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Minnesota State Fair Foundation

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Red Foundation bench

Benches

The deadline to order a personalized bench to be placed at the 2022 Minnesota State Fair has passed (June 1, 2022). Benches ordered after June 1, 2022, will be placed at the 2023 Minnesota State Fair.

Your personalized bench awaits! Add your story to the fairgrounds today.

“The Minnesota State Fair bench is a perfect way to celebrate someone. When someone, like in our situation, passes away you want to find more positive things to remember them, something that they loved to do that you can keep sharing with them moving forward.” 

Customized Bench Text
You can personalize the back of one 8-foot bench with 14 characters including spaces.

We invite business names or logos to be included on the plaque. However, text on the backrest may not include business names or advocacy messages. The Minnesota State Fair Foundation reserves the right to edit or reject submissions. To ensure accuracy, a certificate will be mailed for confirmation. 

The deadline to have a bench placed in 2022 was June 1, 2022. Benches ordered after June 1, 2022 will be placed at the 2023 Minnesota State Fair.

Customized Plaque Text
A 8.5″ x 7″ tamper-proof plaque can also be affixed to the back of the bench for no additional charge. Plaques have room for five lines of text with up to 21 characters, including spaces, in each line. Any photos for the plaque should be emailed to info@msffoundation.org.

Bench Colors and Location
Benches are placed in one of four zones on the fairgrounds:

A close up of a map of bench locations on the fairgrounds
A map of bench locations by color
  • Blue – Area surrounding the Grandstand – includes Dan Patch Park
  • Green – North fairgrounds – includes Little Farm Hands and Baldwin Park
  • Red – Historic livestock area – includes all barns, Warner Coliseum and CHS Miracle of Birth Center
  • Yellow – Southeast fairgrounds – includes Agriculture Horticulture Building, International Bazaar, Bandshell and J.V. Bailey House

Frequently Asked Questions (click drop down)

What is customizable on the bench?

You can personalize the back of one 8-foot bench with 14 characters including spaces, plus a 8.5” x 7” plaque can be added.

Plaques have room for five lines of text with up to 21 characters, including spaces, in each line to allow for larger font. Additional wording and photos are okay with the understanding the font will be smaller. Any photos for the plaque should be emailed to info@msffoundation.org.

Can I add an image to the plaque?

Yes, you can add an image or logo to the plaque. Any photos for the plaque should be emailed to info@msffoundation.org.

Image/Emoji characters like hearts and smiley faces can be included in the text of the plaque. Please note: In the donation form, type in (heart) or (smiley face) instead of using the emoji.

Can I promote my business or cause with a personalized bench?

We invite business names or logos to be included on the plaque. However, text on the bench may not include business names or advocacy messages. The Minnesota State Fair Foundation reserves the right to edit or reject submissions.

When will my bench be placed on the fairgrounds?

Bench orders received by June 1, 2022 will be placed on the fairgrounds for the 2022 fair. Recognition benches are stored during the winter months and placed annually before the State Fair.

Where will my bench be placed?

You select the color of the bench (red, blue, green or yellow), which determines placement on the fairgrounds:

  • Red – Historic livestock area – includes all barns, Warner Coliseum and CHS Miracle of Birth Center
  • Blue – Area surrounding the Grandstand – includes Dan Patch Park
  • Green – North fairgrounds – includes Little Farm Hands and Baldwin Park
  • Yellow – Southeast fairgrounds – includes Agriculture Horticulture Building, International Bazaar, Bandshell and J.V. Bailey House
Can I request where my bench is placed?

With the growth of the recognition bench program over the last several years, we, unfortunately, can no longer accept specific location requests for benches. All benches are GPS located prior to the State Fair and the location can be found by calling the Foundation or stopping by our office at the J.V. Bailey House during the fair.

How long will my bench be in use by the Minnesota State Fair?

Recognition benches are stored during the winter months and placed within their color zone on the fairgrounds annually before the State Fair. Benches are taken out of rotation when they are deemed unsafe or damaged.

Can I keep my bench once it is deemed unsafe or removed from the fairgrounds?
Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate this request.

What if my bench is damaged?

Benches are covered by a five-year limited warranty. Please contact us at info@msffoundation.org for more information.

I don’t know what I want my bench or plaque to say yet, when do I need to provide that information by?

Bench orders and information must be received by June 1, 2022 to guarantee placement at the 2022 State Fair.

Is my contribution tax-deductible?

This contribution is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Can I make a donation for a personalized bench with a donor-advised fund or stock gift?

Yes! Please notify us of your intent by emailing us or by sending in a printed copy of the 2023 Bench Form.

The Minnesota State Fair Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and your gift may be tax-deductible as a charitable contribution.

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The Minnesota State Fair Foundation reserves the right to edit or reject submissions. To ensure accuracy, a certificate will be mailed for confirmation.

The forms for Benches and Tables can also be downloaded and mailed to us.

Bench Form 2023 ($2,500) The deadline to have a bench placed in 2022 was June 1, 2022. Benches ordered after June 1, 2022 will be placed at the 2023 Minnesota State Fair.

Table Form 2023 ($5,000) The deadline to have a table placed in 2022 was June 1, 2022. Tables ordered after June 1, 2022 will be placed at the 2023 Minnesota State Fair.

Would you like to personalize a bench or table with a gift of stock? Learn More

For additional questions, please contact us at 651-288-4325.

Donations to program areas and for benches and tables are not part of the Friends of the Fair program and are fully tax-deductible.

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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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