MINNESOTA STATE FAIR

The Minnesota State Fair runs for 12 days, from Thursday, Aug. 21, through Monday, Sept. 1.

Most exhibit buildings are open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Admission gates are open from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. The fairgrounds close at midnight.

Each day, there are tours, demonstrations, special events, grandstand events and free entertainment on the grounds.

Although this schedule is subject to change, these are some of the fair highlights for the judging schedules and other events provided by the Minnesota State Fair Office. Thursday, Aug. 21 Thrifty Thursday &; Agriculture Day Animals 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- Beef Cattle: Open class and FFA (Cattle Barn, Cattle Annex). Dairy Cattle: FFA (Cattle Barn). Horses: English and draft (Horse Barn, Horse Barn Annex, Judging Arena and West Swine Barn). Sheep: FFA and Open Class (Swine and Sheep Barn). Poultry: Open class chickens (Poultry Barn). Swine: FFA (Swine Barn). Swine: FFA market swine (Swine Barn). Budweiser Clydesdales (Horse Barn). Judging 1 p.m. -- Sheep wool show (Sheep Barn). 4 p.m. -- Beef Cattle: FFA (Judging Arena). 5 p.m. -- Sheep: FFA market lambs and showmanship (Swine Barn). Horticulture

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- State Horticultural Society Plant Show and African Violet Society of Minnesota (Agriculture and Horticulture Building). State Fair Mall Parade

2 p.m. -- Competing in the high school marching band contest are Brooklyn Center, Eden Prairie, Lake City and New Ulm high schools. Coliseum

12:30 p.m. &; 6:30 p.m. -- AHSA English Horse Show featuring SuperDogs. (Box Seats: $6.50; General Admission: $5 for adults, $2.50 for children 12 &; under).

Grandstand

7:30 p.m. -- BoDeans with G. B. Leighton, mainstand, $17. Aerial fireworks follow the show.

Friday, Aug. 22

Play Hooky From Work Day Animals 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- Beef Cattle: Open class and FFA (Cattle Barn, Cattle Annex). Dairy Cattle: FFA (Cattle Barn). Horses: English and draft (Horse Barn (Horse Barn Annex, Judging Arena and West Swine Barn). Sheep: FFA and Open Class (Swine and Sheep Barn). Poultry: Open class chickens (Poultry Barn). Swine: FFA (Swine Barn). Budweiser Clydesdales (Horse Barn). Judging

8 a.m. -- Swine: FFA market swine (Swine Barn). Beef Cattle: Shorthorn, Limousin, Charolais (Coliseum). Dairy Cattle: FFA Holstein, Grade Holstein (Judging Arena). Sheep FFA: Suffolk, Southdown, Cheviot (Swine Barn).

9 a.m. -- Poulty: Chickens (Poultry Barn). Sheep: Rambouillet (Sheep Barn)

12:30 p.m. -- Dairy cattle: FFA ADA Special (Judging Arena).

1 p.m. -- Sheep: FFA sheep, Shropshire, Hampshire, Dorset (Sheep Barn). Sheep: Columbia (Sheep Barn).

1:15 p.m. -- Dairy cattle: FFA Jersey, Guernsey. Brown Swiss followed by grades of same. (Judging Arena).

3 p.m. -- Dairy cattle: FFA Ayrshire, milking shorthorn followed by grades of same. (Judging Arena). Sheep: Montadale (Sheep Barn). State Fair Mall Parade

2 p.m. -- Competing in the high school marching band contest are Irondale and Winona Cotter, Winona and Maple River high schools. Coliseum

1 p.m. &; 6:30 p.m. -- AHSA English Horse Show featuring SuperDogs. (Box Seats: $6.50; General Admission: $5 for adults, $2.50 for children 12 &; under). Grandstand

7:30 p.m. -- John Michael Montgomery with Ricochet. Mainstand, $19. Aerial fireworks follow show.

