Are you State Fair ready? Here’s what you need to know as the Minnesota State Fair kicks off

It’s almost time. Starting Thursday, hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans will descend on the State Fairgrounds for the Great Minnesota Get-Together.

Planning to join the fun? Here’s a primer on when and how to get to the fair, what to eat and how to save a few bucks.

Hoping to avoid at least some of the crowds? It’s crowded pretty much every day of the fair’s run. But we analyzed state fair attendance records from the past 12 years, which showed that some days are more congested than others.

Unsurprisingly, weekdays are less crowded. But the last weekend of the fair is more crowded than the first weekend. The fair’s first and last day are among the least busy.

Read more about attendance history here.

There are several ways to get to the fairgrounds in St. Paul. From onsite parking, public transportation, or using one of the fair-operated 34 free park-and-ride lots.

Onsite lots are first come, first served, located on the north, south and west ends of the fairgrounds. Space is limited, and lots fill quickly.

It’s easiest to catch a park-and-ride bus to avoid the hassle of parking altogether. If you live close enough to the fairgrounds, riding a bike is a great option. There are free bike lots staffed by attendants.

There are also two dropoff and pickup points for rideshare services like Lyft and Uber.

Find more transportation tips here.

After the can’t-miss classics like a pronto pup or bucket of Sweet Martha’s cookies, you might want to check out one of this year’s 33 new food options that include shrimp toast on a stick, falafel waffles and pimento cheese puffs.

There are 70 new drink items including beer in the form of a root beer float or raspberry soft serve.

The fair can be an expensive endeavor. From tickets to rides to food on a stick, the cost adds up quickly.

There are a couple days left to score pre-fair discount tickets. Until Aug. 20, the fair sells discounted admission tickets online for $17 (a $3 discount on regular-priced adult tickets for ages 13-64). There’s also the annual Blue Ribbon Bargain Book contains 100 coupons to save on food and attractions.

There’s no shortage of free music and entertainment, too. There will be many concert highlights over the duration of the fair including several tribute acts.