Reduced admission–Adults (13 & over) $11; Kids (5–12) $8. All-day discounts are offered on Mighty Midway and Kidway rides and games. Many merchandise and food vendors offer special Thrifty Thursday bargains for all fair guests.

MUSIC

GRANDSTAND: Toby Keith: With Colt Ford. 7:30 p.m.

DNR PARK: Darlene and the Boys: 10 a.m., noon, 2 & 4 p.m.; Ecuador Manta: 7 p.m.

EDUCATION BUILDING: Young Fiddlers Association: 10 & 11 a.m.

INTERNATIONAL BAZAAR: Axis Mundi: 10:45 a.m., noon & 1:15 p.m.; Spanish Flamenco Guitar and Dance: Noon, 1:30, 3 & 4:30 p.m.; Los Conocidos: 3:15, 4:30 & 5:45 p.m.; Hitchville: 7:30 & 8:45 p.m.

LEINIE LODGE BAND SHELL: The Railers: 10:30 & 11:45 a.m.; Tonic Sol-Fa: 1 & 2:30 p.m.; Chad Brownlee: 3:30 & 4:45 p.m.; Blood, Sweat and Tears Featuring Bo Bice: 8:30 p.m.

RAMBERG SENIOR CENTER: Mark Stillman: 10:30, 11:45 a.m. & 1 p.m.; Pop Wagner and Bob Bovee: 3:15, 4:30 & 5:45 p.m.

SCHILLING AMPHITHEATER: Sarah Morris: 10:30, 11:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.; The Rockin' Pinecones: 2, 3 & 4 p.m.; Chastity Brown: 7:30 p.m.

FAMILY FARE

4-H BUILDING: 4-H State Arts-In Musical Performance: 11:30 a.m., 5 & 7:30 p.m.; 4-H Chef for a Day Cook-Off: 2 & 6 p.m.

CAROUSEL PARK: Chemistry with Alpha Chi Sigma: 9 a.m. & 1 p.m.; Physics Force: 10 a.m., noon & 2 p.m.; The Bakken Museum: 11 a.m. & 3 p.m.; University of Minnesota Raptor Center: 4 p.m.

CATTLE BARN AND ANNEX: Moo Booth: Cow milking, fun & educational activities, dairy and beef cattle showcase, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; My American Farm: 11 a.m.; Moo Live: 11:30 a.m., 12:45 & 3 p.m.; Video Presentations: Noon, 1:30 & 2 p.m.; Moo Quiz Show: 5:30 p.m.; Moo Sample Station: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

DNR PARK: Fish Pond Talks: Quarter to the hour. 9:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.; Last Chance Forever: The Bird of Prey Conservancy: 11 a.m., 2 & 4 p.m.; Animals Nobody Loves: 11 a.m.; Adopt-a-River Trash Sculpture: 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Smokey Bear: 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.; Emerald Ash Borer: Noon & 2 p.m.

EDUCATION BUILDING: High School Robotics Competition: 10 a.m., noon & 3 p.m.; Minnesota Square Dance Federation: Noon; Duniya Drum & Dance: 10:30 & 11:30 a.m., 12:30, 1:30 p.m.; Collide Theatrical Dance Company: 3, 4, 5 & 6 p.m.

FAMILY FAIR/BALDWIN PARK: Alphabet Forest: Alphabet activities for all ages. Take pictures with Fair Letters, create alphabet Ferris wheels and more. Daily author appearances, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Great Big Sandbox: Dig, scoop and burrow your way through this sandbox for kids. 8 a.m.; Heebie Jeebies Family Comedy Music Show, 10:30, 11:30 a.m., 3 p.m.; Sean Emery: 12:30 & 5 p.m.; Break-Shop Bump'N: 1:30, 4 & 6 p.m.; Minnesota State Fair County Fair Talent Contest, 7 p.m.; Lasertainment's Laser Hits Show: High-powered aerial laser beams dance above guests while colorful images light up a gigantic screen — all choreographed to music. Located outdoors at the intersection of Cosgrove St. and Randall Av. 9:15 p.m.

HORSE BARN: EquiMania: An interactive education center for horse lovers. 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

LEINIE LODGE BAND SHELL: Amateur Talent Contest, 6 p.m.

LITTLE FARM HANDS: A hands-on agricultural experience for children. 8 a.m.; Seed Survivor: An interactive exhibit that encourages children to understand the elements plants need to grow. 8 a.m.; Old Iron Show: Rare, valuable and fully operational antique farm equipment is displayed. Located on Lee Av., north of Little Farm Hands. 8 a.m.

STATE FAIR MALL PARADE: A 14-block route through the fairgrounds and features a high school marching band competition, visiting royalty, floats and special attractions. 2 p.m.

MIRACLE OF BIRTH CENTER: Career Opportunities in Veterinary Medicine: In the Nursery of Knowledge. 10 a.m., 4 p.m.; Thank a Farmer Magic Show: Noon, 4 & 6 p.m.

NORTHWOODS: Extreme Canines Stunt Dog Show: 11 a.m., 2 & 4:30 p.m.; Timberworks Lumberjack Show: Noon, 3, 5:30 & 7 p.m.

PET CENTER: Giant Sing Along: A participatory public art installation that invites guests to belt out tunes. On Murphy Av. across from the Pet Center. 9 a.m.

PROGRESS CENTER/ECO EXPERIENCE: Healthy Local Food Films: 7 p.m.

SCHILLING AMPHITHEATER: Ventriloquist James Wedgwood: 5:30 p.m.

