NPRA Championship Bull Riding

The toughest Mosbrucker bulls take on the finest riders in the state, July 27-28. Expect a great show with some of the best cowboys and stock in the west!

The bull riding action starts at 7 p.m. in the All Seasons Arena. All seating is general admission. Adult admission is $14, and children (7-12) admission is $6. Children ages 6 and under are free.

*Tickets go on sale March 25 and can be purchased on our web site, ndstatefair.com, or by calling (701) 857-7620. Tickets are also available during the Fair at the Grandstand, or at the State Fair Center Ticket Window on NPRA Championship Bull Riding days.

2010 Country Showpass Lineup

Big names and a brand new Grandstand will headline the 45th Annual North Dakota State Fair. Brooks and Dunn, Eric Church ft. The Band Perry, Darius Rucker and Sugarland will all be included on the 2010 Grandstand Showpass. Showpass tickets will go on-sale Thursday, March 25 at 8am.
Superstar duo Brooks & Dunn will be making a stop at the Fair during their final tour on Friday, July 23. Eric Church will round out the opening weekend of the Fair on Sunday, July 25 with opening act The Band Perry. Darius Rucker will take to the stage on Friday, July 30 and Sugarland will close out the 2010 State Fair on Saturday, July 31. 

The Grandstand Showpass will be comprised of seven nights of entertainment for $75 Standing Room or $85 Reserved Seating. 


2010 Lineup:
Friday, July 23 – Brooks and Dunn
Sunday, July 25 – Eric Church ft. The Band Perry
Monday, July 26 – Enduro Auto Race
Tuesday, July 27 – Demolition Derby
Wednesday, July 28 – Front Fenders and Collector’s Car Show
Friday, July 30 – Darius Rucker
Saturday, July 31 - Sugarland

Weddings at the North Dakota State Fair Center

The North Dakota State Fair recently attend the Fiancee Bridal Show in Minot, ND. We were surpised to find that many attendees didn't even realise they could rent out rooms at the State Fair Center! When in fact the Center is eqqipped to host almost any wedding of any size.
The North Dakota State Fair Center has four different rooms to choose from when planning your wedding and/or reception. The rooms include, the Upper Atrium, Flickertail Gardens, Theater, and the new Carousel.  With so many different options and versatility, we are sure to have to the perfect venue to fit the wedding of your dreams.
The NDSF Center is extremely affordable to rent, ranging from $325 to $600 per day. The Upper Atrium is even complete with seating for 250 guests. Otherwise, you can rent tables and chairs from our center for $1.50 per table and $.25 per chair.
An added benefit to booking your wedding in one of these venues, is the ability to use outside caterers. You may even have your family bring in food for the event. Our designated caterer for the State Fair Center is MSI. They offer a variety of meal options and will also provide a full cash bar at no extra charge.
For more information, please contact Dennis Voeller at (701) 857-7620.

State Fair Grandstand Hits the Half-way Mark

“You won’t need to bring your own chair to enjoy the concerts at the 2010 North Dakota State Fair!” was the comment provided by Jerry Iverson, Project Construction Manager, in regards to how the construction progress on the new Grandstand is moving along.

State Fair officials are excited to announce that the Grandstand is now more than 50% completed. Officials are optimistic that the Grandstand will be ready prior to July 23, the first day of the 2010 North Dakota State Fair. The new Grandstand will provide 7000 seats and over 170 toilets. It will provide handicap accessibility, more points of sale for concessions, a new pub and a larger more efficient ticket operation. The stadium is elevated to provide more than 50% greater visibility over the row in front. The improved lighting and larger-than-average seating spaces will be greatly appreciated by World of Outlaw fans, Nodak race fans and Fairgoers alike.

