Day 8: Seniors Day

Thursday, Aug. 29

SENIORS DAY: Seniors (65 & over) admitted for $7. Early Bird Specials are offered until 1 p.m. on Mighty Midway and Kidway rides, games and concessions. Many vendors offer special Seniors Day bargains for all fair guests.

MUSIC

GRANDSTAND: Train: With Michael Franti & Spearhead. 7:30 p.m., $37-$47.

4-H BUILDING: 4-H State Arts-In Musical Performances: 11:30 a.m., 3:30, 5 & 8 p.m.

DNR PARK: Ecuador Manta: 8 & 9 p.m.; BLT Band: 10 a.m., noon, 2 & 5 p.m.

HERITAGE SQUARE: Jerry O'Hagan and His Orchestra: 10:30, 11:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.; Mary Jane Alm: 2, 3 & 4 p.m.; Billy McLaughlin: 7 p.m.

LEINIE LODGE BANDSHELL: Outstanding Senior Citizen Awards Ceremony: 10:30 a.m.; Neal Zunker & the Music Connection: 10:30 & 11:45 a.m.; Maggie Rose: 1 & 2:30 p.m.; Whisperin' Bill Anderson: 3:30 & 4:45 p.m.; Sheila E: 8:30 p.m.

RAMBERG SENIOR CENTER: Jim Berner's Music Legends: 10:30, 11:45 a.m. & 1 p.m. Bandana: 3:15, 4:30 & 5:45 p.m.

FAMILY FARE

CAROUSEL PARK: Stretch & Stroll: The 11th Annual State's Largest Stretch & Stroll kicks off at the Carousel Park Stage with registration at 9:30 a.m. and program at 10 a.m. Co-sponsors UCare, Volunteers of America and the Alzheimer's Association are teaming up to teach seniors how to stretch their muscles and live a healthful life. The first 1,000 participants receive free door prizes, including a T-shirt and tools for fitness. The Whitesidewalls will provide music. UCare will stay to sponsor a full afternoon of multicultural music and dance hosted by comedian Shed G. 9:30 a.m.

CAROUSEL PARK: Fair-Well-to-Summer Dance Party: Teens and young adults can show off their dance moves as DJs Mad Mardigan, Dudley D and Ben Quam spin tunes. 8 p.m.

CREATIVE ACTIVITIES AND ANNEX: Studio: Here: A practicing Minnesota artist will create artwork and interact with fair guests. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

DAIRY BUILDING: Princess Kay and all members of her court will have their likenesses carved into 90-lb. blocks of butter. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

DNR PARK: Fish Pond Talks: Quarter to the hour. 9:45 a.m.-3:45 p.m.; Last Chance Forever: The Bird of Prey Conservancy: 11 a.m., 2 & 4 p.m.; Meet Smokey Bear: 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.; Emerald Ash Borer: Shake hands with a costumed character, noon & 2 p.m.; Fish Fillet Challenge: 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.

EDUCATION BUILDING: Square Dance ABC: 3 & 6 p.m.; Midwest Polka: 1 & 5 p.m.

FAMILY FAIR/BALDWIN PARK: Alphabet Forest: Take pictures with fair letters, create alphabet Ferris wheels, add words to the Fair Dictionary and more! Meet a different author each day in the Alphabet Forest at the Minnesota's Homegrown Author Showcase. 9 a.m.; Great Big Sandbox: Dig, scoop and burrow your way through this sandbox for kids. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Pianos on Parade: "Artistically transformed" pianos that encourage visitors to play; Mama Lou: American Strong Woman: 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.; Lasertainment's Laser Hits Show: Aerial laser beams and colorful images light up a gigantic screen — all to music. Located outdoors at the intersection of Cosgrove St. and Randall Ave. 9:15 p.m.;

INTERNATIONAL BAZAAR: Lebanese Belly Dancers: Festival of Nations Stage, noon, 1:30, 3 & 4:30 p.m.

