Yes, the Minnesota State Fair provides a lot of entertainment across its 12 days. Much of that is focused on those big "Grandstand" shows and rightfully so - we're talking Def Leppard, Hank Williams Jr., Nelly and many other big name, national artists.
But one of the fair's most overlooked and under-appreciated things might be their free music stages. Often featuring local artists, it is a tremendous opportunity to listen to great music in a relaxed atmosphere - did we mention it's free?
Now you're wondering, "who can we see?" There isn't enough space here to list it all. There are 900 shows, over 100 acts, all across the fair's 12 days and nights.
One of the most high-profile local acts hitting the State Fair's Bandshell is Davina and The Vagabonds. Wednesday on the WCCO Morning News with Vineeta Sawkar, Davina talked about the opportunity to play the Great Minnesota Get-Together.
They perform at The Bandshell both Thursday and Friday this week at 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
"You know, just some fun and high energy and honestly, feeling good," Davina says about the shows at the fair. "That's always, for 20 years I've been playing in the Twin Cities, and that has always been my ultimate goal, is to just let people relax and have fun and let loose."
The fair shows are special. For Davina and The Vagabonds, it's in the middle of an incredibly busy schedule.
"The day after we play the fair, on the 23rd, the band and I are flying to the UK and to Norway," she says. "And then I come back and then I do an East Coast run, so I tour a lot. I get my travel shoes on and get to meet other people and fly and go to different countries."
It's an example of the type of talent the State Fair gathers at these free stages. Also performing this year are longtime Mexican American rock group Los Lobos, Emmy Award-winning multiplatinum artist and singer-songwriter Rachel Platten (of "Fight Song" fame), TikTok sensation and country music artist Tayler Holder, and multiplatinum, Grammy Award-winning hip hop group Arrested Development.
You can even see some great cover bands, featuring classic artists like John Denver and Jimmy Buffett. And all of that is just the tip of the free show iceberg.
It's not all music either. You can see dance shows, Zumba classes, comedy shows, dog shows, lumberjack shows, and more.
There are six free stages at the fairgrounds.
The Bandshell - on Cooper located near the Space Tower
The Cosgrove Stage - on Cosgrove near the Education Building
Family Fair Stage - on Randall near the Eco Experience Progress Center
Summit Stage at the Bazaar - off Underwood next to the International Bazaar
The North Woods Stage - on Cooper next to the Eco Experience Progress Center
West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater - off of Dan Patch next to the Transit Hub
Click here to see the list of shows at all of the fair's free stages.
Click here to see the list of shows at the State Fair Grandstand.