Minnesota Public Radio at the State Fair!

 

Visit the Minnesota Public Radio booth on the corner of Judson & Nelson at the Minnesota State Fair to meet your favorite host, see an important interview, ask an on-air question, or just relax and digest to the sounds of live or recorded music. Join us Friday, August 31 for MPR Day in Carousel Park for even more live broadcasts and events.

Live Broadcast and Event Listings

mpr day

 
Audio Tour Peter Haakon Thompson

Local artist Peter Haakon Thompson is your guide through the State Fair landscape. Through his auto-ethnographic tour, you'll hit all the great stops, and learn the difference between a pronto pup and a corn dog.

Take the tour >>
Become A Member

From its start in 1967 right up to today, Minnesota Public Radio would not exist without community support. We want to bring that message to you at the fair, too. We'll have membership specialists at our booth to tell you about all the benefits of signing up—which you can do right at the booth!

Support MPR >>
Pretty Good Goods 89.3 The Current ShirtFind your favorite mugs, books and CDs at our State Fair booth—all purchases go towards supporting Minnesota Public Radio.

Pretty Good Deals >>
Features
Stories about the Fair from Minnesota Public Radio News:
State Fair

Garrison Keillor at Minnesota State Fair

Grandstanding at the Fair >>

 

live broadcast and event listings

Thursday, August 23

At the Booth [Show me]

  • 11 am–1 pm
    Midday 11 am hour features guest meteorologist Mark Seeley. The noon hour will feature former Governor's Wendell Anderson and Arne Carlson.
  • 3–7 pm
    The Current live broadcast with Mary Lucia. Mary's guest is Chris Osgood from the Suicide Commandos.
  • 7–10 pm
    The Current live broadcast with Mark Wheat

Friday, August 24

At the Booth [Show me]

Saturday, August 25

At the Booth [Show me]

  • 10 am–noon
    Classical MPR live broadcast with Alison Young. Guests include Vocalessence and conductor Philip Brunelle; Guthrie Theater artistic director Joe Dowling; flutist Linda Chatterton; trumpeter Marty Hodel and friends.
  • 3–7 pm
    The Current live broadcast with Bill DeVille
  • 7–11 pm
    Radio Free Current live broadcast with Jill Riley

Sunday, August 26

At the Booth [Show me]

    1 pm
  • The Noisy Hour with host Nanci Olesen and the Brass Messengers
    A boisterous family hour hosted by "How's the Family's" Nanci Olesen. Olesen's brought together the noisiest people she knows in the "outdoor arts" on the stage at the MPR booth. Featured guests include the Brass Messengers, juggler and fire-eater Sean Emery, spoken-word artist Sha Cage, hula-hoopist Aerial Emery, and more... Bring the family!
    • 3–7 pm
  • The Current live broadcast with Barb Abney
    • 7–10 pm
  • The Current live broadcast with Danny Sigelman

Monday, August 27

At the Booth [Show me]

Tuesday, August 28

At the Booth [Show me]

  • 9–11 am
    Midmorning live broadcast. MPR meteorologist Paul Huttner will be Kerri Miller's guest in the 9 a.m. hour. Paul talks about Minnesota's strange mix of weather and why we've dodged tornados this year. 10 am guests are The Current DJs, Mark Wheat and Bill DeVille.
  • 1 pm
    Maria Isa Live Performance Born to Newyorican parents and raised on St. Paul's west side, Maria Isa is a rising reggaeton sensation. Growing up around the sounds of classic salsa, jazz, soul r&b, and experiencing the sounds of hip-hop through each genre of music, Isa has been hitting up the local twin cities hip-hop community with the hip-hop group Many Styles.
  • 3–7 pm
    The Current live broadcast with Mary Lucia
  • 7–10 pm
    The Current live broadcast with Mark Wheat

Wednesday, August 29

At the Booth [Show me]

Thursday, August 30

At the Booth [Show me]

friday, August 31: MPR Day at the Fair

At Carousel Park [Show me]

  • 11 am
    Midday live broadcast with Senator Amy Klobuchar
  • Noon
    Midday live broadcast with guest Garrison Keillor
  • 2 pm
    The Minnesota Opera live performance with Mindy Ratner
  • 4 pm
    Walker Kong live performance

At the Booth [Show me]

At the Grandstand [Show me]

  • 8 pm
    A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor live performance, with guests Patty Griffin, Jearlyn Steele and the Hornheads. (Ticket Information)

Saturday, September 1

At the Booth [Show me]

Sunday, September 2

At the Booth [Show me]

Monday, September 3

At the Booth [Show me]

  • 11 am–1 pm
    Midday live broadcast with sports commentator Howard Sinker and Summer Movies with Stephanie Curtis, MPR's Movie Maven.
  • 3–7 pm
    The Current live broadcast with Mark Wheat