Saturday, Aug. 23 FFA 50th Anniversary Day Animals 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- Beef Cattle: Open class and FFA (Cattle Barn, Cattle Annex). Dairy Cattle: FFA (Cattle Barn). Horses: English and draft (Horse Barn, Horse Barn Annex, Judging Arena and West Swine Barn). Sheep: FFA and open class (Swine and Sheep Barn). Poultry: Open class chickens (Poultry Barn). Swine: FFA (Swine Barn). Budweiser Clydesdales (Horse Barn). Judging

8 a.m. -- Horses: Belgian breed classes. Swine: FFA breeding swine (Swine Barn). Beef Cattle: Angus, Hereford/Polled Herford, Simmental (Coliseum). Sheep: FFA sheep, Columbia, Corriedale, Rambouiller (Swine Barn).

9 a.m. -- Poultry: Chickens (Poultry Barn).

10 a.m. -- Sheep: Superintendent's Special-White Faced breeds (Sheep Barn).

10:30 a.m. -- Sheep: Quality Lamb Show (Sheep Barn).

11 a.m. -- Sheep: Market Lamb Show-White Faced breeds (Sheep Barn).

1 p.m. -- Sheep: All other breeds (Sheep Barn).

2:30 p.m. -- Horses: Arabian Halter classes (Judging Arena).

3 p.m. -- Sheep: Border Cheviots (Sheep Barn). Horticulture

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- State Fair Gladiolus Show (Agriculture and Horticulture Building). State Fair Mall Parade

2 p.m. -- Competing in high school marching band contest are Barron, Edina and Ellsworth high schools. Coliseum

2 p.m. &; 6:30 p.m. -- AHSA English Horse Show featuring SuperDogs. (Box Seats: $6.50. General Admission: $5 for adults, $2.50 for children 12 &; under). Grandstand

7:30 p.m. ZZ Top with Los Lobos, mainstand sold out, discount bleachers, $9. Aerial fireworks follow the show.

Sunday, Aug. 24 Wonders of Technology Day Animals

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. -- Beef Cattle: Open class and FFA (Cattle Barn, Cattle Annex). Dairy Cattle: FFA (Cattle Barn). Sheep: FFA and Open Class (Swine and Sheep Barn). Poultry: Open class chickens (Poultry Barn). Horses: English and draft (Horse Barn, Horse Barn Annex, Judging Arena and West Swine Barn). Swine: FFA (Swine Barn). Budweiser Clydesdales (Horse Barn). Judging

9:30 a.m. -- Draft Horses: Percheron breed classes (Judging Arena).

12:30 p.m. -- Sheep: Lamb Lead Show (Sheep Barn). Horticulture

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- State Fair Gladiolus Show (Agriculture and Horticulture Building). State Fair Mall Parade

2 p.m. -- Competing in the high school marching band contest are Waseca, Elk Mound, Colfax and Durand high schools. Coliseum

12:30 p.m. &; 6:30 p.m. -- AHSA English Horse Show featuring SuperDogs. Box Seats: $6.50. General Admission: $5 for adults, $2.50 for children 12 &; under). Grandstand

7:30 p.m. -- Wynonna with Terri Clark. Mainstand, $19. Aerial fireworks follow the show.

Monday, Aug. 25 Seniors &; Kids Day Animals

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- Dairy Cattle: Open class (Cattle Barn, Cattle Annex). Horses: English and draft (Horse Barn, Horse Annex, Judging Arena and West Swine Barn). Sheep: Open Class (Sheep Barn). Poultry, Open class waterfowl, turkeys, rabbits and pigeons (Poultry Barn). Swine: Open class (Swine Barn). Budweiser Clydesdales (Horse Barn). Judging

8 a.m. -- Stock Dogs: Dog Trials (Coliseum).

9 a.m. -- Draft horses: Clydesdale breed classes (Judging Arena).

11 a.m. -- Sheep: Sheep Shearing Contest (Sheep Barn). Horticulture

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- State Fair Flower Show (Agriculture and Horticulture Building). State Fair Mall Parade

2 p.m. -- Competing in the high school marching band contest are Champlin, Hastings, Northome and Turtle Lake high schools. Coliseum

12:30 p.m. &; 6:30 p.m. -- AHSA English Horse Show featuring SuperDogs. (Box seats: $6.50. General Admission: $5 for adults, $2.50 for children 12 &; under). Grandstand

7:30 p.m. -- An evening with Boston. Mainstand, $19. Aerial fireworks to follow the show.

