Catch a ride to the State Fair aboard a Minnesota Valley Transit Authority bus. On weekdays, express buses will run between the state fairgrounds and Burnsville High School and Burnsville Transit Station each day of the fair. The buses will depart from Burnsville on the hour from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., with return service from the fairgrounds on the hour from noon to midnight.

On Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day, the express buses will run from the Burnsville Transit Station and Eagan Transit Station at Pilot Knob Road and Yankee Doodle Road every 30 minutes. Routes from suburbs to the fairgrounds will operate from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., with return service from noon to midnight.

Round trip fare is $5, collected before the first ride in Burnsville and Eagan for those who pay the day of the ride. Exact change in cash is required.

Riders who want to purchase bus tickets in advance can get a $4 individual ticket or a group of four tickets for $15 on the Metro Transit website, www.metrotransit.org.

For more information about the state fair shuttles or other MVTA service, go to www.mvta.com or call 952-882-7500.

DAKOTA COUNTY

Hunters may apply for controlled deer hunt People interested in participating in controlled deer hunts in Dakota County Parks have until Oct. 10 to submit applications.

Archery hunts at Lebanon Hills Regional Park will be held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings between Nov. 5 and Nov. 21. The western part of Spring Lake Park Reserve will be available for archery hunts all day Nov. 3-5, Nov. 10-12 and Nov. 17-19.

Miesville Ravine Park Reserve will be open for a shotgun hunt Nov. 17-25.

The parks are closed to other users during the hunts. The annual hunts are an ongoing effort to control the deer population in the parks and surrounding areas.

Applications for hunters are online at www.dakotacounty.us. Search for "hunting."

HASTINGS

LeDuc Estate hosts Sunday evening concerts Free Sunday evening concerts continue at the LeDuc Historic Estate in Hastings.

Tonight the Eric Thomas Trio performs and next Sunday the Jolly Huntsmen Concert is on deck at the mansion at 1629 Vermillion St. All events begin at 7 p.m. Bring a lawn chair.

Refreshments and tickets for a mansion tour starting at 5:30 p.m. can be purchased. The August series is sponsored by the Hastings Concert Association, the mansion and numerous Hastings area businesses.

KATIE HUMPHREY