If you don't want to wait all the way until late August to get a little taste of the Minnesota State Fair, you're in luck. Event organizers just announced the Kickoff To Summer At The Fair event for the 2023 season.

The event happens around the same time each year so it wasn't a huge surprise but it's still a welcome one as we all look forward to the summertime! This year, the event will happen from Thursday, May 25th through the 28th.

So what exactly does this entail? The event brings more than thirty vendors to the fairgrounds, live music to a few of the stages, some attractions and activities, and the like. It's like the Minnesota State Fair but on a much smaller level.

Parking is free but you do need to purchase a ticket to the event. Tickets will be going on sale to the general public in April but an exact date has not been given just yet. Stay tuned, as we will keep you updated when the event organizers do announce that date.

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This is the third year of the event but there are a handful of new additions that separate it from the previous two years. The most important thing to note is that the event will have limited attendance this year. Event organizers say this will help make the event extra-special, taking place from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on May 25th and 26th and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the 27th and the 28th.

Also new this year is a 5K race! The race will take place that Saturday, May 27th, at 9 a.m. It is called the Milk Run 5K race. There will be other new activities at the event this year but those have not been announced just yet.

Another change to the event this year is that there is no lottery process like years prior. Instead, you can purchase tickets right when they go on sale. There's about two-hundred days left until the fair so this is the best way to get your fix until then!

This news comes shortly after another announcement from the Minnesota State Fair: ticket prices will be going up this year due to inflation and rising security costs. They are at a discounted price until early February so you can still get a cheaper ticket as we speak if you are planning on going.

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