Mötley Crüe, Taylor Swift, Rodney Atkins, Heidi Newfield and Gary Allan will all perform at the 2009 North Dakota State Fair!

Mötley Crüe, the poster boys for eighties hair metal, will kick off the 2009 North Dakota State Fair concert lineup on Friday, July 24. Known for classic rock songs like “Girls, Girls, Girls” and “Dr. Feelgood” Mötley Crüe has recently released a new album and single both sharing the title “Saints of Los Angeles.”

Taylor Swift will kick off the 2009 country lineup at the North Dakota State Fair on Saturday, July 25. Swift’s chart topping songs include "Tim McGraw," "Our Song," "Love Story," "White Horse," and "Fifteen." Swift recently released her second album, "Fearless." Gloriana will be the opening act for the Taylor Swift concert.

Country music’s Rodney Atkins and Heidi Newfield both take to the stage on Sunday, July 26. Popular Atkins’ songs include “If You’re Going Through Hell,” “Cleaning This Gun,” “These are my People,” and his latest release “It’s America.” Heidi Newfield, who has emerged from the band Trick Pony as a solo artist, has seen success with her first single, “Johnny and June.” Additional songs on her new album, What am I Waiting For, include "Knocked Up" and "Cry, Cry."

Gary Allan will perform Thursday, July 30. Known for his hard-rockin’, no-apologies country music his most popular songs include "Songs About Rain," "Learning How to Bend," "Watching Airplanes," and his most recent release "She's so California."

More info on the final two concerts yet to come!

Help the North Dakota State Fair grow its Facebook Fan Page and win tickets!

Send your friends a message asking them to become a fan of the North Dakota State Fair Facebook Page.

If the Fair's fan page reaches 1,000 fans by St. Patrick's Day on March 17th we'll draw five winners who will win two tickets to one of the following events: Ranch Rodeo, Enduro Race, Demolition Derby or The Devonshires & Classic Car Show. One grand prize winner will receive two tickets to a country concert!

Send this link to your friends: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Minot-ND/North-Dakota-State-Fair/29966344217

and Good Luck!

Got Talent?

We want to see it! This summer the North Dakota State Fair will allow talented North Dakotans to perform on the Dakota Talent Stage located in the SRT State Fair Park. Whether you're in a band, are a concert pianist, love to break dance or want to perform with your dance school or cheerleading squad you can do it at the Fair! Performers receive free gate admission and a 30 minute time block to rock the stage. Applications are due July 1, 2009 and are available here, days and times will be filled on a first come first serve basis.

ND State Fair's New Website

We just went live with our new website for 2009! Each year we work with our advertising agency (Kranzler Kingsley) to come up with a new look / theme for the Fair's advertising campaign. This year's is now posted, check it out at http://www.ndstatefair.com/

Marketing / Communications Internship

The North Dakota State Fair is looking to hire two Marketing / Communications Interns for this summer!

North Dakota State Fair interns will assist the marketing team with planning and promotion of the 2009 North Dakota State Fair. Responsibilities include planning and executing special events, assisting with publicity, coordinating and updating social networking efforts, writing news releases and newsletters, updating website and blog, maintaining databases, as well as basic administrative duties. Individuals must be organized, detail orientated, and have the ability to work in a fast pace environment on multiple tasks. Position is full time from mid-May through mid-August, with the ability to start part-time prior to May if possible. Please send resume and cover letter to:

North Dakota State Fair
Attn. Marketing Department
PO Box 1796
Minot, ND 58702

Application deadline is March 13, 2009.

http://www.ndstatefair.com/employment/

Country Lineup Announcing Soon!

Morning! This week we will be announcing the 2009 Grandstand Showpass lineup. For $75 reserved seating or $65 general admission Fairgoers will receive four nights of country concerts and three nights of auto events including the Enduro Auto Race, Demolition Derby and Classic Car Show! We are waiting to book our last country act, as soon as we get confirmation I'll let you know who's coming to the Fair and when tickets will be on sale! With these big- name acts it's going to be best to get your tickets EARLY!

