We sampled all the new foods and drinks and attractionsDuring the initial days of the Minnesota State Fair. As we approach the midpoint of the 12-day event, we decided to spend one day experiencing as much entertainment as possible. Concerts tonight include Def Leppard at the grandstand and Los Lobos at the Bandshell, check back for highlights.
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10:46 p.m. –The enjoyable music keeps playing in smaller bars until they close at 11.
10:18 p.m. –
9:54 p.m. –Cesar Rosas from Los Lobos inquired if there were any “Jerry’s kids” at the bandshell. Referring to Jerry Garcia, David Hidalgo then played the Grateful Dead’s “Bertha,” adding some guitar improvisation, naturally. As Los Lobos concluded their tribute to the Dead, fireworks burst from the fair’s grandstand.
— Jon Bream
9:48 p.m. –Guest Rosie Flores performs the Blasters’ “Long White Cadillac” with Los Lobos, a group that has never before taken on this song.
— Jon Bream
9:40 p.m. –Digging into some of his band’s most iconic early songs just before the encore at the grandstand, Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott seemed to be pushing his vocal abilities quite a bit. The band concluded their main set with “Rock of Ages” and “Photograph” before coming back for “Hysteria” and “Pour Some Sugar on Me.” The turnout was 9,418, a noticeable decrease compared to the band’s previous shows in the Twin Cities. Check out our review of the concert atstartribune.com after the fireworks blow.
— Chris Riemenschneider
9:23 p.m. –Los Lobos is in a bluesy mood tonight, as shown by the classic “One Way Out.” It could be because, as singer/guitarist Cesar Rosas mentioned earlier, “You guys have amazing corn here. It’s incredible.” The band is really shining.
— Jon Bream
9:12 p.m. –It’s “Greased Lightnin'” time at Andy’s Grille, the fair’s 1950s-themed restaurant. They offer meals and milkshakes between shows.
— Jon Bream
8:58 p.m. –Los Lobos perform their 1987 blues classic “My Baby’s Gone” during their second night at the fair’s Bandshell.
— Jon Bream
8:52 p.m. –At the Frontier Saloon, Thomas Sticha and his band honored two authentic Minnesota groups, the Cactus Blossoms and Trampled by Turtles, with their song “Whiskey.”
— Jon Bream
8:32 p.m. –Ecuador Manta presents the music of South America at the Minnesota State Fair each year in DNR Park.
– Jon Bream
8:15 p.m. –A song that might feel a bit too real in today’s world, “Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)” opened Def Leppard’s performance at the grandstand, marking the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers’ return to the Minnesota State Fair after a decade. Following that, another track from forty years back, “Rocket,” was played next.
— Chris Riemenschneider
7:45 p.m. –KMOJ, the Twin Cities radio station that calls itself “the People’s Station,” played Elvis Presley between tracks by James Brown and Kendrick Lamar at the event.
— Jon Bream
7:37 p.m. –The sign at French Crêperie reads, “Crêpes, Music & Wine Bar.” The Twin Cities artist known only as Shaila performed a blend of Amy Winehouse and “Tennessee Whiskey.”
— Jon Bream
7:37 p.m. –Def Leppard not only expanded the limits of what Minnesota fans are prepared to spend on a State Fair grandstand performance (with record-breaking ticket prices ranging from $143 to $287), but the British rock band is also pushing the boundaries at the T-shirt vendors this evening. In their favor, the dollar is currently declining relative to the U.K. pound.
— Chris Riemenschneider
7:21 p.m. –A group that made it big on the rock charts in the early 1990s — you might not recall them — Alabaman opening act Brother Cane delivered a retro style of hard rock as attendees gradually arrived for the grandstand event featuring Def Leppard. The seats are anticipated to be filled for Tuesday’s performance … eventually.
— Chris Riemenschneider
6:50 p.m. –Yunior Romero, also referred to as Yuniorsax, is set to perform at Minnesota Wine Country. His primary engagements include weddings, parties, birthdays, and various events.
— Aaron Lavinsky
6:45 p.m. –The 52nd Amateur Talent Contest at the fair showcased remarkable performances during the preteen semifinals. Acts at the Bandshell included a ballet group, a young performer imitating Frank Sinatra, and a pianist dressed as Spider-Man.
— Neal Justin
6:25 p.m. –Wayne and the Boys, a solo musician who asserts he is a South Dakota country music hall of fame inductee, gets the audience at Giggles’ Campfire Grill to join in on — unexpectedly — “Sweet Caroline.”
