MPR at the Minnesota State Fair
Minnesota Public Radio is back in a big way at this year’s Minnesota State Fair. Join MPR News, The Current, and YourClassical MPR at the Great Minnesota Get-Together, August 21 through September 1, 2025. We’ll be holding down our usual spot, near Judson and Nelson, with lots of fun and festivities to be had all day, every day.
Swing by for a spin on our now-famous Big Wheel (everyone’s a winner!) and browse our fresh collection of brand-new merchandise. You won’t want to miss this year’s limited-edition MPR tote bag, designed by local artist, Katelyn Clemons, which can be yours with a one-time donation of $10 or more or a sustaining donation of $3 per month. New this year: get your hands on a Minnesota bird water bottle for a one-time gift of $20 or more or a sustaining donation of $5 per month.
Friday, August 29 is MPR Day at Dan Patch Park. We’ll have performances from Mae Simpson, Colin Bracewell, and more on the Dan Patch stage. MPR and our partners will host activities and giveaways, too!
Come by and say hi, grab some gear and soak up the immaculate Minnesota State Fair vibes with Minnesota Public Radio! We can’t wait to see you at the fair!
2025 Camp MPR Stage Performance Schedule (subject to change):
Thursday, August 21, 2025
10:30 a.m. – The Early Risers Podcast – Early Risers is a podcast from Little Moments Count and MPR.
12:00 p.m. - Live broadcast of Minnesota Now with Nina Moini – Join host Nina Moini for a live broadcast of Minnesota Now on the first day of the Minnesota State Fair.
1:30 p.m. – YourClassical presents Saturday Cinema Movie Quiz at the State Fair with Lynne Warfel - Saturday Cinema returns to the Fair with a quiz show. Win prizes and show off your classic film knowledge with host Lynne Warfel.
3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. – The Current presents Faith Boblett - Faith Boblett is a Minneapolis based singer-songwriter with roots in northern Minnesota, and was named one of 2018’s Best New Bands by First Avenue.
Friday, August 22, 2025
11:00 a.m. – TPT and MPR News present Almanac Live at the State Fair – TPT’s Almanac returns to the MPR Booth for a live taping of the renowned local Public Television show. Expect politics, weather, art, music and more.
1:30 p.m. – Sahan Community Live
3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. – The Current’s Jessica Paxton live broadcast from the booth w/ performance TBD
Saturday, August 23, 2025
11:00 a.m. – Rock the Cradle pop-up featuring The Jolly Pops - Bring your whole family by the MPR booth for a morning of kid friendly programing. The Jolly Pops will be playing some fun kid-focused music.
1:30 p.m. – Speak MPLS
3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. – The Current’s Music On-A-Stick Pre-Party Live Broadcast with Zach McCormick – Stop by the MPR booth before heading to the grandstand for The Current’s Minnesota Music On-A-Stick show.
5:00 p.m. - The Current's Music On-A-Stick Show 2025 at the State Fair Grandstand - Atmosphere & Friends: Minnesota featuring Atmosphere, Cypress Hill, Lupe Fiasco, The Pharcyde, and DJ Abilities.
Sunday, August 24, 2025
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. – The Current's Bill DeVille live broadcast from the booth with performance TBD.
3:30 p.m. – Native News, Finding Manoomin – a discussion about the Native News documentary about wild rice harvesting in Minnesota.
5:00 p.m. –The Current presents Joe Rainey
Monday, August 25, 2025
10:30 a.m. – Minnesota Now “Out to Lunch” – Minnesota Now host Nina Moini gets to know notable guests over a delicious meal.
12:00 p.m. – Annual State Fair Weather Quiz with Mark Seeley, hosted by Cathy Wurzer - Join us for a chance to test your weather knowledge for the annual state fair weather quiz from iconic Minnesota climatologist Mark Seeley.
1:30 p.m. – YourClassical MPR’s Class Notes presents Titambe - Titambe is a powerful, vibrant West African dance ensemble based in Minnesota. They specialize in West African traditional culture and aesthetic, educational and professional presentation of dance, music, instruments and folklore.
3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – The Current's Morning Show, Live in the Afternoon with Jill Riley and Nilufer Arsala
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
10:30 a.m. – MPR News: Ask A Bookseller – MPR News host Emily Bright talks with booksellers from Duluth, Austin and St. Paul about their most exciting summer read recommendations and what books they’re excited about for the fall.
12:00 p.m. – TruArts Speaks
1:30 p.m. – YourClassical MPR’s Class Notes presents Steam Machine - Steam Machine is a music and dance ensemble that performs old-time and bluegrass music.
3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – The Current's Morning Show, live in the afternoon, with Jill Riley and Nilufer Arsala
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
10:00 a.m. – WFNU Live at the Fair
12:00 p.m. – MPR News Weather Team Live – Come meet MPR meteorologists Paul Huttner, Sven Sundgaard and Mandy Thalhuber as they discuss the year’s weather news and the changing art and science of meteorology.