LITTLE FARM HANDS: A hands-on agricultural experience for children. 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

MIRACLE OF BIRTH CENTER: Gobble, Gobble! Cluck, Cluck! Day: Presented by the Minnesota Turkey Council. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thank a Farmer Magic Show: noon, 4 & 6 p.m.

NORTHWOODS: Ron Schara's Minnesota Bound: 10 a.m. & 3 p.m. Timberworks Lumberjack Show: 11 a.m., 1:30, 5 & 7 p.m.

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

PROGRESS CENTER/ECO EXPERIENCE: Farm-to-School Films: 7 p.m.

VISITOR'S PLAZA: Fairchild & Fairborn Mascots: Free photo opportunities and autograph sessions. 11 a.m. & 4 p.m.

WARNER COLISEUM: High School Rodeo: noon & 6 p.m.

THE X-ZONE: 3rd Lair Skatepark at the X-Zone: Athletes demonstrate their skills on skateboards, in-line skates and BMX bikes, noon, 1:30, 3, 4:30 & 6 p.m.; Flippenout Extreme Trampoline Show: 11 a.m., 1, 4 & 5:30 p.m.

DEMONSTRATIONS AND PROGRAMS

CATTLE BARN AND ANNEX: Milking Demonstrations: 10 a.m., noon, 2, 4 & 6 p.m.

CREATIVE ACTIVITIES AND ANNEX: Cake Decorating Tips: 10 a.m., noon, 1:30, 3 & 11 p.m.

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

EDUCATION BUILDING: Kumihimo Weaving: 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

HERITAGE SQUARE: Blacksmith Demonstrations: 9 a.m., noon, 3 & 6 p.m.; Woodturner Demonstrations: 9 a.m., 1, 4 & 8 p.m.

PET CENTER: Northstar Rottweiler Club, Inc.: 11 a.m., 1, 3, 5 & 9 p.m.

JUDGING

AGSTAR ARENA: Llamas: Open Performance Class: 8:30 a.m.; 4-H Llama Obstacle Course and PR: 5 p.m.

CATTLE BARN AND ANNEX: Make It Better With Butter Contest: 10 a.m.; Agrilympics: Celebrity Butter Carving Contest: 12:20 p.m.

EDUCATION BUILDING: High School Robotics Competition: 10 a.m., noon & 3 p.m.

WARNER COLISEUM: Dairy Cattle Open Class Supreme Champion: 10 a.m.

ANIMALS

CATTLE BARN AND ANNEX: Moo Booth: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Hand Milking Demonstrations: 11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.

MIRACLE OF BIRTH CENTER: Learn about animal agriculture production, veterinary science and the birthing process. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Nursery of Knowledge Presentations and Displays: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

PET CENTER: Pet Surgery: 10 a.m., noon, 2 & 4 p.m.; St. Paul Police K-9 Demonstrations: 7 p.m.

SWINE BARN: Oink Booth: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

HOME AND HOBBIES

AGRICULTURE/HORTICULTURE BUILDING: Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild Exhibit: Sample flights of Minnesota craft beers from more than 30 brewers. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Also educational stations and interactive stage programs at 3 and 6 p.m. Minnesota Wine Country: Presentations and tastings of the finest wines Minnesota vineyards and wineries have to offer. Daily scheduled programs from area winemakers, chefs and experts. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Ask the Apple Grower: 10 a.m.; Ask the Grape Grower: 11 a.m.; Create a Fairy Garden: 10 a.m.; Pots of Distinction II: 11 a.m.; What's Growing On: U of M Extension Master Gardeners: noon; Tomato Diseases and Best Avoidance Practices: 1 p.m.; DIY Weddings by the Floral Professionals: 2 p.m.; Learn to Grow a Straw Bale Garden: 4 p.m.; Hello Functional Landscapes, Goodbye Ornamentals: 5 p.m.; Professional Florist Designer of the Year Finale: 6 p.m.

CREATIVE ACTIVITIES: An exhibition of needlework, crafts, baking and canning by Minnesota residents. 9 a.m.