Minnesota State Fair calendar for Thursday, Aug. 24: Thrifty Thursday

Reduced admission: adults (13-64) $12; kids (5-12) $9. Special ride and game promotions at the Mighty Midway and Kidway all day. Many merchandise and food vendors offer special bargains for all fair guests.

MUSIC

GRANDSTAND: Nickelback: With Daughtry. 7:30 p.m.

DNR PARK: Darlene & the Boys: 10 a.m., noon, 2, 4, 6 & 8 p.m.

FAMILY FAIR/BALDWIN PARK: The Dollipops: 10:30, 11:30 a.m. & 3 p.m.

INTERNATIONAL BAZAAR: Max Thompson: Noon, 1:30, 3 & 4:30 p.m.; Axis Mundi: 3:15, 4:30 & 5:45 p.m.; Chris Hawkey: 8 p.m.

LEINIE LODGE BANDSHELL: Joni Harms: 10:30 & 11:45 a.m.; Tonic Sol-Fa: 1 & 2:30 p.m.; Dailey & Vincent: 3:30 & 4:45 p.m.; The Pointer Sisters: 8:30 p.m.

SCHILLING AMPHITHEATER: Katy Vernon: 11:30 a.m., 12:30 & 1:30 p.m.; the Barley Jacks: 3, 4 & 5 p.m.; Divas Through the Decades: 6 p.m.; the Big Wu: 8 p.m.

ANIMALS

DNR PARK: Raptor Displays and Flying Demonstrations: 11 a.m., 2 & 4 p.m.

HORSE BARN: Aisle of Breeds: Showcase of different types of horses. Meet the horses and their owners and ask questions. 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

MIRACLE OF BIRTH CENTER: This agricultural education exhibit is the birthplace of nearly 200 animals, including calves, lambs and piglets, during the fair's 12-day run. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Meet the Animals: Q&A with Minnesota FFA members and their animals. 10 a.m.

DEMONSTRATIONS AND PROGRAMS

AGRICULTURE/HORTICULTURE BUILDING: Looking Inside the Hive: 10:30 a.m., 12:30, 2:30, 4:30, 6:30 p.m.; Cooking with Honey: 11, 11:30 a.m. & noon; Harvesting Honey: 1, 2, 4, 5 p.m.; Beekeeper's Corner: Mini classes on beekeeping topics. 3, 3:15, 3:30 & 3:45 p.m.

CATTLE BARN AND ANNEX: Moo Stage: Moo Booth: Make It Better With Butter Contest: 10 a.m.; Hand Milking: 11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.

CREATIVE ACTIVITIES AND ANNEX: American Sewing Guild: 9 a.m.- 9 p.m.

DNR PARK: Paddleboard and Kayak Demonstrations. 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

PROGRESS CENTER/ECO EXPERIENCE: ReUSE MN: Demonstrations of DIY reuse and repair techniques. 10 a.m., 12:30, 3 & 5:30 p.m.

FARMING/AGRICULTURE

AGRICULTURE/HORTICULTURE BUILDING: Pollinator Puppet Show: 10 a.m.; Enjoy free dairy treats from local vendors 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Hands-On Ag Literacy: Make-and-take activities. 1-3 p.m.

CATTLE BARN AND ANNEX: 4-H Livestock Demonstrations: 10:30 a.m., 12:30, 2:30, 4:30 & 6:30 p.m.; Moo Booth: Moo Live: Presentations and interactive activities highlighting cows and agriculture. 11 a.m. & 3 p.m.; Moo Booth: AGDAY365: 12:30 p.m.; Moo Booth: Watch cows being milked and join fun activities and competitions. Hours vary.

DAIRY BUILDING: Butter Sculptures: Princess Kay and her court will all have their likeness carved into a 90-lb. block of butter by a sculptor. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

DNR PARK: The Minnesota outdoors are showcased and aquariums show fish in their native habitats. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; DNR Fire Prevention Building: Learn about firefighting equipment and the impact of fires. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; DNR Fire Tower: 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Fish Pond Talks: 9:45, 10:45, 11:45 a.m., 12:45, 1:45, 2:45 & 3:45 p.m.; Smokey Bear: 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. Paddle Sports and Water Trails: 11 a.m.; Dragons and Damsels: A naturalist talk about dragonflies. 3 p.m.

EDUCATION BUILDING: A variety of educational exhibitors and artwork by Minnesota students. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Tech Ed First Robotics: Demonstrations and competitions by high schools students. 10 a.m. & 3 p.m.; Come Square Dance: 11:30 a.m.

FAMILY FARE

FAMILY FAIR/BALDWIN PARK: Alphabet Forest: Meet authors and alphabet activities. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Math On-A-Stick: A space for kids and families to explore math concepts. Go on a number scavenger hunt, play and sort with shapes, use the spiral machine, take the pentagon challenge. 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sean Emery: 12:30 & 5 p.m.; Break-Shop Bump'n: 1:30, 4 & 6 p.m.

