2024 Minnesota State Fair ties 2018, 2019 for most daily records broken
FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. — Despite a power outage and historic severe storms, the 2024 Minnesota State Fair tied 2018 and 2019 for the distinction of setting five daily attendance records.
Fair officials say 1,925,904 people enjoyed the Great Minnesota Get-Together this year, the best turnout since before the pandemic.
The 2019 fair remains the benchmark for overall yearly attendance with a record of 2,126,551 visitors.
While this Labor Day's tally of 175,889 visitors fell short of the record set in 2019 by about 9,000 people, the fair's second Sunday drew 256,015 visitors, beating the record set in 2019 by more than 10,000. Besides the lovely weather, the presence of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was a major factor, with thousands clamoring to see the Democratic vice presidential nominee in person.
By comparison, attendance on the first Sunday this year was down sharply compared to previous years, with just 134,644 visitors.
The second Friday saw the fair's biggest single-day crowd this year with 225,521 people, also breaking the second Friday record set in 2019.
The first Wednesday was just barely a record-setter. With 145,531 visitors, it beat the record set in 2018 by just about 600 people.
Severe storms on Aug. 26 led to the fair's lowest turnout of the year with just 80,546 visitors. The cleanup effort also led fair officials to delay opening the gates on Tuesday — a first in fair history.
On the fair's first Friday, a record 171,233 fairgoers were tallied, breaking 2023's shortlived milestone of 164,741.
And a new first-day record was set on Aug. 22 with 138,875 fairgoers, breaking the 2019 record by more than 5,000 visitors.
Almost every daily record for high attendance has been set in the last decade, with the only major exception being that of the first Sunday. Back in 1994, 209,969 people came to the fair on the fourth day, a record that's proven difficult to surmount. The performers at the Grandstand that evening? Reba McEntire, John Michael Montgomery and Bill Engvall.
Perhaps the most popular attraction with each new year at the fair is the new foods. With nearly three dozen new offerings and six new vendors, there was plenty for fairgoers to sample.
Deep-fried ranch was one of the divisive new items of the fair. Manager Max Burrows of Lulu's Public House said there's a chance it returns next year.
"It is a controversial item and I think that's kind of the beauty behind it," Burrows said.
Click here to see what some of the WCCO team's favorite foods are, and click here to see the best new "hidden" food options!
