Minnesota State Fair

Plan to visit us at the Minnesota State Fair for live broadcasts, exclusive events, member activities, and special merchandise! Our MPR Membership team has a special “Recharge” station for you to take a break and gather your energy for more fun at the fair.

MPR Fair Calendar

All activities are at our booth near the corner of Judson & Nelson unless otherwise noted. Schedule is subject to change.

Saturday, August 24

9:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon Rock The Cradle Pop Up!
Cut loose with The Current and Children’s Minnesota for a Rock the Cradle State Fair Pop-Up at the MPR booth. Kids and their grownups can start their day off right: shaking it on the dancefloor with Twinkle the Children’s Minnesota Mascot. Plus don’t miss the hula-hoops, art activities, and giant prize wheel!

1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Recorded for Broadcast
Tom Crann of MPR News hosts a “Meet the Candidate” conversation with Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders. Watch live at facebook.com/MPRNews. This will be broadcast at 2 p.m. on MPR News radio Sunday August 25, 2019.

3:00 - 7:00 p.m. LIVE Broadcast
Jade of The Current hosts an on-air shift from our booth. Join us at 4:30 p.m. for a live performance from Early Eyes.

Sunday, August 25

2:00 - 6:00 p.m. LIVE Broadcast
Mac Wilson of The Current hosts an on-air shift from our booth.

Monday, August 26

9:00 - 10:00 a.m. LIVE Broadcast
Kerri Miller of MPR News hosts Outside in MN. Summer in Minnesota is a special time because of all the lakes, trails, and state parks you can enjoy. Kerri explores Minnesota’s best outdoor spaces, join her for this conversation at the State Fair.

1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Call to Mind presents Hippocrates Cafe
Top Minnesota actors and musicians will perform works about mental health curated by Dr. Jon Hallberg, Medical Commentator on MPR News. Guests include Sun Mee Chomet, Mark Nelson, Mike Michel, and Jacqueline Ultan.

Tuesday, August 27

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Class Notes Artist performance
Steve Seel of Classical MPR hosts family-friendly Congolese music ensemble, Siama’s Congo Roots performing their Class Notes Artist program. Guests include Siama Matuzungidi, Dallas Johnson, Tim O’Keefe.

1:15 - 1:45 p.m. Classical Kids Storytime
Steve Seel and Valerie Kahler of Classical MPR perform live Classical Kids Storytime stories!

Wednesday, August 28

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon LIVE Broadcast
Angela Davis of MPR News sits down with St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey followed by a brief Q & A exclusively for the attending audience at our booth.

1:30 - 2:30 p.m. TBTL Live Podcast Taping
Luke Burbank and Andrew Walsh bring their long-running podcast Too Beautiful To Live to the MPR booth! They’ll be joined by guest Brandi Brown, a local comedian, blogger, and Minnesota State Fair enthusiast.

3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Recorded for future broadcast
Join MPR Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner for The Water Main Live! Paul moderates a panel discussion about the impacts of climate change on outdoor recreation in Minnesota. His guests will be polar explorer Ann Bancroft and University of Minnesota Extension editor Jesse Schomberg.

Thursday, August 29

9:00 - 11:00 a.m. LIVE National Broadcast
Joshua Johnson of NPR brings his national program “1A” to the Minnesota State Fair for two live hours heard around the nation. Governor Tim Walz joins Josua live at 9am.

12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m. Minnesota Opera performance
Melissa Ousley of Classical MPR hosts a special performance at our booth by members of the Minnesota Opera. They’ll perform classic popular opera selections and preview their upcoming season. This will only be for those in attendance, so don’t miss it!

MPR DAY Friday, August 30

Come on down to Dan Patch Park for MPR Day - a full day of activities, live broadcasts and specials just for public radio listeners and supporters, right in the heart of the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. MPR News, Classical MPR and The Current will present can’t-miss stage and broadcast programming, including a very special collaboration with NPR’s 1A and a community sing-along with Cantus. Our activity tent features information and opportunities provided by our sponsors, and we have special State Fair themed merchandise plus a members-only thank you gift. Get full details below, and join us at Dan Patch Park starting at 10:00 and tune in all day long on your favorite MPR station.

10:00 - 11:00 a.m. LIVE Broadcast
Tom Crann of MPR News hosts The Annual MPR State Fair Weather Quiz with Meteorologist/Climatologist Mark Seeley. Here’s how it works: You ask him a question about the weather…then he asks you a question about weather.

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon LIVE Broadcast
Angela Davis of MPR News interviews NPR’s Joshua Johnson, the host of “1A”, about his approach to journalism, the future of public broadcasting, and the importance of listening in our everyday lives. AND Tony! Toni! Toné!, an R&B group known for its hits in the 80s and 90s, will perform at the Minnesota State Fair. But before they do, they’ll join Angela Davis on stage to talk about some of their hits.

2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Bring the Sing!
Steve Staruch of Classical MPR hosts vocal ensemble Cantus for “ Bring the Sing” a community choral event. Presenting a songbook of popular chorale pieces, Bring The Sing invites everyone to join their voices together in celebration and harmony, no matter your skill level or familiarity with the music. It’s a beautiful way to connect with your fellow Minnesotans as you lift your voice in inspirational song. Open to all.

3:30 p.m. Recorded for future broadcast
Andrea Swensson of The Current introduces a performance from Shredders. This LIVE session will be recorded for The Local Show.

Saturday, August 31

3:00 - 7:00 p.m. LIVE Broadcast
Enjoy The Current live from our booth. Join us at 4:30 p.m. for a live performance from Dwynell Roland.

6:30 p.m. State Fair Grandstand: The Current’s Music On-A-Stick featuring Brandi Carlile with special guests Mavis Staples and Savannah Conley.

Sunday, September 1

2:00 - 6:00 p.m. LIVE Broadcast
Bill DeVille of The Current hosts an on-air shift from our booth.

Monday, September 2

12:00 noon - 3:00 p.m. Purple Current Karaoke
Sean McPherson of The Current hosts Purple Current Karaoke. Bring a Raspberry Beret and party like it’s 1999! We’ll provide the music, the lyrics and the mics, you provide the moves and the pipes! Open to everyone, all ages, all skill sets. Might not know it now, but baby, you’re a star!

Official Minnesota State Fair Resources

Minnesota State Fair official Web site
State Fairground map for reference
Official fair finder to locate food, booths, shops