With your involvement, the Minnesota State Fair Foundation (501)(c)(3) preserves and improves the historic Minnesota State Fair buildings and grounds, and supports State Fair agricultural, scientific and educational experiences.

1265 Snelling Avenue North
Saint Paul, MN 55108
info@msffoundation.org
(651) 288-4323

Site Map

Educational Enrichment

Community partners and donors support the educational mandate of the State Fair through this program area. Such projects advance the overriding purpose of the Minnesota State Fair as expressed in the 1911 Agricultural Society creed:

The State Fair is a mirror of Minnesota greatness, a school for her citizens, and a place where all are welcome, entertained and experience the results of the best thought and effort in all lines of endeavor.

The State Fair gives visitors learning experiences in areas like agriculture, history, horticulture, science, industry, and art. The Foundation invites inquiries regarding community partnerships.

Gifts of any amount may be restricted to this program area.

PROJECTS UNDERWAY

Minnesota Historical Society

History Walking and Cell Phone Tour
Presented in partnership with the Minnesota Historical Society, the History Walking Tour is a great way to learn about State Fair favorites while exploring all corners of the grounds on this self-guided tour. Download the tour brochure and complete the tour year-round.

Alphabet Forest

We continue our partnership with Target and local author/illustrator Debra Frasier to present the Alphabet Forest at the Minnesota State Fair. Guests are invited to participate in a variety of free vocabulary-building and educational activities. Click here to learn more.

PROJECTS COMPLETED

Many of the Foundation’s educational projects are done in partnership. For example, we have served as headquarters for a variety of authors and for special gallery exhibitions, and have produced self-guided tours of the fairgrounds (History Walking Tour and Garden Tours).

 

 

State Fair Story

“My first memories of the fair are watching my dad show his horse. When I was in 4th grade I showed my first horse – a few years later I won a blue ribbon. I'll never forget how happy I was and my dad's pride.

Walking my horse from the barn to the Coliseum on the deserted streets and watching the fair 'wake up' was my favorite part of the day. I felt like I had the fair to myself.

My family returns to a horse show every year. We sit in the same section my dad sat in all those years ago when he watched me win my blue ribbon. The ribbon is faded after all these years, but my memory of that day is as if it happened yesterday.”

- Sue Olson
State Fair Fan