MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Registration Opens for 2026 Minnesota State Fair Competitions

FALCON HEIGHTS, MN (May 8, 2026) Registration is officially underway for competitive exhibits at the 2026 Minnesota State Fair, with organizers inviting Minnesotans statewide to participate in hundreds of contests that remain central to the annual Great Minnesota Get-Together.

The 2026 fair is scheduled to run from Aug. 27 through Labor Day, Sept. 7, at the State Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights. Fair officials say more than $2 million in prize money, scholarships, ribbons, trophies, and awards will be distributed across competitions involving agriculture, livestock, fine arts, baking, photography, crafts, horticulture, music, and performance events.

Widely regarded as one of the largest and most attended state fairs in the United States, the Minnesota State Fair annually attracts nearly two million visitors while serving as a major showcase for Minnesota agriculture, arts, food, youth programming, and community traditions.

Competitive exhibits remain one of the fair’s oldest traditions, with departments ranging from livestock judging and crop exhibitions to creative arts and culinary contests.

Among the largest categories is the Fine Arts competition, which officially opened registration on May 4. The juried exhibition is limited to Minnesota residents, with entry submissions due by July 20 at 4:30 p.m. Accepted artwork will later be displayed in the fair’s Fine Arts Center during the fair run.

The fair’s Creative Activities department includes contests involving garment making, quilting, needlecraft, woodworking, canning, baking, and decorative arts. Officials say several sponsored specialty competitions will again be offered in 2026, including baking contests tied to corporate sponsors and health-focused recipe challenges that award cash prizes and gift cards.

The Minnesota State Fair Amateur Talent Contest, one of the fair’s most visible entertainment competitions, is also accepting applications for auditions.

Auditions are scheduled for July 27 through Aug. 2 at the Luther Auto Bandshell on the fairgrounds. Applications for the contest must be submitted by July 29 at 4 p.m.

The contest features three divisions — Preteen, Teen, and Open — with semifinal performances taking place during the fair. Finalists advance to championship performances held at the State Fair Grandstand on Sept. 6.

Livestock and agricultural competitions continue to represent a major component of the fair’s programming. Categories include dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, rabbits, horses, goats, crops, flowers, and vegetable exhibitions. Registration deadlines for livestock and agriculture departments generally fall in late July or early August depending on category requirements.

The fair’s 2026 Homebrew Competition is scheduled to open registration on June 8. Officials say the competition will be limited to 400 paid entries and restricted to Minnesota residents. Entry fees for the contest are set at $15 per submission.

In addition to cash awards and traditional blue, red, and white rosette ribbons, the fair will again distribute scholarships connected to agricultural education and skilled trades pathways. According to fair materials, up to 22 scholarships worth $1,000 each will be awarded in 2026 to qualifying students pursuing agricultural studies or trade-related programs.

Most contest registrations are handled through the fair’s online competition portal, while department-specific “Premium Books” provide detailed entry rules, class listings, judging standards, deadlines, and exhibit delivery instructions.

Fair officials noted that entry fees vary by department. Some creative activity categories carry nominal fees, while certain youth and community categories remain free to enter.

Known as “The Great Minnesota Get-Together,” the Minnesota State Fair has operated for more than 160 years and remains one of Minnesota’s largest annual civic and cultural gatherings.

Additional registration information, competition schedules, premium books, and official rules are available through the official Minnesota State Fair website.

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