Tuesday, Aug. 26 Veterans Day &; State Fair Explorer Day Animals

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- Dairy cattle: Open class (Cattle Barn, Cattle Annex). Horses: English (Horse Barn). Sheep: Open class (Sheep Barn). Poultry: Open class waterfowl, turkeys, rabbits, pigeons (Poultry Barn). Swine: Open class (Swine Barn). Clydesdales (Horse Barn). Judging

8 a.m. -- Swine: Chester White and Duroc (Swine Barn). Sheep: Superintendent's Special black-faced breeds (Sheep Barn).

8:30 a.m. -- Sheep: P.A. Anderson Challenge Trophy (Sheep Barn).

9 a.m. -- Poultry: Rabbits, pigeons, waterfowl and turkeys (Poultry Barn). Dairy Cattle: Holstein, Ayrshire, Milking Shorthorn (Coliseum). Sheep: Hampshire (Sheep Barn).

9:30 a.m. -- Swine: Spotted (Swine Barn).

1 p.m. -- Sheep: Suffolks (Sheep Barn). Swine: Yorkshire and Berkshire (Swine Barn).

3 p.m. -- Swine: Landrace (Swine Barn). Horticulture

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- State Fair Flower Show (Agriculture and Horticulture Building). State Fair Mall Parade

2 p.m. -- Competing in the high school marching band contest are Bloomington Kennedy, Chisago Lakes and East Central high schools. Coliseum

6:30 p.m. -- AHSA English Horse Show featuring SuperDogs. (Box Seats: $6.50. General Admission: $5 for adults, $2.50 for children 12 &; under). Grandstand

7:30 p.m. -- Vince Gill with Bryan White. Mainstand sold out, discount bleachers, $9. Aerial fireworks follow show.

Wednesday, Aug. 27 The Return of Elvis Day Animals

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- Dairy Cattle: Open class (Cattle Barn, Cattle Annex). Sheep: Open Class (Sheep Barn). Poultry: Open class waterfowl, turkeys, rabbits and pigeons (Poultry Barn). Swine: Open class (Swine Barn).

9 a.m. to noon -- Llamas: Open class (Judging Arena). Judging

8 a.m. -- Swine: Hampshire and Poland China (Swine Barn).

8:30 a.m. -- Sheep: Market Lamb Show (Sheep Barn).

9 a.m. -- Poultry: Rabbits, pigeons, waterfowl and turkeys (Poultry Barn). Dairy Cattle: Guernsey, Brown Swiss, Jersey (Coliseum).

9:30 a.m. -- Sheep: Southdowns (Sheep Barn).

10 a.m. -- Swine: Barrow Show (Swine Barn).

1 p.m. -- Sheep: Dorsets (Sheep Barn). Horticulture

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- Federated Garden Clubs of Minnesota show. (Agriculture and Horticulture Building). State Fair Mall Parade

2 p.m. -- Competing in the high school marching band contest are Anoka, Baldwin-Woodville and St. Peter high schools. Coliseum

7 p.m. -- PRCA Championship Rodeo featuring SuperDogs. (Box Seats: $7.50. General Admission: $5 for adults, $2.50 for children 12 &; under). Grandstand

7:30 p.m. -- Tim McGraw with Mindy McCready. Mainstand, $19. Aerial fireworks follows.

Thursday, Aug. 29 Seniors, Kids and Academic Excellence Day Animals

9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. -- Dairy Cattle: Open class (Cattle Barn, Cattle Annex). Sheep: Open Class (Sheep Barn). Poultry: Open class waterfowl, turkeys, rabbits and pigeons (Poultry Barn). Swine: Open class (Swine Barn).

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- Horses, Western and Miniature (Horse Barn, Horse Barn Annex, Judging Arena, West Swine Barn). Llamas: Open class (Judging Arena). Clydesdales (Horse Barn). Judging

8:30 a.m. -- Llamas: Light and medium wool breed classes (Judging Arena).

8:45 a.m. -- Dairy Cattle: FFA dairy cattle judging contest (Coliseum). Beef Cattle, Sheep, Swine: General livestock judging contest (Swine Barn).