The great weather in November played a large role in keeping progress moving along. Also contributing to the speed of construction is that the Grandstand is being built as a "Construction Management Project." “Because the Grandstand must be complete by July 2010, we needed to take bids on the demolition and then the footings before it would be possible to have a complete set of plans ready for a general contractor bid. This gave us a two month advantage,” stated Iverson. The project now has 30 individual contracts directly with the State Fair. This has allowed the Fair to identify budget problems individually. Instead of having to rebid the entire project, Fair officials could identify the problem areas and make the necessary changes. This was especially evident when the revamped second electrical bid was $1.7M less.

The North Dakota State Fair wishes to again thank the hundreds of "Fair Friends" from all over North Dakota who made the new grandstand possible. The bright lights of the State Fair often over shadow the stories of kids, families, tourism and the promotion of agriculture. However the bright lights attract those who also learn about the true value of what our Fair does and what our citizens do. The North Dakota State Fair is a balance of bright lights, entertainment, education and the promotion of North Dakota.

The new Grandstand will indeed be a great show place for not only Minot but all of North Dakota. For more information and to view Grandstand construction photos visit http://www.ndstatefair.com/faqs/grandstand.asp The dates of the 2010 North Dakota State Fair are July 23-31, more information on the 2010 State Fair is available at http://www.ndstatefair.com/

Concessionaires

Interested In being a vendor at the Fair? Call the North Dakota State Fair Office and let us know you are interested.


There are three commercial buildings and outdoor spaces for a variety of 612 spaces. Outdoor space varies according to size and location, but an indoor 8 x 10 space is $350. All vendors need to have a signed license and one million dollar liability insurance. 50% of the space cost is required when the license is issued. Gate admission is not included in the rental cost.

Normally there are more applications for space than space available. The applications will be reviewed on a first come first serve basis. The North Dakota State Fair will exercise its best judgment in determining what is best for the Fair and its patrons.

For further information call (701) 857-7620.

State Fair Responds to Public Concerns

Recent events at the North Dakota State Fair have raised many questions within our community and state. As the State Fair’s acting manager, I want to directly address these concerns. I’ve been with the State Fair for the past thirty-five years and I’ve never known North Dakota to let our Fair down.  


Let me be clear: The North Dakota State Fair is deeply committed to bringing in the biggest names in entertainment. Our staff and board are unwavering in providing a concert line-up that is second to none. This was, of course, the driving push behind the construction of the Fair’s new grandstand. Countless individuals from across the state and community leaders made this project a reality. North Dakota taxpayers made an investment in this project and I can promise them that they will get a return on their investment.  


I can also assure all Fairgoers that we will do everything we can to ensure that our State Fair remains affordable. Due to our state’s small population it is important that Fairgoers visit more than once. The current show pass allows us to draw people back for second and third visits at a price that would normally be paid for only one concert ticket.  This is important to the Fair’s financial success. And we will continue to do all that we can to keep the Fair affordable to families.  

Affordability and top-notch entertainment are not mutually exclusive and neither is putting on a Fair that has something for everyone. Our State Fair’s roots are, like our state’s roots, in agriculture; they always will be. But staying true to our roots doesn’t mean that we cannot have the best in concerts, motor events, carnival rides, shows, food, vendors and exhibits. The work of putting on the best possible State Fair requires us to provide the best possible experience for all ages and for everyone across North Dakota.  


The State Fair Board deserves credit for laying out the vision that has resulted in the Fair’s success in recent years. That success has been the result of the hard work of a team of professionals, many who don’t receive the recognition, but who have made this vision a reality. From the Fair board to the office staff to the groundskeepers to our marketing team, ours has been, and will remain, a collaborative effort. The work of the Fair is bigger than any one person and everyone can be assured that our work to provide the finest, most affordable, event in the state and region will continue without interruption.  


