Nearly 112K Attend State Fair's 1st Day

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It wasn't quite a record-breaker, but it was reasonably close.

The Minnesota State Fair said 111,902 people attended the first day of the Great Minnesota Get-Together, which was good enough to mark the third-largest opening day in fair history.

The title for biggest opening day on record goes to 2010's 119,145 attendees.

Many at the fair on Thursday reported slow traffic getting in and difficulties with parking. Fair officials said that there would be more park and ride lots available during the weekends, which should alleviate some congestion.

However, the fair also said that rush hour traffic on Thursday and Friday can compound the perception of bad traffic near the fairgrounds.

On Friday, there was the additional issue of a traffic light that was out on Snelling Avenue near the fair.