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Accessibility Improvements on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds

Celebrating 20 years of

Improving the fairgrounds environment to be universally accessible, green and welcoming for all

Foundation supporters have made an impact in making the fairgrounds more accessible and a better experience for everyone who visits, from improvements to the fairgrounds and accommodations for fair guests, to supporting projects and helping the fairgrounds open its gates to additional guests.

ASL interpreter on stage during Hmong Minnesota Day in Dan Patch Park. Courtesy of Andrew L. Xiong Photography.

“As with many Minnesotans, my love for the Minnesota State Fair started with family visits as a child. My passion for accessibility was developed during my 40-year career as a ticketing professional, with my last 25 years being at our state fair.

As our population ages and people continue to visit the fair accessibility will become more and more important. I am happy to be able to donate so that Fair visits can continue in the future.

If your passion isn’t accessibility, please look at the Foundation website for other initiatives which may be more personal for you. There are many ways that you can assist our state fair in being one of the greatest in the world.” -Gail Anderson, retired Minnesota State Fair employee and supporter of the Minnesota State Fair Foundation

Endowments supporting access to and accessibility of the State Fair

A handful of endowments and planned gifts set up through the Minnesota Fair Foundation benefit the Minnesota State Fair’s efforts to improve the fairgrounds environment to be universally accessible, green and welcoming for all.

Ginny Hubbard Fund for Access and Accessibility

This fund has supported projects and programs for people who would not otherwise be able to attend the fair as well as accessibility improvements on the fairgrounds. In 2021, the fund supported the hiring of the State Fair’s first seasonal Accessibility Coordinator. This new staff person is dedicated to ensuring the fair and the fairgrounds comfortable and enriching experience for people of all abilities.

“The Minnesota State Fair is something that every Minnesotan should experience and I am happy to be able to work with the Foundation to make sure that anyone that wants to visit the Fair is able to regardless of their circumstances or physical barriers.” -Ginny Morris, Chairwoman- Hubbard Radio and supporter of the Minnesota State Fair Foundation

Jack and Leila Nessen Fund for Accessibility

This fund, established in 2021, will be used to improve the experiences of people with disabilities on the fairgrounds and during the Minnesota State Fair. These funds will be used to adjust, modify, or improve facilities, enhance programming and increase accessibility for people with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities.

Improvements to the fairgrounds

Sidewalk repair and replacement

During the 2021 fair, over 2,000 Friends of the Fair voted for how the inaugural Friends of the Fair Special Project Grant should be used. The winning program areas Fairgrounds Environment, funding the replacement of a stretch of deteriorated and damaged sidewalk, helping to make the fairgrounds more accessible and a better experience for everyone who visits. Additional funds were raised for this project, thanks to Give to the Max Day supporters.

Adding seating to the fairgrounds

Each year, donors help the Foundation add seating to the fairgrounds through the personalized bench and table program. Since the beginning of the program, we have added over 1,500 benches for fair guests to rest and enjoy.

Helpful Resources and Accommodations

Roving ASL Interpreters during the Fair

Every day of the State Fair, teams of American Sign Language interpreters provided interpreting services for guests attending scheduled programs, including the History-on-a-Schtick, DNR’s Raptor Displays and Flying Demonstrations, All-Star Stunt Dogs Splash, Timberworks Lumberjack Show, Thank a Farmer Magic Show, and the Looking Inside the Hive program in the Agriculture Horticulture Building. On Labor Day, a team of interpreters also helped with the daylong Hmong Minnesota Day event at Dan Patch Park. In between performances and on request, interpreters assisted guests as needed throughout the fairgrounds.

The State Fair’s Roving Interpreters program is a partnership with the CATIE Center at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, which helped to recruit and coordinate interpreters as part of a unique training and experience opportunity for teams of student, novice and certified interpreters. 2021’s program was supported with funding from the Minnesota State Fair Foundation.

Accessibility Guide Provides Helpful Resources

The Minnesota State Fair offers a variety of services so that fair guests can make the most of their visit to the 12 best days of summer. Visit the accessibility guide online to learn about:

  • Electric Mobility Scooters, Strollers, Wagons and Wheelchairs 
  • Transportation & Parking
  • ASL Interpreting Services
  • Grandstand Shows
  • Sensory-Friendly Visits
  • Service Animals
  • Mighty Midway & Kidway
  • Dining Guide
  • Other Services (Large Print Daily Schedules and Maps)

Written by:
Jessica Luther
Published on:
October 5, 2019

Categories: Anniversary

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Minnesota State Fair Foundation
1265 Snelling Avenue North
Saint Paul, MN 55108

651-288-4327
Fax: 651-632-2622
info@msffoundation.org

Tax ID: 41-2013696

 

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