogs Splash
Located at The North Woods stage
2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27; Sunday, Aug. 28; Wednesday, Aug. 31; Thursday, Sept. 1
Please note: State Fair admission is not included in the purchase of Grandstand Concert Series tickets. Customers must purchase admission into the fairgrounds in addition to the Grandstand ticket.
There are several wheelchair seating locations in the Grandstand. These are available for purchase online, over the phone or in-person (see the “Buying Grandstand Tickets” link above). Ticket buyers who require wheelchair-accessible locations may purchase up to three companion seats for each wheelchair location, subject to availability.
Guests using wheelchairs may enter the Grandstand by way of the ramp at the west end of the Grandstand, the Grandstand Ramp from Carnes Avenue, or the elevators at the east and west ends of the Grandstand. For more information, call 651-288-4427.
ASL interpreting is available upon request for the Grandstand Concert Series. Requests must be made at least 14 days prior to the concert. To purchase Grandstand tickets and request an interpreter, please call Etix (800-514-3849) or the State Fair Ticket Office (651-288-4427), or purchase in-person at the State Fair Ticket Office beginning Aug. 1.
Assistive listening devices are available free for use during Grandstand shows. Receivers and headsets are available from the guest services desk on the east side of the Grandstand Plaza. A valid driver’s license or state ID and a credit card are required for check-out. (The credit card will only be charged if the receiver and headset are not returned or are damaged.)
All entertainment venues, indoor and outdoor, have access for entry, exit and viewing. Special seating areas are available for guests with disabilities on a first-come basis.
This take-a-break oasis is specially created for fair guests of all ages with sensory-processing challenges who may find the sights, sounds, smells and crowds of the fair overwhelming.
The sensory space in the Fraser Sensory Building will be staffed by Fraser-trained sensory support volunteers who can help individuals regulate with tools and techniques such as weighted blankets and shoulder wraps, calming music, floor cushions, an exercise ball and fidget toys. People with sensory difficulties are welcome to use the space to regulate.
The Fraser Sensory Building will also feature interactive sensory activities, giveaways, educational resources and information about employment opportunities. The nonprofit welcomes individuals and families to join us for fun activities and to explore their resources. Fraser, a Minnesota nonprofit, is a nationally recognized expert in treating early childhood autism and mental health, and in providing overall wellness programs for those who have intellectual or developmental disabilities with co-occurring autism or mental health issues.
Located on the west side of Cosgrove Street, south of the Home Improvement Building
Open daily, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (8 p.m. on Labor Day)
Printable Tips for Visiting the Fair with Sensory Sensitivities
Below are tips to help you make the most of your day at the fair, including a social narrative prepare with Fraser’s assistance.
Social narratives, also called pre-visit stories, provide a blueprint to explain new experiences and decrease the anxiety around unfamiliar or potentially overwhelming events.
This narrative, developed by Fraser, highlights in general the parts of the fair that might be the most challenging and explains that if individuals feel overwhelmed, they can take a break in the Fraser Sensory Building (more info above).
Read Fraser’s Minnesota State Fair social narrative to help you and your family or group prepare for the fair.
Before you come to the fair, please visit the Updates page of our website for the latest information on the 2022 State Fair.
Information subject to change.
Service dogs are permitted on the fairgrounds. Service dogs are those that have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please note: During the 12 days of the Minnesota State Fair, pets are not allowed on the fairgrounds, with the exception of service dogs or animals approved as part of an exhibition.
The Minnesota State Fair’s Mighty Midway and Kidway welcome you! Our first responsibility is to ensure that guests have a safe and enjoyable experience each time they visit. We encourage guests to take responsibility for choosing which amusement attractions are appropriate for them. Here is some helpful information:
Whenever a guest is required to be accompanied by a responsible companion, the accompanying person must be able to safely ride the ride and assist the guest. This includes helping the guest in boarding, de-boarding and passing through the attraction; assisting the guest to maintain postural control while riding; and assisting the guest down stairs, catwalks or ladders in case evacuation is necessary. Attraction operators are neither trained nor permitted to physically assist guests.
Guests should observe an attraction through at least one cycle of operation to become familiar with the motion and dynamic actions before choosing to ride.
Before entering a ride/attraction, all guests must:
Guests with service animals must have a companion stay with their animal while they are riding. Attraction operators cannot be responsible for the care and safety of service animals and still maintain proper control of their attraction.
Persons with conditions that could be aggravated by an attraction’s dynamic actions, such as bumping or jarring, are cautioned not to ride. Guests should use caution in choosing attractions if they are pregnant or have head, back, neck, stomach, heart, cardiovascular or respiratory conditions, degenerative bone disease, or other health issues.
Parents are responsible for deciding if an attraction is appropriate before placing a child on an amusement ride.
Rides and Attractions at the Minnesota State Fair
Dozens of food and beverage locations throughout the fairgrounds offer seating areas that are accessible by curb cuts and have hard, sturdy floor surfaces and tables that a guest can pull up to in a wheelchair or scooter or move a chair to make room for a wheelchair or scooter. Here is the published list in Access Press (Aug. 2022).
Large-print daily schedules and fairgrounds maps are available at any information booth.
Take a book break at Alphabet Forest, an oasis of fun games and activities to inspire young readers to build vocabulary, learn about letters and explore the wonderful world of reading and writing. As part of our mini on-site library of children’s books to enjoy, several selections also contain Braille. Stop by!
Bariatric chairs may be available upon request with at least 24 hours advance notice at some seating areas throughout the fairgrounds (including the Grandstand), based on availability. To inquire about bariatric seating, contact accessibility@mnstatefair.org or 651-288-4448.
accessibility@mnstatefair.org
651-288-4448
All information subject to change.
