What are the benefits of Friends of the Fair membership?
When does my Friend of the Fair Membership expire?
Friend of the Fair memberships run annually from August 1 through the next year’s State Fair. For example, memberships purchased on or after August 1st, 2024 would expire after the 2025 State Fair.
If you are unsure if you need to renew, call 651-288-4327 or email info@msffoundation.org.
When do I get my admission tickets?
Admission tickets for members begin at the Yellow Ribbon ($50) level and above and will be emailed in August.
When do I get my benefits?
Friends of the Fair will also be able to pick up their other goodies at our tent outside the J.V. Bailey House during the fair!
During pick-up, you’ll choose between a Blue Ribbon Bargain Book and an Annual Friends of the Fair pin. You’ll also receive your Friend of the Fair ribbon and State FairWear Gift Shop coupon.
I didn’t receive my admission tickets, who do I contact?
Please call us at 651-288-4327.
Can I get a membership through a Donor-Advised Fund?
Thank you for your interest in giving to the Minnesota State Fair Foundation through a donor-advised fund! Since a grant from a donor-advised fund may not receive tangible benefits, any gift toward a Friends of the Fair membership will still receive a ribbon, gift shop discount, pre-sale Grandstand access (when applicable), and invitations to behind-the-scenes events (when applicable). Tangible benefits such as State Fair admission tickets, Blue Ribbon Bargain Book, or Friends of the Fair pin will be waived.
Can I get a membership through a Family Foundation?
Thank you for your interest in giving to the Minnesota State Fair Foundation through a Family Foundation! Since a grant from a Family Foundation may not receive tangible benefits, any gift toward a Friends of the Fair membership will still receive a ribbon, gift shop discount, pre-sale Grandstand access (when applicable), and invitations to behind-the-scenes events (when applicable). Tangible benefits such as State Fair admission tickets, Blue Ribbon Bargain Book, or Friends of the Fair pin will be waived.
Can I get a membership with my IRA?
Thank you for your interest in giving to the Minnesota State Fair Foundation through your IRA! Since a gift from your IRA may not receive tangible benefits, any gift toward a Friends of the Fair membership will still receive a ribbon, gift shop discount, pre-sale Grandstand access (when applicable), and invitations to behind-the-scenes events (when applicable). Tangible benefits such as State Fair admission tickets, Blue Ribbon Bargain Book, or Friends of the Fair pin will be waived.
Can I get a membership through a payroll deduction?
Thank you for your interest in giving to the Minnesota State Fair Foundation through your employer’s payroll deduction program! Since a gift through an employer payroll deduction may not receive tangible benefits, any gift toward a Friends of the Fair membership will still receive a ribbon, gift shop discount, pre-sale Grandstand access (when applicable), and invitations to behind-the-scenes events (when applicable). Tangible benefits such as State Fair admission tickets, Blue Ribbon Bargain Book, or Friends of the Fair pin will be waived.
My employer matches my gift. Can I apply that match to my membership?
Employer matches generally cannot be applied towards memberships as most of these gifts require that no goods or services be provided in association with the gift.
Is my membership tax-deductible?
Your membership donation is tax-deductible to the extent that it exceeds the fair market value of goods and services you receive, which vary depending on membership level. The Minnesota State Fair Foundation’s Federal Tax ID # is 41-201-3696. Please contact the Foundation at 651-288-4327 for additional information.
I donated a bench/table this year. Do I get member benefits?
Benches and Tables are fully tax-deductible and are not a part of the Friends of the Fair membership program. The bench and table program ended in 2024.
Can I change my membership to a higher category?
Yes, you may upgrade your membership to a higher category at any time by calling 651-288-4327.
Can I purchase a membership as a gift for someone else?
Yes, please call us at 651-288-4327 or order online at msffoundation.org/friends-of-the-fair.
Where does the money from my membership fee go?
The Minnesota State Fair Foundation is the 501(c)(3) organization partner to the Minnesota State Fair. Through membership contributions, the Foundation helps the State Fair continue to thrive as a leading cultural and educational organization. Learn more about the Foundation’s relationship to the Minnesota State Fair here.
Friends of the Fair Grandstand Presale Benefit
What is the Grandstand Presale Access benefit?
Grandstand presale access is a “thank you” to our Friends of the Fair members at the Red Ribbon level ($100) and above. The Minnesota State Fair Ticket Office sets aside Grandstand Concert Series tickets specifically for Friends of the Fair, which typically go on sale the day before the public on-sale.
How do I sign up?
To be eligible for Grandstand presale access, become a Friend of the Fair at the Red Ribbon level ($100) or above. To ensure that your membership is processed in time, you must make your gift online or over the phone by noon the day before the presale.
For example, if a show will have a public on-sale on Friday, April 10, the presale will be Thursday, April 9. The deadline to receive presale access would be Wednesday, April 8 at 12 p.m.
(Details and dates will be available as shows are announced by the Minnesota State Fair)
How do I purchase tickets?
Eligible Friends of the Fair will receive an email before the presale begins with a link to the ticketing website and your Friends of the Fair ID number. When the presale begins, click the link and you’ll be able to select and purchase tickets. You will need to enter your Friends of the Fair ID number during checkout.
What is my Friends of the Fair ID number?
Your Friends of the Fair ID number is a password that allows you to purchase your tickets during the presale. It is included in the thank you letter that you received in the mail when you made your gift. You will also receive the number via email once your membership is processed by the Ticket Office.
To ensure you receive this email, please add info@msffoundation.org to your safe senders list or contacts list. Occasionally this email will go to a spam folder – if you do not see it in your inbox, please check your spam folder or promotions tab (if using Gmail) as well.
What if I can’t find my Friends of the Fair ID email?
Occasionally this email will go to a spam folder – if you do not see it in your inbox, please check your spam folder or promotions tab (if using Gmail) as well. You will receive the number via email once your membership is processed by the Ticket Office. To ensure you receive future emails, please add info@msffoundation.org to your safe senders list or contacts list.
Further questions? Call 651-288-4325.
Where are the seats?
Friends of the Fair presale seats vary from concert to concert due to different contract requirements from each artist. We cannot guarantee seats in a specific area, but the Ticket Office does a great job of reserving a good mix of seats for Friends of the Fair in various locations throughout the Grandstand. Friends of the Fair seating does not typically include seats in the front rows.
What if I have a problem with the website?
If you do not have Internet access or experience technical difficulties, you may contact the Ticket Office directly at 651-288-4467.