FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota State Fair is several months away, but it’s celebrating a new attraction already.

The Fair is opening the new AgStar Arena, a 27,000-square-foot horse and livestock judging facility. After a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday morning, the Minnesota Horse Expo will host the arena’s first event, Stallion Presentations.

The AgStar Arena is on Judson Avenue next to the Horse Barn. It replaces the wooden 1960s-era Judging Arena and Horse Annex, which was demolished last fall. It will be used during the fair for 4-H, FFA and open-class exhibitions, and for equine and livestock shows at other times.

The new arena was funded partly through a gift from AgStar Financial Services.

The 2012 Great Minnesota Get-Together opens Aug. 23.

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