Help get North Dakota featured on the Today Show!

Help get North Dakota featured on the Today Show!

In honor of the segment’s 10th anniversary, the Today Show wants its viewers — you — to suggest where Matt should go on his week-long adventure. North Dakotans, here’s your chance to bring Matt Lauer to North Dakota.

Go to http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/28879486/ and tell the Today Show to come to North Dakota to showcase a place people will never forget. Be sure to include a photo! Deadline is February 23.

Big Iron and Big Animals

Today is the last day of the KMOT Ag Expo. We've seen combines, tractors, welding supplies, seed dealers and prize winning cattle! Definitely a good distraction from all of the snow and cold temps we've been having!

NDSF

The South Dakota State Fair is in the news today, their organization is fully funded by the State of South Dakota and this year their budget may be substantially reduced. The ND State Fair is different in the sense that the only funding received from the State of North Dakota is for premiums (the money awarded to exhibitors who show livestock, baked goods, crafts etc.); hopefully we'll also receive funding from the State for the Grandstand. The ND State Fair generates the income needed to operate the Fairgrounds. This income is generated from revenue streams at the Fair as well as through building rentals and other events that are hosted throughout the year on the Fairgrounds. The ND State Fair is a State Agency and we are all State employees, even though the State does not fund our paychecks or operating expenses. Moral of the story, since the ND State Fair is a separate entity we have the freedom to keep producing a stellar event for our Fairgoers!

The State Fair Needs Your Help!

On Friday morning the North Dakota State Fair will be testifying at the Senate Appropriations Committee in Bismarck. Governor Hoeven has included $17 million in his budget for a new grandstand, the State Fair is testifying to keep this full amount in the budget. But the Fair still needs your help! Please contact your legislator and encourage them to keep the Grandstand in the budget. You can find your legislators information by clicking here or call 701-328-2916 to leave a message for your legislator telling him or her to Keep the Grandstand's $17 million in the Budget! Contact our office at 852-FAIR with any questions. The picture on the top is of the current Grandstand in 1959! It's definitely time for a new one!

Twitter

The North Dakota State Fair is now on Twitter! Become a follower of NDStateFair to get up to the minute information on news worthy events and the latest details on the 2009 State Fair. To follow the Fair visit http://twitter.com/ndstatefair

Weddings at the State Fair Center

The ND State Fair Center plays host to many events throughout the year. Rooms within the State Fair Center are rented for birthdays, bachelorette parties, meetings, anniversaries, graduations and weddings. Our facility offers affordable rates with a flexibility that most facilities in the region can't provide.

Stop by our booth at Minot's Bridal Showcase on January 31st at the Holiday Inn Riverside from 2-6pm to learn more about having your wedding or event at the State Fair Center!

38th Annual KMOT Ag Expo

The next big event to fill the State Fair Center will be the KMOT Ag Expo. The Ag Expo runs Wednesday, January 28th to Friday, January 30th. There is also a Livestock show that will be held Thursday, January 29th to Saturday, January 31. Over 350 exhibitors will exhibit with more than 900 booths. Attendance is expected to range from 30,000 - 40,000 people. The Ag Expo features the latest agriculture technology and equipment, along with exhibits that cover all areas of agriculture. There will also be seminars and a Living Ag Classroom. Parking and admission are free and everyone is invited to attend.

Keith Anderson

Did I mention that while in Vegas, our staff got to meet country music artist, Keith Anderson? He played guitar while singing Pickin' Wildflowers and Lost in this Moment. It pretty much rocked!

State Fair Documentary will air January 7th

If you missed “Our State Fair: The North Dakota Experience” documentary on Prairie Public, you're in luck! The documentary will air on January 7th at 7pm, featuring footage from the 2008 State Fair as well as interviews with fairgoers, exhibitors, and fair officials. Copies of the documentary can still be purchased through the State Fair Office for $24.99 or online from Prairie Public.