Aug. 22 – Labor Day, Sept. 2, 2024
267 Days 0 Hours 47 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 2023 Minnesota State Fair, Aug. 24 through Labor Day, Sept. 4. (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 2023 fair, Aug. 24-Sept. 4, 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 $20 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 11:30 p.m. daily (9:30 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. Which lots offer accessible buses will be noted in the Park & Ride link above when information becomes available.
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.
Fish Pond Talk
Located at the DNR Fish Pond, south of the DNR Building
Daily at 9:45 a.m.
All-Star Stunt Dogs Splash
Located at The North Woods Stage
Daily at 11 a.m.
Timberworks Lumberjack Show
Located at The North Woods Stage
Daily at noon
Harvesting Honey
Located in the Agriculture Horticulture Building
Daily at 1 p.m. (On Wednesday, Aug. 30, the Bee Beard demonstration will be interpreted at 1 p.m. in the same location in lieu of Harvesting Honey.)
Milking Demonstration
Located at the Moo Booth stage outside the Cattle Barn
Daily at 2 p.m. (On Wednesday, Aug. 30, the 4 p.m. Milking Demonstration will also be ASL-interpreted.)
The DIRT Demonstration (topics vary daily)
Located at The DIRT Demo Stage in the Agriculture Horticulture Building
Daily at 2 p.m. (Link to The DIRT schedule)
Thank A Farmer
Located at the Christensen Farms Stage
Daily at 3 p.m.
Last Chance Forever Bird Show
Located at the Garden Stage on west side of DNR Building
Daily at 4 p.m. (no show Wednesday, Aug. 30)
STEM Day at Dan Patch Park
Located at Dan Patch Park
Thursday, Aug. 24 (ASL interpretation provided for select programs on stage, including: 12:15 p.m. National Eagle Center; 1:15 p.m. ABC 6 News Weather Lab; 2:15 p.m. University of Minnesota Physics Force; 3:15 p.m. Concordia Science Academy: Chemistry & Beyond)
Llama-Alpaca Costume Contest
Located in the Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum
Wednesday, Aug. 30 at 6 p.m.
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.
Captioning for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing will be offered at these free shows and competitions, no reservations required. A monitor displaying the captioning will be positioned near the stage or in a designated seating area.
MNHS Presents History On-A-Schtick
Located at the Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26; Sunday, Aug. 27; Wednesday, Aug. 30; Thursday, Aug. 31
Draft Horse Supreme Six Horse Hitch Classic Series
Located at the Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum (captioning seating section info coming)
2 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 28
4-H Llama-Alpaca Costume Contest
Located at the Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum (captioning seating section info coming)
6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 30
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. 26; Sunday, Aug. 27; Wednesday, Aug. 30; Thursday, Aug. 31
Timberworks Lumberjack Show
Located at The North Woods Stage
3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26; Sunday, Aug. 27; Thursday, Aug. 31
Theater Day at Dan Patch Park: Madagascar – A Musical Adventure JR.
Located at Dan Patch Park
1 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 30
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, including the plaza and elevated mainstand sections. 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 by way of the elevators at the east and west ends of the Grandstand, the ramp at the west end of the Grandstand near the elevator, or the Grandstand Ramp from Carnes Avenue. If you’d like to use an elevator, we recommend the larger elevator on the west end. For more information, call 651-288-4427.
Grandstand Accessibility Map showing elevators, ramps, seating areas, restrooms, food & drink locations and more.
ASL interpreting is available upon request for the Grandstand Concert Series. To purchase Grandstand tickets in the ASL interpretation section, 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. Ticket purchases in the ASL interpretation section (Riser 1) must be made at least 14 days prior to the concert.
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)
Monday, Aug. 28: 9-11 a.m. at Kidway; 10 a.m. to noon at Mighty Midway
For guests who would like to experience the fun of rides & games at Mighty Midway & Kidway with reduced light brightness and sound volume, on Monday, Aug. 28, at the times noted above, lights, sounds and non-safety-related announcements will be minimized.
Please note: The sensory-friendly hours apply only to Mighty Midway & Kidway; there may be areas in other parts of the fairgrounds that contain loud music and lights during these hours. Also, in the Mighty Midway & Kidway, some lights and sound may still occur, as not all attractions can completely eliminate all sound and light.
Printable Tips for Visiting the Fair with Sensory Sensitivities (link coming soon)
To help you make the most of your day at the fair, below are tips from Fraser and the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota.
Pre-visit stories, also called social narratives, 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 pre-visit story 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 2023 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:
For fair guests who would like to experience the fun of rides & games at Mighty Midway & Kidway with reduced light brightness and sound volume, on Monday, Aug. 28, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Kidway, and from 10 a.m. to noon at Mighty Midway, lights, sounds and non-safety-related announcements will be minimized.
Please note: The sensory-friendly hours apply only to Mighty Midway & Kidway; there may be areas in other parts of the fairgrounds that contain loud music and lights during these hours. Also, in the Mighty Midway & Kidway, some lights and sound may still occur, as not all attractions can completely eliminate all sound and light.
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 and care givers 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 list published in August 2023 by Access Press, a statewide news source for people with disabilities.
Momentum Refresh is the nation’s first fully accessible, universally designed, mobile restroom equipped with a full-size adjustable changing table, a ceiling hoist (sling not provided) and other amenities.
By offering a safe and comfortable personal care space for those with mobility limitations and their caregivers, Momentum Refresh reduces barriers and promotes inclusivity, equity and understanding. In addition to a toilet, this groundbreaking vehicle is equipped with a height-adjustable universal changing table, an overhead ceiling hoist (sling not provided) to facilitate easier transfer from wheelchair to changing table or toilet, a height-adjustable sink, enough room for an individual and caregiver, and a team of trained professionals available to inform guests about the amenities and to maintain and clean the space. (Note: Slings for the ceiling hoist are specific to the individual and are therefore not provided. Please make sure to bring your own sling. Any sling with a loop attachment is compatible with the lift in the vehicle. Check out this link with more info.) Support provided by the Minnesota State Fair Foundation.
Located on east side of Cosgrove Street, north of Lee Avenue (U11 on fairgrounds map)
Open daily, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (8 p.m. on Labor Day)
Large-print daily schedules and fairgrounds maps are available at any information booth. Here are links to downloadable daily schedules and fairgrounds map.
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