Aug. 21 – Labor Day, Sept. 1, 2025
294 Days 18 Hours 7 Mins
The following information applies to facility rental at the State Fairgrounds during the non-fair time.
The facility rental includes one free setup day and one free teardown day immediately before and after the event. No business, sales, competition, etc. are permitted on setup and teardown days. Tables, chairs, trash, recycling, Wi-Fi, barricades, ticket sellers, parking attendants, on-duty police officers, electrical inspections, signage, IATSE labor, and other equipment and services are not included in the facility rental fee. Please see the current Event Rate Sheet for details.
There will be a full-time staff person on-site to oversee the venue and be the point of contact during the event. Depending on the size of the event, there may also be at least one event attendant on-site to maintain the restrooms, empty trash, clean spills, etc. Staff time will be charged to the event. Please see the current Event Rate Sheet for hourly labor rates.
Events may set up and tear down equipment on their own if they would like; otherwise we do have staff who can be hired at an additional cost. Please see the current Event Rate Sheet for hourly labor rates.
We have a list of approved caterers who are contracted to provide catering and bar service at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Each event makes arrangements directly with the selected approved caterer. A 15% privilege fee is due to the Minnesota State Fair. Please reach out to your event coordinator to see the most current list.
Our approved catering list includes vendors who are licensed to provide bar services on the fairgrounds. Each event makes arrangements directly with the selected approved caterer. Please reach out to your event coordinator to see the most current list.
We have a list of concessionaires that are licensed to sell food on the fairgrounds. We can also approve and license a new food truck to be at your event, provided we are made aware 30 days before the event and the concessionaire completes an application form and meets minimum criteria. State Fair staff will make arrangements with the selected food trucks. Events are not permitted to charge concessionaires to operate at their shows. A 20% privilege fee is due to the Minnesota State Fair from each concessionaire. Please reach out to your event coordinator to get the most current list of approved food truck vendors.
A licensed police officer is required for all events, and there is a four-hour minimum per officer. The total number of officers is up to the discretion of the Minnesota State Fair Chief of Police. Please see the current Event Rate Sheet for the hourly rate.
Free parking is available in State Fair lots or on fairgrounds streets. Events may not charge attendees for parking. Depending on the size of the event, parking lot attendants may be required, and the hourly cost will be charged to the event. Please see the current Event Rate Sheet for hourly labor rates.
Yes, we require all clients to provide a certificate of insurance (COI) for their event. Events may be able to purchase special event liability coverage through the State Fair’s group insurance policy. Please reach out to your event coordinator to see if your event may be covered.
Only the North End Event Center and the History & Heritage Center have built-in sounds systems, and these are included in the facility rental price. Screens and projectors are available to rent at an additional cost. Please discuss your audio/visual needs with your event coordinator. See the current Event Rate Sheet for pricing on all A/V equipment.
Depending on the type and size of your event, there may be additional expenses related to equipment, services and labor. Common additional fees include tables, chairs, trash, recycling, Wi-Fi, barricades, benches, ticket sellers & takers, on-duty police officers, parking attendants, electrical inspections, signage, and IATSE labor, among others. Please see a current Event Rate Sheet for pricing.
Resources such as the Facilities Guide, Event Concession & Catering Manual, Non-Fair Event Food & Beverage Concessionaire License Application and more can be found on the Facility Rental page of our website. Feel free to call us at 651-288-4400 or email events@mnstatefair.org.