Sincerely,

Renae Korslien 
Interim General Manager,  
North Dakota State Fair

North Dakota State Fair Receives Five International Awards

(Minot, ND) The North Dakota State Fair has received five first place Awards of Excellence from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) headquartered in Springfield, MO.
The North Dakota State Fair received a first place Agriculture Award in the Overall Program for Commercial Agricultural Exhibitors category and brought home three first place Communication Awards for its 2009 advertising campaign. First place awards received were for Color Newspaper Advertisement, Magazine Advertisement and Printed Promotional Material – Brochure / Flyer. The final awards won by the Fair included a first place Competitive Exhibits Award in the General Competitive Exhibit Display Photo and the Competitive Exhibits Award of Excellence, for the Fair’s overall entries in the Competitive Exhibits category.
The awards were presented during the 119th annual IAFE Convention held in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are a total of 13 Agriculture award categories, 15 Communication Awards and 10 Competitive Exhibits categories, each divided into 5 divisions based on attendance. The entries are evaluated and judged by a team of industry leaders, selected from the membership of the IAFE.

Pic of the Day

The North Dakota State Fair is always looking for fan photos of the Fair. By submitting your favorite photos to ashley@ndstatefair.com.com your picture could become one of our famous Pic of the Days. This means your snapshot will be published on our Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter accounts for other Fair fans to see. Make sure to include your name and where you are from when you send in your photos.


By submitting your photos you are giving The North Dakota State Fair rights to utilize your photo, which means your talent could land you a spot on the North Dakota State Fair website, in the newspaper, on a billboard, in a magazine or in a brochure. If we use your photograph to advertise the Fair you’ll even win NDSF Swag!

Submit your photos now and check back daily to see if you have won bragging rights as the State Fair photo of the day!

2009 NDSF Annual Meeting

On Wednesday, November 18th, the North Dakota State Fair welcomed 18 guests and 68 delegates to its Annual Meeting at the State Fair Center in Minot. Gary Knell, State Fair Board President, began the meeting with a short welcome on behalf of the City of Minot and by introducing the eight State Fair board members whom he serves alongside. The board members in attendance included Charles Meikle of Spiritwood, Lee Ann Karsky of Dickinson, Kandi Mikkelson of Minot, Neil Fleming of Cavalier, Dennis Wendel of LaMoure, Connie Hanson of Devils Lake, Butch Haugland of Ambrose and Kelly Hanson of Hannaford.

The annual report and audit were reviewed by State Fair Manager, Bob Wagoner. Wagoner also went over 2009 State Fair highlights and complimented the staff for their work on the record setting Fair. Wagoner predicts another successful Fair for 2010, which is scheduled for July 23 through July 31.

Each year the State Fair Board of Directors nominates individuals to receive the State Fair's highest level of honor and recognition by being chosen as a North Dakota State Fair Honorary Member. This year Senator Karen Krebsbach of Minot and Tim Clark of Fargo were both awarded this honor.

The State Fair is exceptionally grateful for Senator Krebsbach's on-going support of all things State Fair. Krebsbach led the charge helping rally support for the State funding of the Grandstand. Tim Clark served on the North Dakota State Fair Board for more than 16 years. Representing District 2, he took a special interest in keeping agriculture at the heart of the Fair.

Other business covered at the annual meeting included the re-election of three board members. Neil Fleming, Connie Hanson and Gary Knell will serve another term representing their districts. Jerry Iverson, former North Dakota State Fair Manager and current Grandstand Project Manager, was in attendance to provide an update on the grandstand construction progress. Iverson stated the exceptional weather has been the key attribute for keeping the project on schedule and within budget. Iverson also commented on the uniqueness of this project as a construction manager has been hired and 27 different bid requests have been utilized to ensure not only adherence to the budget but also ensure the completion by July 1, 2010.

Dates for the 2010 North Dakota State Fair are July 23-31. We’re hoping to announce our 2010 concert lineup in January! More information is available at www.ndstatefair.com.

