Minnesota Territorial Agricultural Society held its first territorial fair, a joint presentation with Hennepin County Agricultural Society. Minnesota Territorial Agricultural Society later becomes Minnesota State Agricultural Society, which governs the Minnesota State Fair to this day (Minnesota became a state in 1858).
165 years: 1860
Minnesota State Fair is held at Fort Snelling.
Two years after statehood, through the Legislature of the State of Minnesota, the Agricultural Society is officially renamed Minnesota State Agricultural Society.
150 years: 1875
Known as “the grasshopper year,” locusts destroyed most crops in the southern and western parts of the state, which affected the attendance of the State Fair: Fewer than 6,000 attended the four-day fair.
140 years: 1885
After decades of temporary fairgrounds in cities of Minneapolis, St. Paul, Red Wing, Rochester, Winona and Owatonna, the Minnesota State Fair finds its permanent fairgrounds “midway between St. Paul and Minneapolis” in Hamline, Minn.
120 years: 1905
The “Minnesota Building” from the 1904 St. Louis Exposition was reconstructed on the State Fairgrounds.
115 years: 1910
The Main Exposition Building, built in 1885 and once used for various exhibits, changed to agriculture only. Agricultural and horticultural exhibits are shown in the same footprint to this day (where the Agricultural Horticultural Building now stands, built in 1947).
The first airplane flight in Minnesota was held on the fairgrounds for the “Twin Cities Aviation Meet,” June 22-25.
First airplane flights during the State Fair featured Wright Bros. and Curtiss aeroplanes.
President William Howard Taft addressed the Grandstand crowd on Sept. 5.
Teddy Roosevelt addressed the Grandstand crowd on Sept. 6.
110 years: 1915
Ye Old Mill, the oldest amusement on the fairgrounds, is built.
Minnesota Farm Women’s Congress built and presented the “Model Farm House.” It stands today but is no longer used regularly for fair operations.
105 years: 1920
Cattle Barn is constructed.
Senator Warren G. Harding toured the fairgrounds and spoke to the Grandstand audience.
85 years: 1940
With removal of the one-mile racetrack, Underwood Street was extended north from Commonwealth Avenue (now known as Dan Patch Avenue).
Open for partial use in 1939, the 4-H Building construction was completed in 1940.
80 years: 1945
State Fair was canceled due to World War II.
Before the fair was canceled, the Minneapolis Tribune planned special prizes in the canning division of Woman’s Activities (now known as Creative Activities). The Tribune and State Fair co-sponsored the show, held at Dayton’s Department Store, Aug. 27-30.
75 years: 1950
Dayton’s Company opens an exhibit under the Grandstand Ramp.
Joie Chitwood Auto Daredevils made their first appearance at the fair.
70 years: 1955
First year the State Fair (10-day fair) passed the 1 million mark in attendance.
Robert Karklin of St. Paul became the symbolic representative of the 1 millionth admission ticket. He received a trophy, wristwatch, and was introduced to the Grandstand audience.
“All the Milk You Can Drink for 10¢” booth debuts.
60 years: 1965
Crop Art competition in the Agriculture Horticulture Building debuted.
Construction of a “diamond type” interchange at Como and Snelling avenues included an overpass to help ease traffic congestion.
Space Tower was constructed.
Princess Kay butter sculptures debuted.
Princess Kay wore a dress made of butter labels from Minnesota creameries.
Fair-time pedestrian bridge added on Como Avenue.
50 years: 1975
First 12-day fair (previous fairs were between three to 11 days long)
Heritage Square opens (West End Market now resides in its place)
45 years: 1980
Fine arts exhibition moves from the Grandstand to its current home at the Fine Arts Center (originally built in 1907 as the Dairy Building).
The 50 Year Award program was established.
30 years: 1995
Mighty Midway – independently contracted rides, games and concessions – debuted.
The Commonwealth Avenue roadway is removed south of the Grandstand and under the Grandstand Ramp. No longer an east/west thoroughfare, the road is renamed West Dan Patch and Dan Patch avenues.
Kidway debuts on Machinery Hill.
25 years: 2000
An all-time attendance record of 22,117 saw Christina Aguilera at the Grandstand (the seating configuration at the time included bleachers).
Agrilympics, a blend of agriculture, local celebrities and sports, made its debut.
Red & White dairy cattle breed was added to the dairy cattle competition.
15 years: 2010
Ag Magic Show debuts at the outdoor stage at the CHS Miracle of Birth Center. This is now known as the Thank a Farmer Magic Show at the Christensen Farms Stage.
Fabulous Fair Alphabet (now known as Alphabet Forest) debuted at Baldwin Park.
10 years: 2015
Math On-A-Stick debuted at Baldwin Park.
History On-A-Schtick, a performance brought to the fair by Minnesota Historical Society and Minnesota State Fair Foundation, debuts at the Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater at the West End Market.
Hmong Minnesota Day at Carousel Park (now Dan Patch Park) is established.
5 years: 2020
Fair was canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Fine arts exhibition continued with a virtual and in-person show.
Virtual contests included cookie decorating, crop art, K-12 artwork and photography, and quilt on-a-stick.
Drive-thru food parades were created in lieu of the State Fair.
