Minnesota State Fair schedule for Thursday, Aug. 25

A sampling of events at the Minnesota State Fair. For a complete schedule, go to mnstatefair.org.

THURSDAY, AUG. 25

OPENING DAY/STEM DAY: SciMathMN brings fairgoers together to explore the world of STEM through hands-on activities, performances and exhibitors. Discounted admissions for adults, $15; seniors and kids, $12. Deals on merchandise and food for all fair guests and all-day specials on Mighty Midway and Kidway rides & games.

MUSIC

GRANDSTAND: Alice in Chains and Breaking Benjamin: With Bush. 5:30 p.m.

DNR PARK: Ecuador Manta: 10 a.m., noon, 2, 4 & 7 p.m.

EDUCATION BUILDING: Young Fiddlers Association of Minnesota: 10, 11 a.m. & noon. INTERNATIONAL BAZAAR: The Good, the Bad & the Funky: 8 p.m.; Samantha Moon: 3:15, 4:30 & 5:45 p.m.; The Working Stiffs: 10:45 a.m., noon & 1:15 p.m.

MINNESOTA WINE COUNTRY: Mikkel Beckman and Jeff Ray: 6:30 p.m.

THE NORTH END: Skylark Opera: 3, 3:45, 5:15 & 6 p.m.

SCHILLING AMPHITHEATER: Good Morning Bedlam: Noon, 1 & 2 p.m.

WEST END MARKET: Durry: 8 p.m.

FAMILY FARE

DAN PATCH PARK: STEM Day: Educational presentations, demonstrations and performances. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

DNR PARK: Family Story Time: 11 a.m.; Minnesota Mammal Mix-Up: 1 p.m.

EDUCATION BUILDING: West Coast Swing Dancers: 3:30, 4:30 & 5:30 p.m.; Square Dance Federation of Minnesota: 1 & 2:30 p.m.

FAMILY FAIR/BALDWIN PARK: State Fair Talent Contest: 7 p.m.; The Flyin' Hawaiian Show: 12:30 & 3:30 p.m.; Allez-Oops!: 10:30 & 11:30 a.m.

LEINIE LODGE BANDSHELL: Opening Ceremony: 10:15 a.m.; Amateur Talent Contest: 6 p.m.

WEST END MARKET: Twin Cities Trapeze Center: 10:30, 11:30 a.m., 12:30 & 1:30 p.m.; Rhythmically Speaking: 3:30, 4:30, 5:30 & 6:30 p.m.

HOME AND HOBBIES

AGRICULTURE/HORTICULTURE BUILDING: Straw Bale Gardening: 1 p.m.; African Violet Society of Minnesota Show: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; State Horticultural Society Potted Plant Show: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Managing Tomato Disease: 10 a.m.; Houseplant Know-How: 11 a.m.; Succulent Care: Noon; Gardening for Healthy Plants, Soil and Water: 2 p.m.; Minnesota's Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms: 3 p.m.

ECO EXPERIENCE/PROGRESS CENTER: We Can All Make a Difference in Our Climate: 10 p.m.; Great Minnesota Tap Water Taste Test: Noon; Make Your Own Paints and Finishes: 4 p.m.; Convert Your Bicycle to Run on Electric Assist: 2 p.m.; How to Design and Build a Tiny House: 5 p.m.

MINNESOTA WINE COUNTRY: Pairing Minnesota Wine with Cheese Curds: 3:30 p.m.

FAIRGROUNDS HOURS: 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Aug. 25-Sept. 4; 7 a.m.-9 p.m. on Sept. 5 (Labor Day). Many events end earlier on the final day.

FAMILY FARE

4-H BUILDING: 4-H State Arts-In Performance: 11:30 a.m., 5 & 7:30 p.m.; 11:30 a.m. Sept. 5

CATTLE BARN AND ANNEX: Moo Booth: Milking demonstrations, video presentations and interactive programming. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Aug. 25-26, 29-31, Sept. 3-4; 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 27-28, Sept. 5.; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 1.

CHS MIRACLE OF BIRTH CENTER: FFA Landscape & Construction Displays: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 5.; Meet the Animals and Veterinarians: 10 a.m. daily, except 6 p.m. Aug. 26 & 30; Thank a Farmer Magic Show: 11 a.m., 1 & 3 p.m.; Ag Champions: 5 p.m.

DNR PARK: Climb the DNR Fire Tower: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Invasive Carp Table: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Smokey Bear Appearance: 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.; Ask a DNR Expert: 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Fish Pond Talks: Hourly from 9:45 a.m.-3:45 p.m. EDUCATION BUILDING: Entries from the K-12 competition, robotics demonstrations, educational institutions and nonprofit exhibitors. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

FAMILY FAIR/BALDWIN PARK: Home to the Alphabet Forest and Math On-A-Stick where guests can pose for photos with fair letters, play games or take a book break. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Monster Shop Bump'n: 1:30, 4:30 & 6 p.m.

FINE ARTS CENTER: Winning artwork on display. Daily featured artists give a glimpse into how art is created. "Be a Fine Arts Detective" sends viewers on an observational hunt to earn a ribbon. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

FRASER SENSORY BUILDING: A calming space for guests with sensory-processing challenges, with activities and educational and employment resources. Wright Av. between Underwood and Cooper Sts. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

GIANT SING ALONG: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. North of Lee Av. between Underwood and Cooper.

LITTLE FARM HANDS: An educational exhibit where kids experience the agricultural process. 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

HISTORY WALKING TOUR: A 2-mile, 12-stop self-guided tour of historical spots on the fairgrounds. Brochures available at any tour stop, J.V. Bailey House or History & Heritage Center. Visit at least eight stops to collect a prize.

MINNESOTA NEWSPAPER MUSEUM: The museum celebrates 35 years with a living history exhibit. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. East side of Cosgrove next to the 4-H Building.

NORTH END EVENT CENTER: Survival: The Exhibition: An immersive wilderness exhibit. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. North of Murphy Av.

NORTHWOODS: All-Star Stunt Dogs Splash: 11 a.m., 2 & 4:30 p.m.; Timberworks Lumberjack Show: Noon, 3, 5:30 & 7 p.m.

PET PAVILIONS: Meet the dog breeds, pet surgery suite and canine and training demonstrations. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

RAMBERG MUSIC CAFE: Blue Ribbon Bingo: Hourly sessions 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

ROBERT A. CHRISTENSEN PAVILION: Oink Booth: A look into the world of pig farming. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, except 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 1.

SCHILLING AMPHITHEATER: Minnesota Historical Society History On-A-Schtick: 10 & 11 a.m.

SHEEP AND POULTRY BARN: Baa Booth: Educational exhibit with sheep displays and hands-on activities. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Aug. 25-31 except 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 28; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 1.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DRIVEN TO DISCOVER: Participate in a study by a variety of university departments. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA: Photos & Games with Goldy Gopher: Noon. South side of Dan Patch Av. between Underwood and Cooper Sts.

VISITORS PLAZA: Meet State Fair Mascots Fairborne and Fairchild: 11 a.m. & 4 p.m.

WEST END MARKET: History & Heritage Center: A showcase of the competitions, entertainment, agriculture, food and merchandise that have been the heart of the fair. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

HOME AND HOBBIES

CREATIVE ACTIVITIES AND ANNEX: View more than 8,000 handicrafts and baked goods along with daily demonstrations and a recipe card roundup. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

ANIMALS

CHS MIRACLE OF BIRTH CENTER: Educational exhibit housing baby animals, and a hen house. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 5.