10 a.m. -- Llamas: Heavy wool breed classes (Judging Arena). Horticulture

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- Federated Garden Clubs of Minnesota (Agriculture and Horticulture Building). State Fair Mall Parade

2 p.m. -- Competing in the high school marching band contest are Coon Rapids, Desoto, Flambeau and Richfield high schools. Coliseum

1 p.m. &; 7 p.m. -- PRCA Championship Rodeo with SuperDogs. (Box Seats: $7.50. General Admission: $5 for adults, $2.50 for children 12 &; under). Grandstand

8 p.m. -- Roger Whitaker. Mainstand, $17. Aerial fireworks follow.

Friday, Aug. 29 International Day Animals

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- Beef Cattle: 4-H (Cattle Barn, Cattle Annex). Dairy Cattle: 4-H (Cattle Barn). Horses: Western and Miniature (Horse Barn, Horse Barn Annex, Judging Arena and West Swine Barn). Sheep: 4-H (Swine Barn). Poultry: 4-H chickens, waterfowl, turkeys and rabbits (Poultry Barn). Swine: 4-H (Swine Barn). Dairy Goats: Open class and 4-H (Sheep Barn). Clydesdales (Horse Barn).

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. -- Llamas, Open class (Judging Arena). Judging

8 a.m. -- Horses: Quarter Horse halter classes (Coliseum).

8:30 a.m. -- Horses: Paint halter classes (Coliseum). Llamas: Performance classes (Judging Arena).

3 p.m. -- Poultry: 4-H (Poultry Barn)/

3:30 p.m. -- Sheep: 4-H market wool class judging (Swine Barn).

6:30 p.m. -- Beef Cattle: 4-H (Judging Arena).

7 p.m. -- Dairy Goats: Toggenberg juniors (Sheep Barn).

7:45 p.m. -- Dairy Goats: Oberhasli juniors (Sheep Barn). Horticulture

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- Orchid Society of Minnesota and Minnesota Bonsai Society (Agriculture and Horticulture Building). State Fair Mall Parade

2 p.m. -- Competing in the high school marching band contest is Waterville-Elysian-Morris high school Coliseum

12:30 p.m. -- Western Stock Show featuring SuperDogs. (Box Seats: $6.50. General Admission: $5 for adults, $2.50 for children 12 &; under).

7 p.m. -- PRCA Championship Rodeo featuring SuperDogs. (Box Seats: $7.50. General Admission: $5 for adults, $2.50 for children 12 &; under). Grandstand 7:30 p.m. -- Steve Miller with Eric Johnson. Mainstand, $18. Aerial fireworks follow.

Saturday, Aug. 30 4-H and Bad Hair Day Animals

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- Beef Cattle: 4-H (Cattle Barn, Cattle Annex). Dairy Cattle: 4-H (Cattle Barn). Horses: Western and Miniature (Horse Barn, Horse Barn Annex, Judging Arena and West Swine Barn). Sheep: 4-H (Swine Barn). Poultry: 4-H chickens, waterfowl, turkeys and rabbits (Poultry Barn). Swine: 4-H (Swine Barn). Dairy Goats: Open class and 4-H (Sheep Barn). Judging

7:30 a.m. -- Beef Cattle: 4-H (Judging Arena).

8 a.m. -- Dairy Cattle: 4-H Dairy Show (Coliseum). Dairy Goats: Saanen juniors, seniors, groups (Sheep Barn). Poultry: 4-H market rabbits (Poultry Barn).

8:30 a.m. -- Swine: 4-H swine show (Swine Barn).

9 a.m. -- Poultry: 4-H rabbit breeding classes (Poultry Barn). Dairy Cattle: 4-H dairy steer show (Coliseum).

10:30 a.m. -- Dairy Goats: Toggenberg seniors, groups (Sheep Barn). Beef Cattle: 4-H heifer showmanship finals (Judging Arena).

11 a.m. -- Beef Cattle: 4-H beef steer show (Judging Arena).

1 p.m. -- Dairy Goats: Alpine juniors, seniors, groups (Sheep Barn). Poultry: 4-H rabbit showmanship (Poultry Barn).

2:30 p.m. -- Beef Cattle: 4-H beef steer showmanship finals (Judging Arena). Poultry: 4-H poultry showmanship (Poultry Barn).

4:30 p.m. -- Dairy Goats: Oberhasli seniors and groups (Sheep Barn).

5 p.m. -- Beef Cattle: 4-H beef championship event (Coliseum).

