It's one month out for the Minnesota State Fair's Aug. 21 opening day, and activity at the historic fairgrounds in Falcon Heights is increasing by the hour.
There's lots of pounding of nails by hammers, buzzing of saws shearing away planks of wood, and whatever sound is made by a brush applying paint.
Guess who's among those getting a major upgrade...
We are!
"We" as in WCCO radio's cabin-like booth on Carnes Ave. between the Minnesota Republican Party and the original location of Sweet Martha's cookies.
Crews stripped off old shingles from the awning above the front porch, and are installing solar panels.
It's among the first buildings at the fairgrounds to have such a setup.
"This is the first time we've actually put some down on a roof," said Tucker Nauss. "It's exciting, it's different. It's cool to see some different stuff go up."
There's nothing particuarly groundbreaking going on with the roof of Warner Coliseum, which is being replaced as part of a $22 million project that includes brighter lights and airflow.
All the better to see horses jump and run, along with dressed up llamas parading around in costumes.
Crews have been climbing to the top of the building, which first opened in 1951, to make the repairs.
It's all part of between-fair upgrades that keeps carpenters like Eric Kemp busy.
"Saws, drills, hammers, air tools, air nailers, everything," said Kemp about his arsenal. "Everything in the trailer."
And that's just to add a few shelves to one small building that may get a paint job before it's all said and done.
While crews are building a brand-new pizza place from the ground up on the north end of the fairgrounds, Sammy Clifton has the scrub brushes out to make sure the Pickle Palace is perfect.
"I usually start on the outside, 'cause thing sit around and get dusty," said the veteran of dozens of fairs around the country. "I clean from top to bottom, and then I get inside and I've got steamers (to clean). We try to be spic-n-span, so when the health department walks it, it's good to go."
It'll be a while before the Ballpark Cafe is good to go for its 27th year in between The Garden and the Food Building, with electricians scheduled to come in and fix the neon lights on the main sign.
And that's in addition to the usual pre-fair organization for Dave Tyson.
"Cleaning, fixing, deliveries start coming," he said. "The sooner you get the stuff in, then it's nice that you don't have to worry about it that last week."
That last week is less than a month away.
"I don't like the countdown," said Tyson, with a laugh. "You gotta be ready for it, and we will be."
August 21 is the earliest the Minnesota State Fair can start. The latest start is August 27, which is the opening date of the 2026 Great Minnesota Get-Together.