SWINE BARN, MINNESOTA STATE FAIRGROUNDS: Oink Booth: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Pig Tales: 11 a.m.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DRIVEN TO DISCOVER: Choices, Choices, Choices: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Distracted Driving Simulator: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fitness After 55: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Gopher Kids Study: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Make the Grade in Diabetes Control: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; R U @ Rsk 4 T1D? 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Spill the Beans Study: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; The Kid Talk Study: How Do Kids Think About Language?: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Learn Your Lipids for Prevention of Familial Heart Disease: 3 p.m.-9 p.m.; Familial Cancer Testing Study: 3 p.m.-9 p.m.; Understanding Fitness' Function in Determining Activity Study: 3 p.m.-9 p.m.

VISITORS PLAZA: Fairchild and Fairborne Mascot Appearances: Free photo opportunities and autograph sessions. 11 a.m. & 4 p.m.

WEST END MARKET: Open Eye Figure Theatre: 10, 11 a.m., noon & 1 p.m.; Theatre Unbound: 3:30, 4:30, 5:30 & 6:30 p.m.

THE X-ZONE: Skateboard and BMX Bike Demonstrations: Noon, 1:30, 3, 4:30 & 6 p.m.

DEMONSTRATIONS AND PROGRAMS

AGRICULTURE/HORTICULTURE BUILDING: Looking Inside the Hive: 10:30 a.m., 12:30, 2:30, 4:30 & 6:30 p.m.; Cooking with Honey: 11 & 11:30 a.m., noon; Harvesting Honey: 1, 2, 4 & 5 p.m.

CATTLE BARN AND ANNEX: 4-H Livestock Demonstrations: Barn Stage, 8 a.m., 4 & 6 p.m.; Milking Demonstrations: 10 a.m., noon, 2, 4 & 6 p.m.; 4-H Livestock Demonstrations: Land O Lakes Stage, 10:30 a.m., 12:30, 2:30, 4:30 & 6:30 p.m.; Hand Milking Demonstrations: 11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.

DNR PARK: Fire Tower: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

PET CENTER: St. Paul Police K-9 Foundation Demonstration: 7 p.m.; Siberian Husky Club: Demonstrations at the top of each hour, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

PROGRESS CENTER/ECO EXPERIENCE: ReUSE Room Demonstrations: 10 a.m., 1, 3:30 & 6:30 p.m.; Renewing the Countryside Cooking: 11 a.m., 1 & 3 p.m.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DRIVEN TO DISCOVER: Cooking with Kids in Rural Minnesota: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

JUDGING

4-H BUILDING: 4-H Judging and displays: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

AGSTAR ARENA: FFA Safe Tractor Operator's Contest: 9 a.m.; 4-H Beef Cow/Calf, Prospect Market Calf Show: 1:30 p.m.; 4-H Breeding Heifer Show: 4 p.m. CATTLE BARN AND ANNEX: Make it Better with Butter Contest: 10 a.m.

MIRACLE OF BIRTH CENTER: FFA Landscape Design and Construction Competition: 8 a.m.

SHEEP AND POULTRY BARN: 4-H Poultry Interviews and Quiz: 7:30 a.m.; 4-H Poultry Show and Showmanship: 1 p.m.

WARNER COLISEUM: Hunter Performance Classes: 8 a.m.; Jumper Performance Classes: 6 p.m.

ANIMALS

HORSE BARN: Aisle of Breeds: Horse Breed Showcase: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

MIRACLE OF BIRTH CENTER: Urban Chick Farming: in the Nursery of Knowledge. 2 p.m.

PET CENTER: Pet Surgery: 10 a.m., noon, 2 & 4 p.m.

SHEEP AND POULTRY BARN: Baa Booth: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

HOME AND HOBBIES

AGRICULTURE/HORTICULTURE BUILDING (9 a.m. to 9 p.m. unless noted): The Common Table: 9 a.m.; Minnesota Department of Agriculture: 9 a.m.; Floralpalooza's "Zoo-Tanical": 9 a.m.; University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Science: 9 a.m.; Minnesota State Horticultural Society Cactus, Succulent, Potted Plant Show: 9 a.m.; African Violet Society of Minnesota Show: 9 a.m.; African Violet Information and Growing Tips: 10 a.m.; Ask the Grape Grower: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; What About Me, the Mason Bee? Talk for Kids: 11 a.m.; Beyond Apples: Growing Fruit in Minnesota: Noon; Gardens of the Night: 1 p.m.; Tips on Exhibiting and Growing Veggies and Flowers: 2 p.m.; Sustainable Yards, Home to Birds, Bees and Butterflies: 3 p.m.; Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild: 3 & 6 p.m.; Pruning Grapevines: 4 p.m.; Mushrooms 101: 5 p.m.

CREATIVE ACTIVITIES AND ANNEX (9 a.m. to 9 p.m. unless noted): Minnesota Knitters Guild: 9 a.m.; Minnesota Lace Society: 9 a.m.; Weavers Guild of Minnesota: 9 a.m.; Blue Ribbon Winners Reveal Baking Secrets: 10:30 a.m., noon & 1 p.m.

DNR PARK: Naturalist Tent: Discovery activities and kids projects. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wildlife in Your Backyard: 1 & 3 p.m.

MINNESOTA WINE COUNTRY: Unique Factors and Flavors of Minnesota Wine: 3:30 & 5 p.m.

PROGRESS CENTER/ECO EXPERIENCE: Eating Sustainably: 10 a.m.; Can We Overcome Our Consumption Addiction?: Noon; Bee-Friendly Landscapes: Noon; Easy, Eco-Friendly Gardening Tips: 2 & 5 p.m.; Wilderness Inquiry: 4 p.m.