— Jon Bream
5:50 p.m. –Veteran Jamaican musician Mystic Bowie was part of the Tom Tom Club, a side project of Talking Heads, and is now leading a reggae version of the band called Talking Dreads. This group was very popular at the Bandshell this year. During their second performance on Tuesday, they played “Genius of Love” by TTC along with several other Talking Heads songs, including the 1979-1980 hidden gems “Heaven” and “Houses in Motion.”
– Chris Riemenschneider
5:30 p.m. –Comedian Elise Cole advertised her upcoming performance at Acme Comedy during the myTalk radio program “Brittany & Kendall.”
– Neal Justin
5:15 p.m. –Most of the live music performances at the State Fair are scheduled for two-day cycles. Mark Joseph & the American Soul performevery day, though. This is the 22nd year that the guitarist from Minnesota’s most long-lasting jam band, the Big Wu, has been the afternoon house band at Cafe Caribe near the DNR Building with his other group. And with four hours to fill each day there, Joseph’s band plays a wide variety of music. Tuesday’s set included performances ranging from the Band to Bobby McFerrin, as well as a Southern-style version of a Bruce Springsteen classic.
– Chris Riemenschneider
4:50 p.m. –Belinda Jensen receives a Def Leppard shirt from her cousin at the KARE booth.
– Neal Justin
4:20 p.m. –Members of the Minnesota 4-H group performed with energy and flair in front of a full audience at the 4-H Building. The energetic children spent 22 days rehearsing to master their routines.
– Neal Justin
3:50 p.m. –Intoxicats at International Bazaar is mainly an ’80s tribute band that performs songs like Devo’s “Girl U Want” and Blondie’s “Rapture” as if they were B-52’s hits. The only absence was regular Michele Rundgren (Todd’s wife), who is currently in Hawaii. (additional performances: 4:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.)
– Neal Justin
3:45 p.m. –Coming up on their 30th anniversarytour stopOn Wednesday night at the Dakota in Minneapolis, a simplified version of the internationally renowned, politically charged Latino rock group Ozomatli from Los Angeles performed a short live set for the Current on Minnesota Public Radio’s fair stage. Saxophonist Ulises Bella shared with host Jill Riley a memorable moment from when the band played with Carlos Santana at Target Center in 2000, and “two men dressed entirely in white” unexpectedly joined them for a jam session. It turned out they were Larry Graham, the bassist from Sly & the Family Stone, and Prince, who informed Ozomatli’s members that he was a fan of their music.
I’ll never forget that,” Bella said. “It was enough for me to walk away and remain silent.
– Chris Riemenschneider
3 p.m. –The salsa dancing event at Cosgrove Stage feels more like an ’80s workout class.
– Neal Justin
2:45 p.m. –The marching band from Prior Lake High School marched in today’s parade around the fairgrounds, performing a contemporary classic. Do you know which song that is?
– Chris Riemenschneider
2:35 p.m. –The KFAN booth is consistently a favorite spot, particularly whenMark Rosencomes by to be teased by The Common Man.
– Neal Justin
2:30 p.m. –Only 15 hours after departing from the same stage as Los Lobos’special guest, Rosie Flores made a return to the Bandshell for her second set of afternoon performances. The Texas country-rock legend brought along two Minnesota music talents as part of her band: bassist Tommy Vee and drummer Bennett Vee, the son and grandson of 1960s pop star Bobby Vee (“Take Good Care of My Baby”). They didn’t perform any of Bobby’s songs during the first set of the day, but they got the crowd moving and dancing with another classic, Johnny Kidd & the Pirates’ “Shakin’ All Over.” Flores will perform her second Bandshell set at 2:30 p.m., followed by her Lobos bandmates, who will come back at 8:30 p.m.
– Chris Riemenschneider
2:20 p.m. –It’s time for the daily conversation at the DNR fish pond! I don’t want to dive too deep into the details, but I’m discovering a lot about the “toothy fish.”
– Jennifer Brooks
2:10 p.m. –The magician on the Miracle of Birth stage amazed the audience with a mix of agricultural information and illusions. This young volunteer appeared more fascinated by the tricks.
– Neal Justin
1:55 p.m. –The International Bazaar Stage is here to show us that no song is beyond being transformed into a polka.