1:30 p.m. – YourClassical MPR’s Class Notes presents Box Cat Music - Box Cat Music is a songwriting duo made up of Rob, a self-taught guitarist, pianist and songwriter; and Elise, a classically trained cellist, who also sings and plays percussion. Together, they create customized songs for a wide variety of occasions.
3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – The Current's Morning Show, live in the afternoon, with Jill Riley and Nilufer Arsala
Thursday, August 28, 2025
10:00 a.m. – A Low-Stakes Debate with MPR News – What can civil debate sound like? We’ll try to find out by asking a panel of political opposites to debate anything but politics! Republican politico Amy Koch and union leader/progressive activist Javier Morillo will debate some fair-themed topics. They are two of the co-hosts of the “Wrong About Everything” podcast.
12:00 p.m. – Live broadcast of Minnesota Now with Nina Moini – Join host Nina Moini for a live broadcast of Minnesota Now at the Minnesota State Fair.
1:30 p.m. – YourClassical MPR presents the Minnesota Opera at the Fair – Come listen to Minnesota Opera perform excerpts from opera favorites live at the State Fair.
3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – The Current's Morning Show, live in the afternoon, with Jill Riley and Nilufer Arsala
Friday, August 29 – 2025 MPR Day (ALL PROGRAMING LIVE IN DAN PATCH PARK)
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Marketplace’s David Brancaccio with Tom Crann live on MPR News – David Brancaccio has been covering American business news for decades. As the host of Marketplace Morning Report, he makes the important connection between the Wall Street numbers to listeners communities and pocketbooks. He talks with MPR host Tom Crann about the business of journalism and public radio in 2025.
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Danger Boat & Minnesota Humanities Center present Sketches of Minnesota – Join the comedians at Danger Boat Productions alongside the Minnesota Humanities Center for a show inspired by the statewide Sketches of Minnesota tour. This live improv/sketch performance springs from real conversations with residents of our great state. It’s an improv show all about what makes Minnesotans tick — our quirks, shared challenges and big hopes for the future.
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – YourClassical MPR presents Performance Today
Come celebrate Performance Today along with new host Val Kahler and retiring host Fred Child. They will interview Minneapolis native Evren Ozel who recently took third place in Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, and we will have a special music performance from a brass quintet featuring members of the Minnesota Orchestra.
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. – The Current presents Colin Bracewell, hosted by Mac Wilson – Minneapolis-based, Canada-bred songwriter and producer Colin Bracewell is paving his own fresh path within the Midwest music scene. Releasing his debut EP in March of 2024, Bracewell collaborated with Minnesota-based bands Bad Bad Hats and Remo Drive, resulting in a catchy blend of indie-rock and intimate ballads.
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – The Current presents Mae Simpson, hosted by Mac Wilson – Mae Simpson led by her powerful vocals and magnetic stage presence. The Minneapolis-based singer songwriter weaves elements of funk, soul, pop, rock and country into her sound. The band has released two EPs, “Feel It Comin’” in 2018 and “Did You Make It Back” in 2020. Mae released their Debut album “Chandelier & Bloom” in September 2023.
Saturday, August 30, 2025
11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. – Radio Heartland presents Good Morning Bedlam – Good Morning Bedlam is a folk-rock duo from Minneapolis. Winners of first-place title at the John Hartford Memorial Festival Band Competition, and finalists at the NWSS Band Competition, GMB has played at festivals alongside artists such as Shakey Graves, Jason Isbell, Trampled By Turtles and others.
3:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. – The Current presents Aby Wolf – Aby Wolf is a Minneapolis-based vocalist, music maker and passionate collaborator with an elastic skillset. Whether writing vocal arrangements, fulfilling commissions or performing in clubs, theaters and schools from Brainerd to Bratislava to Beijing, Aby brings a palpable element of joy to whatever endeavor she pursues.
Sunday, August 31, 2025
11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. – YourClassical MPR’s Class Notes presents Siama’s Congo Roots – Siama’s Congo Roots is a duo featuring music from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa. The music features guitar, vocals, and various percussion instruments from DR Congo.
3:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. – The Current presents Humbird – Inspired by the crystalline chill of the north country she calls home in Minnesota, Humbird combines a wintry longing with the warmth of a familiar folktale. Humbird’s music moves between experimental folk and environmental Americana to embrace the unexpected.
Monday, September 1, 2025
11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. – The Current presents Room3 – Room3 is a jazz fusion wildcard rooted in tradition yet driven by experimentation. Room3 has performed consistently at venues across the Twin Cities, from The Dakota Jazz Club to the First Avenue Mainroom, for over two years, and they were recently selected as one of First Avenue’s “Best New Bands of 2024.”
3:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. – The Current presents Mayyadda – Mayyadda is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer from Minneapolis. With an eclectic mix of neo-soul vocals, folksy guitar, pop-style piano with trap beats sprinkled in for flavor, she likes to refer to her genre as “BlackGirlMagic.”
2025 MPR Day sponsors:
Official Minnesota State Fair Resources
Official web site for the Minnesota State Fair
State Fairground map for reference
Official fair finder to locate food, booths, shops