Minnesota State Fair visitors will have a new free Grandstand concert option after organizers announced that Hairball and special guest Slave Raider will perform Tuesday, September 1.

The concert will begin at 7 p.m. at the State Fair Grandstand. The venue will open at 6 p.m., and seating will be general admission.

The performance is free with paid State Fair admission. No separate Grandstand ticket will be required, although seating will remain subject to available capacity.

Hairball is known for theatrical performances celebrating arena-rock music, complete with changing costumes, lights, pyrotechnic effects and songs associated with prominent rock acts from the 1970s and 1980s.

Slave Raider, a Minneapolis-based hard-rock band that developed a regional following during the 1980s, will appear as the special guest.

The concert replaces the previously scheduled performance by Rod Stewart with Richard Marx. The State Fair announced that the original September 1 concert had been canceled by the artist.

People who purchased tickets for the canceled performance should follow the refund instructions issued through the original authorized ticketing provider. Admission to the replacement concert does not require exchanging the canceled ticket.

Although the Grandstand concert is free, visitors must still purchase regular State Fair admission. Fair admission prices, transportation information, parking availability and gate policies are available through the official Minnesota State Fair website.

Because seating is unreserved, concertgoers should consider arriving before the Grandstand doors open. Capacity information and any day-of operational changes will be posted by the State Fair.

The concert is scheduled for:

Date: Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Time: 7 p.m.
Doors: 6 p.m.
Venue: Minnesota State Fair Grandstand
Address: 1265 Snelling Avenue N., Saint Paul, MN 55108
Admission: Free with paid Minnesota State Fair admission
Seating: General admission
Separate ticket: Not required

Complete information is available through the official Hairball and Slave Raider concert page and the State Fair’s 2026 updates page.

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