2026 Annual Meeting

Minnesota State Agricultural Society to Invest $67 million in the Minnesota State Fairgrounds and Programs While State Fair Ticket Prices Remain Unchanged for 2026

Jan. 18, 2026

St. Paul, Minn. – At its 167^th annual meeting, the Minnesota State Agricultural Society board, governing body of the Minnesota State Fair, voted to keep admission ticket prices and parking fees unchanged for the 2026 State Fair, which runs Aug. 27 through Sept. 7. At the same time, the board approved more than $67 million to improve the State Fairgrounds, enhance the guest experience and elevate the educational and entertainment programming that has made the State Fair world-renowned.

The Minnesota State Fair is financially self-supporting and does not receive government funding. Revenue from ticket sales, percentages and fees paid by vendors, facility rental, sponsorships and other sources brings the fair to life – powering memorable experiences, world-class operations, and exceptional care of the historic fairgrounds.

The Society’s annual meeting was held Jan. 15-18 at the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton in Bloomington, Minn.

Admission Tickets Remain the Same as 2025

With the board choosing to not raise ticket prices for 2026, State Fair CEO Renee Alexander said, “We remain focused on delivering a great day at the fair while being thoughtful stewards of this storied treasure. Minnesotans care deeply about their State Fair, and our approach is to make smart investments that honor tradition, set the standard for high-value, high-quality experiences, and ensure the fair’s continued relevance and significance for generations.”

2026 Ticket Prices:

Pre-fair discount admission tickets for all ages through Aug. 26: $17. These tickets are now available at Etix.com and are valid any day of the fair and for any age.
Regular fair-time admission at the gate: Adults (ages 13-64) – $20; Seniors (65+) and Kids (ages 5-12) – $18; Children (4 and under) – always free
Promotional day discounts will continue to be offered on Opening Day, Aug. 27; Seniors Days, Aug. 31 and Sept. 3; Military Appreciation Day, Sept. 1; and Kids Days, Sept. 2 and 7
On-site car parking: $25

Investments in Facilities, Operations and Programs

Charged with the care of the 322-acre State Fairgrounds, home to the State Fair since 1885, the Society, approved $23.2 million in capital and maintenance work. Notable projects in 2026 include:

Completing the Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum renovation, including installing new seating, wider aisles and railings; expanding restrooms; adding a meeting room and office space; redesigning entryways; upgrading electrical and lighting; painting throughout; and more
Dozens of projects throughout the buildings and grounds such as repair and replacement of fencing and street and sidewalk pavement; enhanced lighting on the north end of the fairgrounds; installation and maintenance of sewer and water systems; upgrades to electrical, fiber optic and computer systems; addition of fans in the Food Building, The Garden and the Horse Barn; new windows in Christensen Pavilion; replacement of doors on the West Barn and Forage Barn; track lighting in the Fine Arts Center; display cooler in Creative Activities; expansion of South Bike Lot; tree care program, garden work and landscaping; painting; purchase of portable drinking fountains, trucks, utility vehicles and recycle containers; among others

As part of almost $44 million in operating expenses, the State Fair is planning:

Hundreds of entertainment performances and a variety of educational programming such as a marquee exhibit in the North End Event Center, Little Farm Hands, CHS Miracle of Birth Center and others – all free with fair admission; free Park & Ride bus service; operation of the Mighty Midway, Kidway, Adventure Park and other ticketed attractions; production of the 12-day Grandstand Concert Series; sanitation services; livestock and horse exhibitions; competitions for crop art, K-12, fine art, baking, needlework and more; guest services; public safety; coordination of Kickoff to Summer at the Fair in May and Minnesota Beef Expo in October; thousands of staff members; and more.

Other Society News

In other business at the annual meeting, Gordy Toenges of Alden, Minn., was elected president of the Society. Carol Schumann of Zumbrota, Minn., was elected for a three-year term to fill Toenges’ manager position of the Society’s first district. Sara Donaldson of Minneapolis was re-elected to a two-year term as State Fair board vice president representing the Society’s fifth regional district. Gail Johnson of Anoka and Kirk Peysar of Aitkin were each re-elected to three-year terms representing the Society’s third and sixth districts respectively.

Retired Board President Wally Wichmann of Batalon, Minn., was elected to honorary life membership in the Society. He was elected to the State Fair’s board of managers in 2010 and has been president since 2024. He served on the Lyon County Fair Board from 1974 through 2022 and is currently on the Lyon County Fair Rodeo Committee. Prior to joining the State Fair board, he was a member of the Minnesota Federation of County Fairs (MFCF). He is retired from farming and now works as a DEKALB^® seed corn salesman and volunteers at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Balaton. Over the years, Wichmann has received numerous awards, including the Distinguished Service Award and Lifetime Membership Award from the MFCF, Farm Family of the Year from University of Minnesota Extension Service, Minnesota & Lyon County Ag Pollution Control Systems Award, and the 2014 Heritage Award from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions in recognition of his service to fairs and his community. Wichmann has visited every county fair in Minnesota.

The State Agricultural Society is made up of delegates from each of the state’s county fairs, plus representatives of more than 40 statewide associations representing agriculture, horticulture and education. The Society is charged exclusively with the production of the annual Minnesota State Fair and management of the historic 322-acre State Fairgrounds.