Best Older Attractions At The Minnesota State Fair
Ye Old Mill
Located On Clough St. & Judson Ave.
Built in 1913, this is the oldest ride on the fairgrounds. Why some may consider this a tunnel of love others look to it as a manufactured river ride and a place to escape from the sun with their family.
Progress Center
Located on Cosgrove St. and Randall Ave.
Step in this building now and it screams, "Future! Future! Future!" You would never expect this place to be one of two oldest on the fairgrounds, but it is. This building and the Arts Center were both built in 1907. Today, the Progress Center is home to the Eco Experience, which teaches about renewable energy and all things green to a whole new generation.
Hamline Dining Hall
Located on north side of Dan Patch between Underwood/Cooper
Hamline Dining Hall has been at the fair for 113 years! I'd venture to say they've served millions of home-style meals since its opening in 1897. They have been at the current location since 1947 (or earlier). Hamline is one of three church dining halls remaining -- Salem and Epiphany are the other two.
Corn Competition/Crop Art
Located in the Ag Building on Judson Ave. and Underwood St.
Have you ever seen fine art made from seeds and corn? Well you can in the Agriculture/Horticulture Building. The year 2010 is the 100th Anniversary of the corn competition which takes place in Farm Crop Hall. You've got to see some of the amazing Ag art that has been going on for a century here and keeps bringing people back.
Cattle Barn/Livestock Competitions
Located on Judson Ave. between Stevens and Liggett Streets
This is where it all started! The fair was basically created as a place to show off the best livestock in the land and show the hearty bunch of animals that were bred in Minnesota. The Cattle Barn, which opened in 1921, is still drawing crowds that want to see (and smell) the cows.
Tilt-A-Whirl
Location: Midway and Kidway
This chaotic ride tilts and twirls people in the Mighty Midway and Kidway at the fair. It's popular at carnivals and amusement parks everywhere, but did you know it was invented right here in Minnesota? Yep, back in 1926 this ride took off with the Sellner Family in Faribault, Minn. It was made of wood back then, but moved on to metal and ride-lovers have been whirling ever since.
Fine Arts Competition
Located on Randall Ave. and Cosgrove St.
Here you'll find paintings that look like photographs, and sculptures that will have you wondering how the artist made it. The Fine Arts Competition has been happening since 1911, and is nearly as old as the building that houses it (the Fine Arts Center, mentioned above as being built in 1907).
Heritage Square
Located on Dan Patch Ave, past Liggett St.
Heritage Square is the place where history goes to gather. Take a trip way down memory lane and see a pioneer cabin (mid-1800s), the blacksmith shop (1937) and some cool train cars full of artifacts from the 1930s. You can also check out the Minnesota State Fair History Museum and some of the old ride components from the past state fairs.
The Grandstand
Located in center of fair near Carousel Park.
Think of all the different musical acts that have played here over the years: Bob Dylan, Christina Aguilera, New Kids on the Block, Alicia Keys, Brad Paisley, Rush, The Beach Boys and Dolly Parton, just to name a few. The Grandstand has changed a lot over the years, but one thing remains the same -- the talented musicians that come to share their music with Minnesotans.
J.V. Bailey House
Located on Cosgrove St., across from Space Tower
This was originally greenhouse superintendents and groundskeepers house. Built in 1911, but then restored in 2006 and named for J.V. Bailey, the fair's Superintendent of Horticulture in the 30s. Now you can check out old photographs and history from the fair inside.
