Crowds are huge part of the State Fair. See how they've grown over the years.

It's easy to see that the fair was a bright idea that just keeps growing. In 2019, will fair magic again conspire to haul in the population of several Minnesota cities each day?

Notes on the data: Though the State Fair began in 1859, attendance figures weren't consistently recorded before 1887 and the location changed frequently. According to Minnesota State Fair general manager Jerry Hammer, Fair officials revised how attendance was counted in the 1980s to only include tickets at the gate. Attendance recorded in earlier years was then revised to an estimate that removed cars, young children who entered for free and Fair employees, which were previously included in the count. Figures charted represent State Fair attendance reported at the time, not the later revisions.

Source: Minnesota State Fair archives

about the writers

about the writers

Greg Mees

Senior Assistant Managing / Design, Planning, Production

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C.J. Sinner

Director of Graphics & Data Visuals

C.J. Sinner is the Director of Graphics and Data Visuals at the Star Tribune, managing a small team that works at the intersection of data and design to help enhance storytelling on all platforms through charts, maps and diagrams. 

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Catherine Preus

Copy Editor, Homepage Editor, Page Designer

Catherine Preus has spent over 20 years on the night production desk and has also written for the Travel section, managed the homepage and kept the Minnesota Star Tribune stylebook updated.

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