American Music Awards

As you all may know, the American Music Awards were on ABC last night and some of the North Dakota State Fair’s talent were among the winners. Taylor Swift won many titles, unsurprisingly, but her big accomplishment was winning Artist of the Year and beating Michael Jackson in the process. The other titles she has under her belt include Country’s Favorite Album and Favorite Female Artist, Adult Contemporary Favorite Artist, and Pop Rock Favorite Female Artist. The group Gloriana had some glory of their own last night when they won the fan voted award, T-Mobile BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST.

Click HERE for the AMA's homepage.

Grandstand Photo Slideshow

State Farm's Gator Giveaway

Last month State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance gave away a child size John Deere Gator to Chasity Sevland of rural Granville.

Local State Fair Agents, Michael E. Braun and Kellie Thorman along side State Fair Manager Bob Wagoner were on hand to present Chasity's daughters Taylor, age 10 and Hunter, age 4 with her prize.

As a part of their sponsorship at the 2010 North Dakota State Fair they not only sponsored the Aussie Kingdom but they also manned a very successful commercial booth where they promoted their products and services as well as allowed individuals to register for the gator.

Grand time for Grandstand!

The Grandstand constuction remains to be on schedule on going well, the Minot Daily reported last Friday. Kim Fundingsland had the scoop and the newest updates from the architect:

        The target date for completion of the new grandstand being constructed at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds in Minot is July 1, 2010, just a few weeks before the start of the State Fair.
        The latest news from the architect is that the project remains on schedule and that the recent spell of nice weather deserves a portion of the credit.
        "Things are going really well," said Brian Berg, of Zerr-Berg Architects of Fargo. "We're proceding with concrete work and should have the underground foundation wrapped up by the end of the week. We're a quarter of the way into the steel framework below the stadium plank steel. We'll be halfway by (Monday) on the steel."
        Berg said he expected weather-related delays, but the construction crews have been able to take advantage of favorable conditions and keep the building project on schedule. Similar weather conditions in Grand Forks have also proven beneficial to the grandstand project. A Grand Forks firm responsible for making the precast sections to which the seats will eventually be anchored has completed its work. All of the sections are ready for shipment to the Minot site as soon as necessary.
        "We are looking forward to setting more steel in next month, the part below the risers. Then we'll start setting the steel for the overhead canopy. Sometime in late winter the highest part will go on," said Berg.
        Barring extreme winter conditions, Berg said he expects construction to continue. Most of the exterior of the grandstand will be covered by metal panels. A good portion of the masonary work is already complete and will be finished entirely once the overhead steel is in place.
        "Everything below 14 feet is masonary," said Berg. "Once things start getting enclosed we'll be able to pour more concrete and work on the interior."
        The new grandstand will have seating for approximately 7,000 people underneath the canopy. The     old grandstand had seating for 3,200 under a partial canopy and exposed bleacher seating for an additional 2,000.
        The 2010 North Dakota State Fair runs July 23-31.

To get more news from the Minot Daily crew go to http://www.minotdailynews.com/!

Weekend Festivities

Don't miss the Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcase and the Magic City Flea Market taking place at the State Fair Center this Saturday Nov. 14th and Sunday the 15th. It is $2.00 to enter and will be from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, 11am to 5pm on Sunday. Stop in to buy those unique holiday gift ideas such as clothing, accessories, food and condiments, antiques, coins, collectibles, toys, tools, books, crafts, baked goods and more! For more information about the Flea Market contact Rich Timboe at 701-852-1289. Click HERE to view more about the Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcase.

It's HOCKEY Time

Hockey season is here! The MHS girls hockey team's first home game is at 7:00pm on November 24th and the first boys home game is November 28th, with JV at 5:15pm and Varsity at 7:30pm.
If you want to make it to every home game of the season you can check out the North Dakota State Fair Center website or go to the team's websites for their season schedules:

MHS Boys Hockey

MHS Girls Hockey

MSU Club Hockey

The Beaver's are currently 9-1 this season and doing well! Their next home game is December 5th at 7:30pm at the All Seasons Arena. Come watch as everlasting rivalry continues when Minot State takes on their sister school Dakota College of Bottineau.