Minnesota State Fair calendar for Thursday, Aug. 31: Seniors Day

SENIORS DAY: Health and wellness demonstrations and giveaways, fun exercise sessions and more. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Seniors (65+) receive discounted admission. $9.

MUSIC

GRANDSTAND: Usher: With Black Coffee. 7:30 p.m.

DAN PATCH PARK: The Pearl Brothers: 9, 11 a.m., 1 & 3:30 p.m.

DNR PARK: Roe Family Singers: 10 a.m., noon, 2, 4, 6 & 8 p.m.

INTERNATIONAL BAZAAR: The Bavarian Musikmeisters: 10:45 a.m., noon & 1:15 p.m.; the Good, the Bad and the Funky: 8 p.m.

LEINIE LODGE BANDSHELL: Alpensterne: 10:30 & 11:45 a.m.; Redhead Express: 1 & 2:30 p.m.; the Nightowls: 3:30 & 4:45 p.m.; Tanya Tucker: 8:30 p.m.

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

SCHILLING AMPHITHEATER: 451st Army Band: 11:30 a.m., 12:30 & 1:30 p.m.; Jerry O'Hagan Orchestra: 3, 4 & 5 p.m.; Romantica: 8 p.m.

FAMILY FARE

4-H BUILDING: 4-H Performing Arts: 5:30 p.m.

AGRICULTURE/HORTICULTURE BUILDING: Hands-On Ag Literacy: Make-and-take activities. 1-3 p.m.

DAN PATCH PARK: State's Largest Senior Stretch & Stroll: Health professionals teach seniors how to live a healthful life. 10 a.m.; Seniors Day Fitness Programs: Noon & 2 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.

EDUCATION BUILDING: A variety of educational exhibitors and artwork by Minnesota students. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Minnesota West Coast Swing Dancers: 9 a.m.; Tech Ed First Robotics: Demonstrations and competitions by high schools students. 10 a.m. & 3 p.m.; Square Dance Federation of Minnesota: 11:30 a.m.; Granite City Cloggers: 4 & 6:30 p.m.

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.; Kidsdance: 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.

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.

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

HISTORY AND HERITAGE CENTER: Showcase of the significant events, stories and traditions of the fair. 9 a.m.-9 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: Native Pride Dancers: 3:15, 4:30 & 5:45 p.m.; Lebanese Belly Dancers: Noon, 1:30, 3 & 4:30 p.m.

LASER HITZ SHOW: Outdoors at the intersection of Cosgrove St. and Randall Av. 9:15 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: Biosecure Entry Education Trailer: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Bees and Honey: Meet and learn with the American Honey Queen Maia Jaycox. 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.

PROGRESS CENTER/ECO EXPERIENCE: Sewerman: 4 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.

DEMONSTRATIONS AND PROGRAMS

AGRICULTURE/HORTICULTURE BUILDING: Ask the Cider Maker: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Ask the Apple Grower: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; 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; Ask the Grape Grower: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; 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.; Moo Booth: Milking Demonstrations: 10 a.m., noon, 4 & 6 p.m. Hand Milking: 11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.

CREATIVE ACTIVITIES AND ANNEX: Lady Slipper Needle Arts Society: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Minnesota Decorative Artists: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; A Day in the Kitchen with Cooks of Crocus Hill: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

PET CENTER: Pet Surgery: 10 a.m., noon, 2 & 4 p.m.; Training Tips & Tricks with Rhonda Maeth. 6 p.m.; St. Paul Police K-9 Foundation: 7 p.m.

JUDGING

4-H BUILDING: 4-H Chef for a Day Cook-Off: 6 p.m.

AGSTAR ARENA: Llama Open Class Perforance Classes: 8:30 p.m.; 4-H Llama Obstacle Course and Public Relations: 4:30 p.m.

CATTLE BARN AND ANNEX: Agrilympics: Celebrity Butter Carving Contest: 12:20 p.m.

LEINIE LODGE BANDSHELL: Outstanding Senior Awards Ceremony: 10:30 a.m.

SHEEP AND POULTRY BARN: Poultry Open Class: Rooster Crowing Contest: 11 a.m.

WARNER COLISEUM: Dairy Cattle Open Class: Supreme Champion: 10 a.m.; WSCA Pleasure Classes, Signature Freestyle Liberty and Mounted Costume: 6 p.m.; Appaloosa, Paint, Pinto, Quarter Horses and WSCA Pleasure Classes: 12:30 p.m.

ANIMALS

DNR PARK: Raptor Displays and Flying Demonstrations: 11 a.m., 2 & 4 p.m. (Except Aug. 30.)

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.

PET CENTER: Meet a variety of dog breeds, shop pet vendors and see demonstrations. Meet the Dog Breeds: See a variety of different canine breeds each day. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Northstar Rottweiler Club: 9, 11 a.m., 1, 3 & 5 p.m. Canine College: 10 a.m., noon, 2 & 4 p.m.

SHEEP AND POULTRY BARN: Hop, Flop & Sniff: See a sampling of rabbit breeds and distinguish the variations of sizes, shapes, fur types, colors, tails and ears. 9 a.m.-5 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. Federated Garden Clubs, Inc. of Minnesota Standard Flower Show: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Harvesting and Cooking with Herbs: 10 a.m.; Recipe Card Roundup: 10 a.m. & 4 p.m.; Managing Tomato Diseases: 11 a.m.; Minnesota Grape Growers Association: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Overwintering Tender Perennials: Noon; Straw Bale Gardening All Over This Planet: 1 p.m.; Edible Landscapes: 2 p.m.; Soil Health: What Farmers Are Telling Us: 2 p.m.; Garden/Landscaping with Industrial HempSpex: 5 p.m.