Minnesota State Fair Breaks Attendance Record for Opening Day

The Minnesota State Fair kicked off for the 2024 season yesterday and with a huge turnout. Thanks to Mother Nature's cooperation, I'm not surprised!

I saw that parking at the fairgrounds was full by 11 AM and most of the Park and Ride lots were full by then as well. I also had a friend out at opening day yesterday and she said that it was so packed she wouldn't be surprised if it broke a record. And sure enough, it did.

ALSO READ: All of the New Food at the 2024 MN State Fair

Minnesota State Fair Attendance Records

We always welcome tons and tons of people to the Great Minnesota Get-Together every year. Between 2022 and 2023 we averaged 1.8 million people. Our total attendance record was set back in 2019 with 2,126,551.

If the weather keeps up and continues to be nice, I wouldn't be shocked if we break the total attendance record this year.

Get our free mobile app

2019 was also the year we last broke our attendance record for opening day with 133,326 people walking through the gate.

Minnesota State Fair Breaks Opening Day Attendance Record

This year, we broke that opening day record by over 5,000 people. 138,875 people came to the state fair yesterday, which is crazy! But based on the feedback I was seeing about the day, I'm not surprised.

Over the next 11 days of the fair, the weather continues to look great (knock on wood). Highs between 77 and 91 and right now the only predicted rain is possibly on Thursday the 29th when there's a 56% chance of scattered thunderstorms.

If you're going to the fair, make sure you scope out all of the new food that's going to be there!