Founded in 2002 by visionaries who believed in the importance of ensuring a bright future for the Minnesota State Fair, the Foundation has accomplished so much in the past 20 years by granting over $16 million for projects and improvements across the fairgrounds. From exciting new buildings and programs, to taking care of our trees, sidewalks and historic buildings, donors to the Foundation can see their mark in all corners of the fairgrounds.
We’re grateful for all that we have been able to accomplish in the past 20 years, but we need to start with giving credit where credit is due – to YOU, our amazing supporters!
It is because of your support over the years that the Foundation has enjoyed such success and has been able to support the State Fair through some of its toughest times.
We invite you to read about donors like you who love the fair (scroll down) and we look forward to celebrating the Minnesota State Fair with you for years to come.
Donor Stories and Accomplishments
Donor Profile: Dale Raduenz
Danyl Vavreck, MN State Fair Foundation staff, says, “Dale is an amazingly well-rounded Foundation donor who has tapped just about everything we do. My story with Dale starts in the summer of 2018 when I met him at the J.V. Bailey House during the Minnesota State Fair and learned…
Donor Profile: Donna Swedin
In 1999, even before moving to Minnesota, Donna Swedin attended her first Minnesota State Fair and hasn’t missed one since! Donna grew up on the East Coast, and her partner, Phil Whipple, is an Illinois farm kid and former member of 4-H. They agree it is the best state…
Donor Profile: Jerry Hammer
Jerry Hammer, the long-time CEO of the Minnesota State Fair, has spent his entire working life (53 years) at the fair and will retire this coming spring (congratulations!). Jerry’s fondness of this institution beams brightly wherever he goes. The legacy he leaves at the State Fair is immense, including…
Donor Profile: Padilla
A milestone anniversary doesn’t happen every day, and we wanted to make sure that all Minnesotans heard about the Foundation’s 20th anniversary during the 2022 Minnesota State Fair! Enter Padilla, a leading public relations firm based in Minneapolis, with promotion and media relation support to help the Foundation get the word…
Donor Profile: Dave and Erika Rustad
Dave and Erika Rustad both grew up with the Minnesota State Fair, have celebrated many special milestones during the annual 12 days, and consider making memories and traditions at the fair an important part of their family’s experience. The Rustads have been Grand Champion donors of the Foundation (giving…
Donor Profile: Sherry Turner Oleson
Sherry Turner Oleson is a long-term donor to the Minnesota State Fair Foundation who discovered her love for the Minnesota State Fair through her father’s participation in various fair events and activities. “The Minnesota State Fair is one of the best in the United States. It offers people the…
Donor Profile: Joe Fox
Joe Fox’s connection to the Minnesota State Fair started when he was a 4-H exhibitor as a youth in Dakota County. He spent his career working for the University of Minnesota Extension Service in a variety of roles, staying connected to 4-H, county fairs and the Minnesota State Fair.…
Donor Profile: Efrain Ortiz from Vagabond Imports of South America
Efrain Ortiz and his family have been involved with the fair as a vendor since 1968. The Minnesota State Fair has been an important part of their family history. His company, Vagabond Imports of South America, has been supporting the Minnesota State Fair Foundation since 2004, giving to the…
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Donor Profile: Dave Lorenz
Dave Lorenz and his family love the fair. When looking for ways to celebrate the family’s memories at the State Fair, and honor the memory of their youngest daughter, the Minnesota State Fair Foundation’s recognition bench program was a perfect fit. How long have you been involved with the…
Donor Profile: Larry and Amanda Konsterlie
Larry and Amanda Konsterlie own and operate a 2,500-acre farm raising corn, soybeans and alfalfa in West Central Minnesota. They are fourth-generation farmers and were honored as a Century Farm by the Minnesota State Fair and Minnesota Farm Bureau in 2014. Larry’s connection to the State Fair started by…
Donor Profile: Sara Werzel
Sara Werzel loves history, and she loves the Minnesota State Fair. She and her husband have been supporting the History and Heritage program area of the Foundation for years, and were eager to be a part of the Foundation’s largest campaign- the development of the State Fair History &…
Donor Profile: Solem Concessions
Samantha Bluhm and the team at Solem Concessions debuted as vendors at the 2021 Minnesota State Fair with their blueberry mini-donuts and cajun-flavored cheese curds, winning a “One of the Best” award. They were thrilled to be invited to participate as a vendor, and thought it was important to…
History and Heritage
Celebrating 20 years of Preserving the historic buildings, programs and traditions of the State Fair Not only has the Minnesota State Fair been a tradition for generations of families for over 160 years, it has also reflected and shaped the culture of Minnesota and beyond. To preserve this rich…
Agriculture and Agricultural Education
Celebrating 20 years of making an impact in Agriculture and Agricultural Education at the State Fair and beyond Agriculture is at the heart of the State Fair’s origins and it is core to what we do today. Agricultural exhibitors at the fair are passionate about their role in feeding…
Donor Profile: Joel and Teresa Anderson
Joel and Teresa Anderson grew up going to the fair and moved to the neighborhood when they bought their first house. They have entered competitions in various Creative Activities categories, as well as the crop art and scarecrow divisions. Joel has been a volunteer with the Foundation for years.…
Donor Profile: Arne Shulstad
Arne Shulstad grew up helping his dad set up the Agriculture Horticulture building when he was the Superintendent of Crops (late 1950s to 1974). Arne lives in Colorado now, but is a Minnesotan at heart and loves his state fair. He has been a Friend of the Fair since…
Donor Profile: Susan Milteer
Susan Milteer has a lot of memories from her time working in the Publicity Office at the Minnesota State Fair in the 60s. She and her husband, Richard, started supporting the Minnesota State Fair Foundation in 2019 as Friends of the Fair in honor of all of these happy…
Donor Profile: Kari Willey
Kari Willey is an evangelist for the Minnesota State Fair Foundation- she LOVES the Minnesota State Fair and regularly encourages friends, family and fair guests to support the fair by becoming Friends of the Fair. We are so pleased to call her a Friend and volunteer. You can find…
Donor Profile: Ron Jacobson
Ron Jacobson is an enthusiastic supporter of both the Minnesota State Fair AND the Minnesota State Fair Foundation that supports it. He’s been involved with the Foundation since its first fair and has been giving his time and financial support since. He encourages supporters to consider giving through their…
Donor Profile: Jerry and Jan Albrecht
Jerry and Jan Albrecht have a long history of being involved in Dairy programs at the Minnesota State Fair and county fairs. They met as 4-Hers in Renville County, ran a Holstein dairy farm near Watertown, MN for 40 years and have been recognized for their many contributions to…
Donor Profile: Christy Szitta
Christy Szitta celebrates her birthday at the fair and has many good memories of going with friends and family. She learned about the Minnesota State Fair Foundation at Taste of the Fair, and has been supporting the fair she loves since. What are some of your happiest moments/stories at…
Accessibility Improvements on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds
Celebrating 20 years of Improving the fairgrounds environment to be universally accessible, green and welcoming for all Foundation supporters have made an impact in making the fairgrounds more accessible and a better experience for everyone who visits, from improvements to the fairgrounds and accommodations for fair guests, to supporting…
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Donor Profile: Donald Lewis and Michael Fridgen
We met with Donald and Michael for this interview at their apartment in The North Loop, Minneapolis, with a view of Target Field, the Grain Belt sign and downtown. It was December, and their apartment was decorated for Christmas: Holiday cards from their travels are framed in the doorway,…
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