The Minnesota State Fair offers a vast array of free items, samples, and experiences beyond the cost of admission. For attendees who pay the standard $20 fee, numerous vendors and exhibitors provide complimentary merchandise, food samples, and interactive activities. This guide details the types of freebies available, their locations, and specific conditions for obtaining them, based on official information and verified reports. The offerings span categories relevant to consumers, including household goods, food and beverage, children's items, and educational materials.
Free Merchandise and Promotional Items
A significant portion of the freebies consists of branded merchandise and practical items. These are typically distributed at vendor booths throughout the fairgrounds, often on a first-come, first-served basis due to limited daily supplies.
Apparel and Accessories - Bush’s Beans (Underwood Street, near the Great Giant Wheel) distributes customizable bucket hats and trucker hats. Distribution begins at 9:00 a.m., with some visitors reportedly lining up as early as 8:00 a.m. to secure items. A limited supply is available each day. Additionally, between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., the booth offers free taste testing of their baked beans. - myTalk 107.1 FM (located next to Bush’s Beans on Underwood Street) gives away a new and improved spork (spoon and fork combination). The spork is dishwasher-safe and features a serrated edge. Attendees may need to request this item from a staff member. - Visit Bemidji (Education Building) provides a Babe the Blue Ox foam hat, tote bag, and guide book for visitors interested in tourism for that Minnesota city. - Blue Flame Lodge (Nelson Street between Carnes and Dan Patch Avenues, across from the Giant Slide) distributes yardsticks, can koozies, and key chains, among other items.
Household and Practical Goods - Minnesota Rusco (Lower Grandstand) offers a back scratcher, rain poncho, and rubber duck to those who sign up for free estimates on home improvement projects. - Project Turnabout (Education Building) provides backpacks, rain ponchos, pens, and fly swatters, alongside educational materials on compulsive gambling and chemical dependency recovery. - KaiBi Mobile Family Care Center (West side of Underwood Street between Carnes and Judson Avenues) gives out reusable hot/cold packs, mini bubble wands, fidget toys, and push pops. This climate-controlled space is designed for parents to handle diaper changes and feedings. - Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) (across from the Education Building) offers Minnesota road maps. To receive a map, attendees spin a wheel and answer a trivia question.
Beauty and Personal Care - The Minnesota Star Tribune (Carnes Avenue in front of the Grandstand) gives away free lip balm daily. The 2025 flavor is Norway Pine.
Food and Beverage Samples
Free food and beverage samples are available at various locations, providing a way to taste products without additional cost.
Beverage Samples - Leinenkugel’s (Leinie Lodge, located east of Cooper Street between Dan Patch and Judson Avenues) provides free beer samples daily from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. - Bush’s Beans (Underwood Street) offers free taste testing of their baked beans from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. daily.
Food Samples and Educational Food Experiences - Minnesota Grown Program (Minnesota Department of Agriculture Exhibit) features farmer-members who answer questions about food production. Attendees can receive a free Swedish dishcloth when they vote for their favorite way to support local farmers. - Kemps Little Farm Hands Exhibit offers a free agricultural education experience for children ages 3-10 (most suitable for ages 4-7). Children pretend to farm and, at the end, use fake money to purchase a real item, all at no cost.
Free Activities and Experiences
Beyond physical items, the fair provides numerous free activities and services.
Interactive and Educational Booths - Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Exhibit offers "read and grow" story times at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 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. The exhibit also features a prize wheel with questions about invasive species. - Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) booth allows visitors to spin a wheel and answer a trivia question to receive a native seed packet (plants native to Minnesota) in addition to road maps. - Minnesota Native Landscapes (West side of Underwood Street between Murphy and Lee Avenues) provides native seed packets and education on making yards pollinator-friendly. - Free History Walking Tour is a self-guided tour of State Fair history. Brochures for the tour are available at twelve stops on the fairgrounds.
Recreational Activities - Boy Scouts of America offers free inflatable axe throwing daily. - Photos with the Mascots are available at Visitors Plaza at 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. each day with the State Fair gopher mascots, Fairchild and Fairborne.
Services and Convenience - Free Phone Charging is available at specific locations, including Renewal by Andersen and Bobby & Steve’s Auto World. In the past, additional stations were located at Ramberg Music Cafe, KARE 11, T-Mobile, TPT | Twin Cities PBS, and six locations powered by Device Pitstop. - Free Trolley service operates from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily (except from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. due to the parade) on two routes. Stops are marked by signs on the fairgrounds map. - Free Parade occurs daily at 2:00 p.m. along a 14-block route beginning near the Haunted House and proceeding north on Cosgrove Street, west on Randall Avenue, and south on Underwood Street. - Hand Stamps are available for re-entry on the same day. Attendees can obtain a hand stamp upon exiting and return later without paying an additional admission fee.
Free Materials for Planning and Education
Several resources are available to help attendees plan their visit and access additional freebies.
- Minnesota State Fair App is a free download that provides maps, discounts, and information.
- Free State Fair Coloring Sheets can be printed from the official State Fair website. There are 11 designs available, including mascots, the bandshell, the giant slide, and the grandstand.
- Deals, Drawings & Giveaways Guide is updated throughout the fair and lists current freebie opportunities. Attendees are advised to consult this guide.
- Gluten-Free Foods List is compiled by Twin Cities ROCK and available on their website or at their booth on the fairgrounds.
Eligibility and Access Considerations
While most freebies are available to all fairgoers, some are tied to specific activities or demographics.
- Age Restrictions: The Kemps Little Farm Hands exhibit is designed for children ages 3-10, with the most suitable age range being 4-7.
- Activity-Based Distribution: Many items are contingent on participation in an activity, such as signing up for a newsletter (e.g., Minnesota Grown), filling out a survey, or answering a trivia question (e.g., MNDOT).
- Limited Supply: Several items, such as the Bush’s Beans bucket hats, have a limited daily supply. Early arrival is often recommended.
- Discount Days: While not a freebie, the fair offers discounted admission on specific days, which can make attending more affordable. Discount days for 2025 include Opening Day (August 21), Seniors Day (August 28), Military Appreciation Day (August 26), and Kids Day (August 27 and September 1). On these days, certain groups (seniors, military, children) pay $15 instead of the regular $18 or $20 fee.
Conclusion
The Minnesota State Fair provides a wide selection of free items and experiences that extend the value of the admission ticket. From branded merchandise like hats and sporks to practical goods such as rain ponchos and seed packets, and from food samples to educational activities, the offerings cater to families, deal seekers, and general attendees. Access to these freebies typically requires visiting specific vendor booths, often with early arrival recommended for limited-supply items. Utilizing official resources like the fair app and the Deals, Drawings & Giveaways guide can help attendees maximize their access to these complimentary offerings.