FINE ARTS CENTER: An annual exhibition that is the result of a juried competition. See the original 2017 State Fair Commemorative Art created by St. Paul artist Ta-coumba Aiken. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Studio: Here: Each day of the fair, a practicing Minnesota artist will create artwork and interact with fair guests. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Be a Fine Arts Detective: Find clues to discover artwork throughout the fine arts exhibition and earn a ribbon for finding all the pieces. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

HISTORY AND HERITAGE CENTER: Showcase of the significant events, stories and traditions of the fair. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

GIANT SING ALONG: Group karaoke; south side of Murphy Av. between Underwood and Cooper Sts. 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

HORSE BARN: EquiMania: Exhibits including skeletons, anatomy models and other artifacts used in caring for horses. 9 a.m.- 7 p.m.

INTERNATIONAL BAZAAR: CAAM Chinese Dance Theater: 10:45 a.m., noon & 1:15 p.m.

LASER HITZ SHOW: Outdoors at the intersection of Cosgrove St. and Randall Av. 9:15 p.m.

LITTLE FARM HANDS: Hands-on agricultural education exhibit for children. 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

MINNESOTA NEWSPAPER MUSEUM: See how newspapers were made before the use of modern machinery. 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

MIRACLE OF BIRTH CENTER: Meet the Veterinarians at the Miracle of Birth Center: 11 a.m; Thank a Farmer Magic Show: Noon, 4 & 6 p.m.

NORTHWOODS: All-Star Stunt Dogs Splash: 11 a.m., 2 & 4:40 p.m.; Timberworks Lumberjack Show: Noon, 3, 5:30 & 7 p.m.

OLD IRON SHOW: Reminiscent of the old Machinery Hill, rare and fully operational antique farm equipment is displayed and demonstrated. Near Little Farm Hands on Lee Avenue between Underwood and Cooper streets. 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

SHEEP BARN: Baa Booth: An educational exhibit featuring sheep displays and hands-on activities. Hours vary.

STATE FAIR MALL PARADE: The parade route begins near the Haunted House, heads north on Cosgrove Street, west on Randall Avenue and south on Underwood Street. 2 p.m.

SWINE BARN: Get a glimpse into the life of pig farming. Hours vary. Oink Booth: Pig Tales: Find out facts about pigs during this narrated talk and Q&A. 11 a.m.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DRIVEN TO DISCOVER: Meet researchers and participate in a study. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

VISITORS PLAZA: Fairchild and Fairborn Appearance: Pose with state fair mascot Fairchild and his sidekick, Fairborne. 11 a.m. & 4 p.m.

THE X-ZONE: Skateboard and BMX Bike Demonstrations: 1:30, 3, 4:30 and 6 p.m.

HOME AND HOBBIES

AGRICULTURE/HORTICULTURE BUILDING: State Floral Association: "A Feast of Flowers:" Local florists present floralscapes that depict a different occasion or event within our daily lives with an abundance of beautiful fresh flowers and plants. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. The Common Table: Minnesota Eats: An interactive exhibit that seeks to inspire Minnesotans to get connected to the food they eat, centered around six areas of action: buy local, eat local, grow food, nurture soil, promote justice and reduce waste. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. African Violet Society of Minnesota Show: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Minnesota State Horticultural Society Potted Plant Show: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Recipe Card Roundup: 10 a.m. & 4 p.m.; Let's Talk About Violets: 11 a.m.; Planting for Pollinators: Noon; Gardening All Over This Planet: 2 p.m.; Sustainable Yards & Gardens: 3 p.m.; Beekeeper's Corner: Mini classes on beekeeping topics. 3, 3:15, 3:30 & 3:45 p.m.; Straw Bale Garden Art: Let the Budding Artist Flower Out of You: 4 p.m.; Food Justice and Environmental Justice: 5 p.m.

CREATIVE ACTIVITIES AND ANNEX: Home to the finest needlework, handcrafts, baking and canning that Minnesota has to offer, along with various demonstrations held daily. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

How-To Tips from Blue Ribbon Baking Winners: 9 a.m.

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

PROGRESS CENTER/ECO EXPERIENCE: An educational exhibit with information and activities by local health and environmental organizations. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Food Trends and Our Climate: 10 a.m.; A Talk About Population: Noon; What Are Sustainable Food Choices?: 2 p.m.; Raising Kids Sustainably: 4 p.m.

JUDGING

AGSTAR ARENA: 4-H Dairy Cattle: 9 a.m.; FFA Safe Tractor Operator's Contest: 9 a.m.; 4-H Beef Cow/Calf, Prospect Market Calf Show: 1 p.m.; 4-H Breeding Heifer Show: 2:30 p.m.

MIRACLE OF BIRTH CENTER: FFA Awards Program: 2:30 p.m.