It won't look much different for even the most devoted Minnesota State Fair fan.
But there are changes in security for the Great Minnesota Get-Together, a year after gunfire inside the historic fairgrounds injured one and sent crowds running for the exits.
State fair police have increased the number of officers to 170 from across the state, up from 130 last year.
The fair is also working this year with the FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The security budget for 2023's version of the Minnesota State Fair is more than $5 million, roughly twice what was set aside in 2019.
"Safety and security is our number one priority," said Minnesota State Fair police chief Ron Knafla. "We have made some improvements and enhancements to our perimeter fencing, to our staff, and there will be some things that aren't noticeable."
There was also a shooting outside the fairgrounds last year.
"This isn't just a job for us, it's personal," Knafla said. "We take it to heart that it's our job to provide a safe and secure environment. And that's what our goal is."
Guns have been officially banned inside the state fairgrounds since 2003, a ban that a US District judge upheld after a lawsuit was filed just before the 2021 state fair began.
