Going to the first day of the State Fair? Here’s what you need to know.

Grab your shades and sunscreen, it’s shaping up to be a great day for the start of the Great Minnesota Get-Together.

Even more incentive if you’re heading there: tickets are cheaper on the first day, $18 for adults 13 to 64 and $15 for seniors and kids. Fairgrounds open at 7 a.m. and close at 11 p.m., with admission closing at 9 p.m.

Hoping to beat the crowds? Attendance records show that the first day is usually less packed. Don’t worry, you’ll still get good people-watching — nearly 139,000 people were there on opening day last year.

If you drive there, parking in State Fair lots is limited and costs $25. Scooter and bike corrals are free.

You can park free in the 34 park and ride lots. Buses run to the fair from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the last bus leaves the fair at 11:30 p.m.

The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority and SouthWest Transit serve several suburbs for a $6 fare. Metro Transit has free parking at park-and-ride locations, too, with the roundtrip bus fare costing $5 to $6.

You can follow Strib reporters all day through our live blog —we’ll be trying all the new fair foods and checking out music and events from open to close.

Journey to Space, a new exhibit at the North End Event Center from the Science Museum of Minnesota, opens today. The exhibit shows fairgoers what it would be like to visit the International Space Station and will be open until Labor Day. During the first four days of the fair, NASA will have a few of its own exhibitions and guests, including a moon rock from the Apollo 15 mission and space suits.

Want to snap a selfie with the Minnesota State Fair mascots? Fairborne and Fairchild will greet you at the Visitors Plaza at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The Minnesota Star Tribune stage will spotlight our lovable mascot, with Game Time with Stribby at 11 a.m. Star Tribune leaders and journalists will be on the stage throughout the day. “Ask the Editor” will feature Editor Kathleen Hennessey and columnist Eric Roper at 10 a.m. News and politics journalists will discuss the year at noon, followed by greater Minnesota trivia at 2 and 4 p.m. Check out the full stage calendar for all 12 days of the fair.

The State Fair Finder for shops and booths is a quick way to search for things to do and buy.

From food on a stick to fried delights, there are 33 new foods and eight new vendors across the fair. Make your picks and we’ll map out your route for you.

The State Fair Finder also describes all food options and locations across the fairgrounds.

Grandstand: For the last seven years, Virginia-rooted Old Dominion has been named Country Music Association’s vocal group of the year. For good reasons — those harmonies and, let’s be honest, the field doesn’t have many contenders. That’s not to take away from Old D, which has sparkled on “One Man Band” and six other No. 1 Nashville hits. Lead singer Matthew Ramsey and company will be dropping their sixth studio album, “Barbara,” the day after their fair appearance. Opening is the reputable local rock group Yam Haus (7 p.m., $67-$149, etix.com).

Free: Best known from her anthemic 2015 hit “Fight Song,” New York pop singer Rachel Platten will headline the Bandshell the first two nights of the fair promoting her new album, “I Am Rachel Platten,” and touting her work as an ambassador for the Mental Health Coalition (8:30 p.m.).

Local: Twin Cities guitarist Joe Cruz, who performs with Jennifer Grimm, will spotlight the songs and stories of Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Carlos Santana with his band Sounds of Santana, one of many tribute acts slated to perform on the free stages at this year’s fair (8 p.m., International Bazaar).