Minnesota State Fair: What you need to know for the 2022 event

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - The gates are set to open for the Minnesota State Fair's 12-day run at 7 a.m. Thursday. When you come through the gates, you will have to go through metal detectors and get your bags checked.

This year's Great Minnesota Get-Together is expected to outpace 2019 attendance levels, which set records. The 2020 fair was canceled due to COVID-19, and the 2021 fair was on, but more than 150 vendors said they wouldn't be returning.

When is the Minnesota State Fair?

How police will keep the Minnesota State Fair safe

Guests will see metal detectors at the Minnesota State Fair for the second year in a row. Lars Lasky, a security expert of 30 years, told FOX 9 metal detectors can make all the difference at a large event and make guests feel safer.

The Great Minnesota Get-Together runs Aug. 25 through Labor Day, Sept. 5.

WATCH: Minnesota State Fair live camera

The Minnesota State Fairgrounds are open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day, except for Labor Day, when the Fairgrounds are open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Most buildings close by 9 p.m. for the first 11 days of the fair, while on Labor Day, most close by 8 p.m.

RELATED: State law enforcement officials detail security plans for Minnesota State Fair

How much does it cost to go to the fair?

Countdown to the Minnesota State Fair

The final touches are being added to the fairgrounds on the eve of the Great Minnesota Get-Together. The Minnesota State Fair runs from Aug. 25 - Sept. 5.

Tickets at the gate will run $17 for an adult (ages 13-64), but will cost $14 if you buy them before the fair starts.

Here's a breakdown of ticketing pricing:

Adults (13-64): $17
Seniors (65+): $15
Kids (5-12): $15
Children (4 and under): Always Free!

Discount days:

Seniors Day -- Monday, Aug. 29, and Thursday, Sept. 1.
Military Appreciation Day on Tuesday, Aug. 30.
Kids Day on Wednesday, Aug. 31, and Monday, Sept. 5.

How to get there, where to park

The 2022 Minnesota State Fair runs Aug. 25 to Sept. 5. (FOX 9 / FOX 9)

There are various ways you can get to the Minnesota State Fair, including buses. Metro Transit offers State Fair Express Bus Service in Minnetonka, Bloomington and Cottage Grove (more information on that here). Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) provides direct bus service to and from the fair, with locations in Burnsville, Eagan and Shakopee (more info here). And SouthWest Transit offers express bus service Thursdays-Sundays from locations in Eden Prairie, Chanhassen and Chaska (more on that here). Metro Transit also offers regular bus service to the State Fair.

RELATED: State Fairgoers dealing with ‘gridlock’ traffic, parking on day one

In addition to bus routes, the Minnesota State Fair offers several free park and rides, serving about 30 Twin Cities locations. You can find details on this here.

If you plan to drive to the Minnesota State Fair, there are limited parking spaces available at the fairgrounds; it costs $17 per vehicle (details here). Nearby businesses and residents also offer parking for a fee.

Find FOX 9 live at the fair

(FOX 9 / FOX 9)

FOX 9 has a booth next to the Giant Slide, and will be broadcasting live at the Minnesota State Fair on weekdays. Here's when FOX 9 will be live from the fair:

7-9 a.m.: Morning newscasts
9-10 a.m.: Good Day
10-11 a.m.: The Jason Show
11 a.m.-12 p.m.: FOX 9 News at 11
5-7 p.m.: Evening newscasts

Get your State Fair weather forecast here

When FOX 9 isn't broadcasting from the fair, there will be giveaways, bingo, photo booths, and more! Come stop by and say hi.

FOX 9 will be broadcasting live from the Minnesota State Fair this year.

New brews and foods at this year's fair

Minnesota State Fair unveils new foods for 2022

The Minnesota State Fair on Tuesday unveiled the 38 new foods and eight new food vendors for this year's Great Minnesota Get-Together.

The Minnesota State Fair says there are 46 new specialty brews, at least 38 new foods and 10 new food vendors this year, bringing the total to nearly 500 food options and about 300 different concession locations throughout the fairgrounds.

Grandstand shows

A Minnesota State Fair ticket booth. (FOX 9)

Here's the lineup for the Grandstand:

Aug. 25: Alice In Chains and Breaking Benjamin
Aug. 26: Counting Crows with The Wallflowers
Aug. 27: Portugal. The Man and Manchester Orchestra with Bad Bad Hats
Aug. 28: Pitbull with Iggy Azalea
Aug. 29: The Beach Boys and The Temptations with Tower of Power
Aug. 30: Jim Gaffigan
Aug. 31 The Florida Georgia Line with Baily Zimmerman
Sept. 1: REO Speedwagon and Styx with Levon
Sept. 2: Zac Brown Band with special guest Robert Randolph Band
Sept. 3: Diana Ross with special guest Naturally 7
Sept. 4: Minnesota State Fair Amateur Talent Contest Finals (free)
Sept. 5: Free Kids Day Fun Fest (free)

Free entertainment

RAW: Minnesota DNR stocks pond at Minnesota State Fair

The Minnesota DNR on Wednesday stocked its fish pond with native fish ahead of the opening of the Minnesota State Fair on Thursday.

Here are the free stage shows at the Minnesota State Fair:

Leinie Lodge Bandshell Tonight! stage:

Aug. 25 and Aug. 26: Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry (8:30 p.m.)
Aug. 27 and Aug. 28: Caitlyn Smith (8:30 p.m.)
Aug. 29 and Aug. 30: DSL* Dire Straits Legacy (8:30 p.m.)
Aug. 31 and Sept. 1: Low Cut Connie (8:30 p.m.)
Sept. 2 and Sept. 3: The Family Stone (8:30 p.m.)
Sept. 4 and Sept. 5: The Jayhawks (7:30 p.m.)

During the day, entertainment on the Leinie Lodge Bandshell stage includes Appalachian Road Show, MSF Amateur Talent Contest Semifinals, Screaming Orphans, The 34th Infantry Division "Red Bull" Band and others.

West End at Sunset at the Schell's Stage at Schilling Amphitheater:

Aug. 25 and Aug. 26: Durry (8 p.m.)
Aug. 27 and Aug. 28: Honeybutter (8 p.m.)
Aug. 29 and Aug. 30: Annie Mack (8 p.m.)
Aug. 31 and Sept. 1: Turn Turn Turn (8 p.m.)
Sept. 2 and Sept. 3: First Avenue Goes To The Fair (8 p.m.)
Sept. 4 and Sept. 5: Gully Boys (8 p.m. Sept. 4, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 5)

During the day, entertainment on the stage includes MNHS presents History On-A-Schtick, Wild Goose Chase Cloggers, Good Morning Bedlam, the Minnesota State Fiddle Contest and others.

Bazaar After Dark at the International Bazaar Stage: