Free Live Music at the Minnesota State Fair, Thurs. afternoon-eve, August 28th

Details

I chose the date for the music, but it also happens to be Seniors Day. The general admission for 13-64 years old is $20, for Seniors 65+: $18. On Seniors Day admission for 65+ is $15, at the gate.
State Fair deals and discounts: https://www.mnstatefair.org/discounts/
Meeting time and place: 2:00 PM, O’Gara’s, corner of Dan Patch Ave. and Cosgrove St. We’ll hang out there until 2:30 PM.
Music that I’m looking forward to:
east side of Fairgrounds -
Gizzae, reggae band from Chicago, Summit Stage at the International Bazaar, 3:15-4:00 PM, 4:30-5:15 PM, 5:45-6:30 PM. For sampling: https://www.gizzae.com/videos/ and
https://www.gizzae.com/listen-to-gizzae/
Parrothead Paradise, Jimmy Buffett Tribute band, Bandshell (I think it was formerly known as the Leinie Bandshell), 3:45-4:30 PM, 4:45-5:30 PM. For sampling: https://www.youtube.com/@ParrotheadParadiseBand and https://parrotheadparadiseband.com/
west side of Fairgrounds –
Gary Rue’s Magic Carpet Ride, band and light show paying homage to the summer of 1967,
Schilling Amphitheater, West End Market Stage, 4:00-4:30 PM, 5:00-5:30 PM, 6:00-6:30 PM.
For sampling: https://garyrue.com/magic-carpet-ride

Possible evening and night options:
Ecuador Manta at the DNR Outdoor Stage, near DNR Building and Park, 6:00-9:00 PM.
Some Shitty Cover Band at Dino’s Gyros, 7:30-11:00 PM,
and Brass Solidarity band at Summit Stage, International Bazaar, 8:00-9:30 PM.

There are other musical performances that day as well.
Check out the schedule:
https://www.mnstatefair.org/schedule/?date=2025-08-28&location=&category=400&keywords=&submit=Apply+Filters
(The Grandstand music isn’t free admission, of course.)

And, of course, there are the usual exhibits, buildings, foods, animals, amusements, rides, people watching, and so on...

Parking
I’ll be taking a free shuttle bus from Highland Park.
For information about shuttles/express buses and parking:
https://www.mnstatefair.org/get-here/
In case of rain
Bring a portable umbrella, just in case. I might cancel this event if I expect an all-day (afternoon and evening) soaking rain, but I’m not likely to.
State Fair Maps: https://www.mnstatefair.org/maps/
State Fair Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.mnstatefair.org/faq/
How to find us
Your best bet is meeting up at 2:00-2:30 at O’Garas. I look like my photo. I’ll be wearing my red-orange-yellow-green/jungle leaves-butterfly design baseball style cap.