MPR at the Minnesota State Fair

Like corn dogs and ketchup, chocolate chip cookies and cold milk, the Minnesota State Fair and Minnesota Public Radio are a match made in heaven. And this year, Camp MPR returns with even more excitement and adventure!  

Find our booth near the corner of Judson and Nelson, Aug. 22 through Labor Day, Sept. 2, for the most Minnesota experience that ever dared Minnesota! No matter what lights your campfire –camping, canoeing, hiking, snowshoeing, birdwatching, or simply chilling — there's something for everyone at Camp MPR.  

Back by popular demand is The Great Minnesota Giveaway! Sign-up for one of our many email newsletters and step right up and spin our giant wheel for a chance to win exciting prizes – everyone's a winner (and members spin free)! Plus, gear up with exclusive merchandise from YourClassical MPR, The Current, and MPR News. With a one-time $10 (or more) donation or member gift, you can snag a limited-edition MPR tote designed by local Minnesota artist, Madison Holler of Rubinski Works! 

Get your tote with a donation of $10 or more here.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for MPR Day on Aug. 30 at Dan Patch Park. Enjoy activities, giveaways, live performances and more, in a celebration of all things MPR.  

Put on your best state fair flair and make Camp MPR part of your fun at this year’s Great Minnesota Get-Together. 

2024 Camp MPR Stage Performance Schedule (subject to change):

Thursday, August 22nd, 2024   

• 10:30 am – 11:30 am – Little Moments Count presents a live taping of the Early Risers Podcast  

• 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm – MPR News presents Minnesota Now with Cathy Wurzer  

• 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – YourClassical MPR presents a live taping of Project DJ with Steve Staruch   

• 5:30 pm – 6:05 pm – The Current presents MAKR AN ERIS with an intro from Diane  

Friday, August 23rd, 2024  

• 11:00 am – 12:00 pm – MPR News & TPT present a live taping of TPT’s Almanac   

• 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm – Sahan Journal Presents  

• 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm – The Current’s Jessica Paxton Live from the booth w/ performance from American Scarecrows

Saturday, August 24th, 2024  

• 11:00 am – 12:00 pm – Rock The Cradle Pop Up with the Jolly Pops and Smash Boom Best  

• 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm – The Current’s Mac Wilson Live from the booth w/ performance from Mae Simpson  

Sunday, August 25th, 2024  

• 8:00 am – 10:00 am – United States of Americana with The Current’s Bill DeVille  

• 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – The Current’s Bill DeVille Live from the booth with Maggie Rose (11am) 

• 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm – Conversations with Native News - Join the Native News team as they chat with tribal community members during Indigenous Peoples Day at the fair

• 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm – The Current presents Ber

• 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm – The Current presents Ber   

Monday, August 26th, 2024  

• 10:30 am – 11:30 am – MPR News presents Rural Voices with Kerri Miller 

• 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm – MPR News presents North Star Journey Live with Angela Davis, and her special guest Cornbread Harris  

• 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – YourClassical MPR presents The Paper Clips Trombone Quartet  

• 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm – MPR News presents Danger Boat and the Minnesota Humanities Center, performing "Sketches of Minnesota, State Fair Edition"

• 5:30 pm – 6:05 pm – The Current presents Faith Boblett with intro from Diane  

Tuesday, August 27th, 2024  

• 10:30 am – 11:30 am – MPR News presents the MPR News Arts Team  

• 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm – MPR News MN Now with the Twin Cities mayors and ILLism

• 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – YourClassical MPR presents Siama’s Congo Roots  

• 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm – MPR News Talking Sense  

• 5:30 pm – 6:05 pm – The Current presents Goon Tribune intro from Diane 

Wednesday, August 28th, 2024  

• 7:00 am – 10:00 am – The Current Morning Show with Jill Riley  

• 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm – MPR News MN Now: The Weather Quiz with Dr. Mark Seeley  

• 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – YourClassical MPR presents Steam Machine  

• 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm – MPR News Weather Team  

• 5:30 pm – 6:05 pm – The Current presents She’s Green with intro from Diane  

Thursday, August 29th, 2024 

• 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm – MPR News presents Ask a Bookseller 

• 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – YourClassical MPR presents Minnesota Opera  

• 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm – The Sahan Journal Presents  

• 5:30 pm – 6:05 pm – The Current presents The Shackletons with intro from Diane   

Friday, August 30th, 2024 - MPR DAY!  

No performances at Camp MPR, head over to Dan Patch Park! 

MPR Day Schedule @ Dan Patch Park 

• 10:30 pm – 11:30 am – The Current and Radio Heartland presents The Twins of Franklin   

• 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm – MPR News presents “Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me” host Peter Sagal in conversation with MPR’s Tom Crann

• 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm - YourClassical MPR presents Minnesota Winds

• 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm – The Current presents FénixDion   

• 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm – The Current presents NUR-D  

Saturday, August 31st, 2024  

• 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm – Saturday Cinema 10th Anniversary at the State Fair with Lynne Warfel  

• 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Carbon Sound presents Obi Original 

• 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Carbon Sound presents Ozone Creations.  

Sunday, September 1st, 2024  

• 11:00 am – 12:00 pm – Pat Donohue, Richard Kriehn, & Dan Newton     

• 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Pat Donohue, Richard Kriehn, & Dan Newton 

• 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Siama’s Congo Roots  

• 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Siama’s Congo Roots 

Monday, September 2nd, 2024 

• 11:00 am – 12:00 pm – Davina and the Vagabonds

• 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Davina and the Vagabonds

• 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Amanda Grace Trio   

• 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Amanda Grace Trio  

2024 MPR Day sponsors:

Official Minnesota State Fair Resources

Official web site for the Minnesota State Fair
State Fairground map for reference
Official fair finder to locate food, booths, shops