6 p.m. -- Dairy Goats: Nubian juniors, seniors, groups (Sheep Barn). Horticulture

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- Orchid Society of Minnesota and Bonsai Society (Agriculture and Horticulture Building). State Fair Mall Parade

2 p.m. -- Competing in the high school marching band contest are Altoona, Boyceville, Cameron and St. Croix Falls high schools. Coliseum

6:30 p.m. -- Western Stock Show with SuperDogs. (Box seats: $6.50. General Admission, $5 for adults, $2.50 for children 12 and under.) Grandstand

7:30 p.m. -- Alabama with Kenny Chesney. Mainstand sold out, discount bleachers, $9. Aerial fireworks to follow.

Sunday, Aug. 31 Amateur Talent Contest 25th Anniversary Day Animals

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- Beef Cattle: 4-H (Cattle Barn, Cattle Annex). Dairy Cattle: 4-H (Cattle Barn). Horses: Western, miniature (Horse Barn, Horse Barn Annex, Judging Arena, West Swine Barn). Sheep: 4-H (Swine Barn). Poultry: 4-H chickens, waterfowl, turkeys, rabbits (Poultry Barn). Swine: 4-H (Swine Barn). Dairy Goats: Open Class, 4-H (Sheep Barn). Clydesdales (Horse Barn). Judging

8 a.m. -- Horses: Miniature horse halter class (Judging Arena). Sheep: 4-H Lamb Lead (Swine Barn).

8:30 a.m. -- Dairy Goats: LaMancha juniors, seniors, groups (Sheep Barn).

9 a.m. -- Poultry: 4-H market rabbit judging (Poultry Barn).

9:30 a.m. -- Dairy goats: Recorded grades juniors, seniors, groups. (Sheep Barn).

10 a.m. -- Sheep: 4-H market lambs and breeding ewes (Swine Barn)

11:15 a.m. -- Dairy Goats: Best junior doe in show (Sheep Barn).

11:30 a.m. -- Dairy goats: Best udder in show (Sheep Barn).

11:45 a.m. -- Dairy goats: Best senior doe in show (Sheep Barn).

1:30 p.m. -- Dairy goats: 4-H dairy goats showmanship (Sheep Barn).

3 p.m. -- Poultry: 4-H poultry judging (Poultry Barn).

6:30 p.m. -- Poultry: 4-H poultry demonstration (Poultry Barn). Horticulture

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- Minnesota Dahlia society State Fair Dahlia Show (Agriculture and Horticulture Building). State Fair Mall Parade

2 p.m. -- Competing in the high school marching band contest are Gale-Ettrick-Trempleau, Jordan, Luther and Osceola high schools. Coliseum

12:30 p.m. &; 6:30 p.m. -- Western stock show featuring SuperDogs. (Box seats: $6.50. General Admission: $5 for adults, $2.50 for children under 12.)

Monday, Sept. 1 Last Chance Day Animals

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. -- Beef cattle: 4-H (Cattle Barn, Cattle Annex). Dairy Cattle: 4-H (Cattle Barn). Horses: Western (Horse Barn, Horse Barn Annex, Judging Arena, West Swine Barn). Sheep: 4-H (Swine Barn). Poultry: 4-H chickens, waterfowl, turkeys, rabbits (Poultry Barn). Swine: 4-H (Swine Barn). Dairy Goats: Open class, 4-H (Sheep Barn). Clydesdales (Horse Barn to 9 p.m.) Judging

9 a.m. -- Poultry: 4-H rabbit quiz bowl (Poultry Barn).

10 a.m. -- Dairy Goats: 4-H dairy goat quiz bowl (Poultry Barn).

12:30 p.m. -- 4-H Auction (Swine Barn).

1 p.m. -- Poultry: 4-H rabbit demonstrations (Poultry Barn) Horticulture

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- Minnesota Dahlia Society State Fair Show (Agriculture and Horticulture Building). State Fair Mall Parade

2 p.m. -- Marching bands, floats, Clydesdales and novelty acts. Coliseum

12:30 p.m. &; 6:30 p.m. -- Western Stock Show with SuperDogs. (Box seats: $6.50, General Admission: $5 for adults, $2.50 for children under 12.) Grandstand

2 p.m. -- Miller 300. Reserved, $16; bleachers, $12. @et