The Minnesota State Fair announced earlier this week there will be some new updates for the 2016 version of the Great Minnesota Get-Together-- but will ticket prices be increasing?

Minnesota State Fair
Minnesota State Fair
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The answer to that question, according to a State Fair release earlier this week, is no, they won't. The release says that, despite the fair’s board of managers approving a maintenance budget featuring $6.8 million improvements, admission prices "will remain the same as last year. Adults (13-64) will be admitted for $13; seniors (65+) and children (5-12) for $11; and children (under 5) for free. Pre-fair discount admission tickets will remain $10. Parking fees will remain $13."

So just what new features can we expect to see this summer? Well, how about "a new Family Fair Stage at Baldwin Park; a new restroom in the Kidway block; upgrades to horse stalls in the Horse Barn; paving the Transit Hub; a new pedestrian walkway through the Adventure Park block; replacement of the main electrical switch gear and transformers; two new information booth structures; and dozens of miscellaneous paint, electrical, sewer, street and sidewalk repair and maintenance projects," the release said.

While those are all no doubt necessary and needed improvements, there wasn't anything too exciting in that list, at least for me. I was kind of hoping maybe they'd expand the seating capacity at the Ball Park Cafe (where you can get one of my favorite fair items: Lift Bridge's Mini Donut Beer!)

Of course, there'll no doubt be some new foods at this year's Fair, which will be unveiled later this year. And more grandstand acts, too, in addition to the already-announced shows, like the Dixie Chicks (who even added an extra day, as well, on Aug. 28th). It's never too early to think warm thoughts about a classic summer event, is it?

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