Open Skating at the ASA

Winter is approaching, but the good news is that open skating is starting at the All Seasons Arena. The first day of open skating will be Wednesday, November 11th from noon to 2pm. Saturday the 14th and Sunday the 15th will also be open to skate from 1 to 3pm.
If you don’t own you own skates, don’t fret! We offer skate rentals and skate sharpening for only $2.oo per pair.

The open skating schedule will be posted soon on the Minot Rec Commission Calendar. For further questions about open skating call (701) 857-4730.
Above is a picture of the NDSF grounds crew putting in the lines for the hockey rink. Did you know they were made out of a type of paper??

Happy Halloween from the State Fair Staff

All work and no play makes for a grumpy State Fair staff. Therefore we thought it to be pretty important to create a Halloween Monster Mash - Up from Oriental Trading Company. Click on NDSF Monster Mash to check out our staff do the Monster Mash in honor of Halloween. From our staff to yours Happy Halloween!

Miss Rodeo North Dakota 2010

The North Dakota State Fair would like to congratulate Ashley Geisenger of Bottineau, ND, our 2009 Miss Rodeo Queen. She was crowned Miss Congeniality at the Miss Rodeo North Dakota 2010 competition on Sunday at the Ys Men’s PRCA Badlands Circuit Finals.

Tiffany Kuntz of Bismarck, took the title. The current Miss Rodeo, Jessinta Hammer, of Kathryn, will reign for the remainder of this year until Kuntz takes her place next year. The first runner-up is Samantha Stanke, Miss Rodeo North Dakota Winter Show, West Fargo. Sadie Wardner, Miss Rodeo Mandan, Coleharbor, won the written test.

The Miss Rodeo pageants continue to be a great way for people to stay involved in the western way of life and for rodeo enthusiasts to come together.

Y’s Mens Rodeo Recap

If you didn’t make it to the Rodeo last night, it’s still not too late to get in on the action. Today from 10am to 8pm in the Upper Attrium of the State Fair Center is the Badlands Cowboy Christmas. Be sure to stop by to get your Tough Enough To Wear Pink t-shirts, so you can sport them tonight. The pre-show and the rodeo will begin at 6:30pm. If you haven’t bought your tickets yet you can still purchase them at the Y’s Mens booth in the Dakota Square Mall, by calling their ticket line (701) 852-5577, or you can purchase them in the front lobby of the State Fair Center starting at 5pm.

Tough Enough to Wear Pink gear for sale:

T-shirt: $10.00

Women’s Cut: $15.00

Koozie: $3.00

Bracelet: $2.00
Hats: $15.00

Keep your eye on our Facebook page today for your chance to win rodeo tickets. If you are the first to answer our trivia question correctlly you’ll be the lucky winner! For more information about the Y's Mens or other State Fair Center events click here.

Y's Men's Presents Business After Hours

The Y's Men's are showing some country hospitality again by hosting the October Chamber Business After Hours at the State Fair Center. The event takes place on Wednesday, October 7th from 5pm - 7pm. There will be dinner, drinks and tons of door prizes! The cost is $5 at the door and the event will take place in the Lower Atrium. Don't miss out on this great networking event!

Grandstand Update from the Boss

Ever since the concluding fireworks of the 2009 North Dakota State Fair, the staff and grounds have been a flurry of activity.   The salvaging of some elements and demolition of the balance of the grandstand was all finished in short order.  Driving the pilings, excavating and beginning the concrete work is all currently underway.   The North bleacher section was left intact to accommodate the Nodak Racing schedule, which closed out the season with races as part of the  Labor Day weekend Motor Magic event.

The bids for the third bid group are being opened on September 10, 2009.   This being the biggest of the bid groups for the grandstand project will provide a great measure for keeping the project on budget.   The grandstand will include 7,082 seats under a roof with 8,000  general admission standing between the grandstand and stage.   The grandstand will feature some 180 toilet fixtures, 22,000 sq ft of spacious concourses, concession areas, and an upscale  pub area with an indoor/outdoor capacity of 450.   The state fair board recently named the new pub “The Carousel”.   The Carousel, along with the restrooms that service it will be heated and air-conditioned for year round use. 

The grand opening will be Friday July 23, 2010.  The entertainment lineup for the grandstand’s inaugural season is currently being negotiated, and I assure you it will be worthy of this great addition to your State Fair.

- Bob Wagoner, NDSF General Manager

Let's talk Rodeo!

The Minot Y's Men's Rodeo is only 1 week away but there are still plenty of tickets left. In their 55th year and 3rd year as being a PRCA Rodeo the Y's Men are bringing out the big guns. From Mutton bustin to Ranch Rodeo, Barrel Racing and Cowboy Christmas there's something for everyone to get excited about. They are also bringing in some big names. The Announcer will be 8-time PRCA Announcer of the Year, 21-time WNFR Announcer, PRCA Hall of Fame and Cowboy Hall of Fame inductee Mr. Bob Tallman. The Barrelman will be 5-time PRCA Comedy Act of the Year, 4-time WNFR Barrelman and 1-time Coors Man of the Year Mr. Troy Lerwill.