The Minnesota State Fair is a premier event for consumers seeking free samples, promotional items, and brand giveaways. The event features hundreds of vendors and exhibitors distributing complimentary merchandise, food samples, and educational materials across the fairgrounds. Free offerings range from branded apparel and household items to native seed packets and agricultural education materials. The fair’s duration, from August 21 to September 1, 2025, provides multiple daily opportunities to access these freebies, though many are subject to limited daily supplies and specific time windows. Access methods vary by vendor, including direct distribution, prize wheel spins, trivia participation, and interactive exhibits. This guide details verified free opportunities available at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair based on official and reputable source materials.
Verified Freebies and Sample Distribution
Several vendors and state agencies offer complimentary items to fairgoers. These opportunities are typically located at specific booths or exhibits and may require participation in a brief activity or demonstration.
Branded Apparel and Household Items
A notable free item is the bucket hat from Bush’s Beans, located on Underwood Street near the Great Giant Wheel. The hats are customizable and available starting at 9 a.m. each day, with a limited daily supply. Vendors have reported that guests begin lining up as early as 8 a.m. to secure these items. A secondary distribution method involves a prize wheel, which may offer a chance to win a hat even if the primary supply is exhausted. Additionally, Bush’s Beans provides free taste testing of baked beans between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. daily.
Adjacent to the Bush’s Beans booth, myTalk 107.1 FM distributes a free spork (spoon and fork combination). This item is described as dishwasher-safe and features a serrated edge. While generally available at the booth, fairgoers may need to ask a staff member to receive one.
Educational and Agricultural Materials
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) booth, located across from the Education Building, offers native seed packets. To receive a packet, participants spin a wheel and answer a trivia question. The seeds are native to Minnesota and intended for planting in home gardens. The booth also distributes free Minnesota road maps.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) exhibit provides multiple free items. A “read and grow” story time is held at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. daily, featuring special guest readers and agriculture-themed books. Children receive a free bookmark with a scannable QR code linking to a list of agriculture-themed books. Visitors can also vote for their favorite way to support local farmers to receive a free Swedish dishcloth. Temporary tattoos featuring Minnesota Grown branding are available for display. The MDA exhibit also hosts a prize wheel with questions about invasive species, though the specific prize for correct answers is not detailed in the source material.
Food and Beverage Samples
Free food samples are available at specific locations and times. Bush’s Beans offers baked bean taste testing between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. daily. Leinenkugel’s provides free beer samples from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily at the Leinie Lodge, located east of Cooper Street between Dan Patch and Judson Avenues.
Children’s Activities and Freebies
The Kemps Little Farm Hands exhibit offers a free agricultural education experience for children ages 3 to 10. Participants engage in pretend farming activities and receive fake money to purchase a real item at the end, all at no cost.
Free Services and Entertainment
Beyond physical samples, the fair offers several no-cost services and entertainment options that provide value to attendees.
Complimentary Charging and Transportation
Free phone charging stations are available at Renewal by Andersen and Bobby & Steve’s Auto World. In previous years, additional stations were located at Ramberg Music Cafe, KARE 11, T-Mobile, TPT | Twin Cities PBS, and six locations powered by Device Pitstop. Free trolleys operate daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (excluding 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. due to the parade) to help attendees navigate the fairgrounds. Trolley routes and stops are marked on the State Fair map.
Free Entertainment and Events
The fair hosts a free daily parade at 2 p.m. along a 14-block route beginning near the Haunted House, proceeding north on Cosgrove Street, west on Randall Avenue, and south on Underwood Street. A free, self-guided history walking tour is available, with brochures at twelve stops on the fairgrounds. Free inflatable axe throwing is offered daily by the Boy Scouts of America. Visitors Plaza hosts free photo opportunities and autograph sessions with the State Fair gopher mascots, Fairchild and Fairborne, at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily.
Digital and Printable Resources
The Minnesota State Fair App provides free access to maps, discounts, and information. Additionally, 11 free printable coloring sheets featuring State Fair mascots, the bandshell, the giant slide, and the grandstand are available on the fair’s website.
Access Methods and Eligibility
The methods for obtaining freebies vary significantly by vendor and often involve specific actions or timing.
- Direct Distribution: Items like the myTalk 107.1 spork and MDA temporary tattoos may be available simply by visiting the booth and requesting them from a staff member.
- Interactive Participation: Many freebies require participation in a game or activity. For example, the MNDOT seed packets require spinning a wheel and answering a trivia question. The MDA story time requires attendance at a scheduled session.
- Time-Sensitive Offers: Some freebies are available only during specific hours or while supplies last. The Bush’s Beans hats have a limited daily supply and an early start time (9 a.m.). Leinenkugel’s beer samples are restricted to the 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. window.
- Age-Based Eligibility: The Kemps Little Farm Hands exhibit is designed for children ages 3-10, though it is noted as most suitable for ages 4-7.
- Purchase Requirements: The sources do not indicate that any of the listed freebies or samples require a purchase. The Kemps exhibit, for instance, is explicitly described as “all FREE.”
Strategies for Maximizing Free Opportunities
To efficiently access free items, attendees should plan their route and timing. Arriving early is critical for high-demand items like the Bush’s Beans hats. Utilizing the official State Fair app or the Deals, Drawings & Giveaways guide can help locate specific booths and track updated offers. For families, scheduling activities like the MDA story time and Kemps Little Farm Hands can provide structured, no-cost entertainment. Bringing a refillable water bottle and taking advantage of free charging stations can reduce ancillary costs. On the final day (Labor Day), vendors may offer additional last-chance deals as they clear inventory, though specific freebie details for this day are not provided in the source material.
Conclusion
The Minnesota State Fair presents a significant opportunity for consumers to access a wide array of free samples, promotional items, and no-cost experiences. Opportunities range from branded apparel and food samples to educational materials and entertainment. Access is generally straightforward, though success depends on timing, location, and participation in vendor activities. While the sources provide extensive information on specific freebies, they do not cover all potential offers or provide real-time updates. Attendees are advised to consult official fair resources, such as the app and Deals, Drawings & Giveaways guide, for the most current information during their visit.