— Jennifer Brooks
1:40 p.m. –A less-secret benefit for fans of bands playing at the State Fair grandstand is that their sound checks can always be heard outside the venue during the afternoon of their performance. Def Leppard’s sound check was clearly audible across a large area of the fairgrounds on Tuesday. The British rock legends played “Bringin’ on the Heartache,” “Armageddon It,” and “Animal” as they prepared for tonight’s show. So much for testing out new material; they’ve been performing these classic hits every night for over 35 years. Tickets for the event — the most expensive in State Fair history, ranging from $143 to $287 — are still available at the box office or online ateTix.com.
— Chris Riemenschneider
1:20 p.m. –Taking a pause from indulging in guilty pleasures to refresh with lively Christian music by Eagle Brook Band at the Crossroads Chapel. Funny T-shirts available inside!
— Neal Justin
12:55 p.m. –Two woodworkers and two female woodworkers participated in the Timberworks Lumberjack event. Britton Cooke and Samantha LaSalle emerged victorious in today’s initial contest. The event features log cutting, axe tossing, springboard chopping, chainsaw work, boom running, speed climbing, and log rolling. Children received small pieces of wood as mementos.
— Eleanor Hildebrandt
12:30 p.m. –They evaluate everything at the fair — even the tap water. A completely intense Final Four battle on the Eco Stage between St. Paul, Shoreview, Chaska, and White Bear Township happening right now.
And it’s Chaska that takes the victory! The trophy (yes, there is a trophy) is awarded to Chaska’s drinking water for the second consecutive year!
— Jennifer Brooks
12:15 p.m. –A wide variety of tribute acts are featured in the fair’s free music schedule. You can join in singing along to Selena’s hits at the fair, 30 years after her passing, as well as enjoy live renditions of songs by other late artists like John Denver and Janis Joplin.
Other tributes feature a new program about Jimmy Buffett, who passed away in 2023, and another focusing on the medically inactive Neil Diamond.
Learn more about commemorative performances here.
— Chris Riemenschneider
12 p.m. –The Big Sing-Along at the northern part of the fairgrounds encourages you to join in and learn the remaining words to “Tainted Love.” Additionally, why do so many elementary students know all the lyrics to Toto’s “Africa”?
— Jennifer Brooks
11:45 a.m. –If you’re searching for the most joyful groups at the fair, head straight to the All-Star Stunt Dog Splash. Several times each day, families gather to see the dogs perform tricks and leap into the water. The best part is that after the performance, you can meet the top dogs.
— Jennifer Brooks
11:25 a.m. –Traditional melodies echoed outside O’Gara’s as spectators sipped an Irish beer at 11 a.m. A bagpiper and snare drummer performed for a group of individuals dressed in classic kilts and berets. A spectator placed a $5 bill beneath the bagpiper Jimmy Sherman’s glass while he played with his son Oliver, 11, on the drums.
— Eleanor Hildebrandt
11 a.m. –The 34th Infantry Division Red Bull Band performed their large brass music on the Bandshell stage. Tuesday marks the 14th Military Appreciation Day at the Minnesota State Fair. The band is affiliated with the Minnesota National Guard.
I hope you take the time to thank a young soldier today,” Senator Amy Klobuchar stated during the gathering. “They are evidence that the urge to serve continues to resonate through different eras.
The ensemble performed a wide range of music, including traditional marches and lively jazz pieces.
— Eleanor Hildebrandt
10:57 a.m. –Believe me, this is worth it. Head over to the State Fair. Take a plate of Breakfast Gnocchi. Observe the acrobats doing flips.
— Jennifer Brooks
10:45 a.m. –At the Minnesota State Fair, the fish pond is accompanied by music from the DNR Outdoor Stage.
— Jennifer Brooks
10:33 a.m. –The Pleasant Valley Cloggers slipped on their dancing shoes and tapped along to the music at the Cosgrove Stage. This family-friendly group from Lindstrom, Minn., is only performing at the fair today and will present shows at 11 a.m. and noon. Free dance instruction is also offered throughout the day.
— Eleanor Hildebrandt
10:15 a.m. –Entertainment begins early in the Arts A’Fair section. Ballet performers spun, high-kicked, and jumped in vibrant outfits at the East Grandstand Plaza at 9:30 a.m. The dance group will return multiple times during the day to perform near the flower garden.
Minnesota’s premier ballet company, Ballet Co. Laboratory, performed to “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen along with other classic pieces such as “Clair de Lune” by Debussy.
— Eleanor Hildebrandt
10 a.m. –We will be sharing images and footage of the many entertainment choices available today at the State Fair. Our reporters are spreading out across the fairgrounds throughout the day.
— David Taintor
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