The 2006 Minnesota State Fairís runs Thursday, Aug. 24 through Labor Day, Sept. 4.

Entrance gate hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (gates close at 9 p.m. on Labor Day). The fairgrounds are open until midnight (11 p.m. on Labor Day). Regular admission to the fair is $9 for adults ages 13 through 64, $8 for seniors age 65 and over and kids ages 5 through 12. Children under 5 are admitted free.

The Minnesota State Fair Blue Ribbon Bargain Book offers 100 coupons worth over $300 in savings on food, merchandise and attractions. Coupons are valid all 12 days of the fair. Pre-fair purchase price for the Blue Ribbon Bargain Book is $4. Books are available wherever pre-fair admission and ride and game tickets are sold. During the fair, the coupon books will be available only at the Minnesota State FairWear Gift Shops in Visitors Plaza and in the Grandstand on the fairgrounds for $5.

The Deals, Drawings and Giveaways Guide will highlight many of the discounts, bargains, special deals and give-aways available at the 2006 State Fair. The guide is free at all information booths.

Fairborneís Fabulous Fair Food Finder offers a search feature on the State Fairís web site that allows guests to locate any food offered on the fairgrounds. It also features vendors who are participating in special day promotions and those that have coupons in the Blue Ribbon Bargain Book. Fairchildís Fantastic Fair Fun Finder locates entertainment and attraction dates and times, special demonstrations, animal judging, events in Carousel Park and more. The food finder and the fun finder are located at www.mnstatefair.org.

SPECIAL EXHIBITS & ATTRACTIONS

New attractions to the 2006 State Fair include Family Fair in Baldwin Park, Promos on Patch, the CHS Miracle of Birth Center, Monster Trucks, The World of Wonders Palace of Illusions and the Eco Experience.

The new Family Fair located in Baldwin Park offers a variety of activities for every family. From free musical and theater acts to hands on stingray experiences, the Family Fair at Baldwin Park is fun for all ages.

Promos on Patch, located on Dan Patch Avenue just outside of Heritage Square, will feature a variety of attractions, product sampling and lots of free stuff. Among the many exhibits is Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity, Discover Boating and Take Me Fishing Tour, NBA Fair and Qwest Communications Qwest You Can Tour.

Other mobile marketing exhibits are located throughout the fair including Mutual of Omahaís Wild Kingdom Adventure Tour on the corner of Murphy Avenue and Cooper Street, USA Basketball Red White & Hoops Tour on Randall Avenue, south of the Progress Center, The Great Safety Adventure on Wright Avenue, south of Family Fair in Baldwin Park and careerbuilder.com near the International Bazaar.

The most popular free exhibit on the fairgrounds moves to its new, larger home for the 2006 State Fair. Three times its previous size, the new CHS Miracle of Birth Center allows more visitors the opportunity to learn about animal agriculture production, veterinary science and the birthing process. The new complex will also be home to the new FFA Chapter House and Leadership Center, with the Christensen Farms Stage outside featuring agricultural education. The Miracle of Birth Centerís new location is on Judson Street just east of the Warner Coliseum.

Get ready for car-crushing, heart-pounding action on Wednesday, Aug. 30 at the Extreme Monster Truck Nationals. The baddest monster trucks on the planet take over the Warner Coliseum for an evening of wheelies, side-by-side racing and freestyle contests. Call (651) 642-2262 for tickets and information.

Presented by the Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Eco Experience is designed to inspire people to lead healthier and more sustainable lives while improving the environment and their quality of life. Exhibits include alternative and renewable energy, a rain-garden, a green building, organic agriculture and whole foods. Kids can play in the environmental education area and watch Clancy, the mercury-sniffing dog and others on the demonstration stage. The Eco Experience is located in the Progress Center across from the Fine Arts Center.

GUEST SERVICES

Cash machines are located throughout the fairgrounds and are noted on the State Fair map. Visitors can pick up a free map, courtesy of the Star Tribune, and a daily schedule at any of the State Fairís eight information booths sponsored by Cingular Wireless. Also available at these booths are specialty fair guides, including information about the fairís tree sculptures, garden tours, historic walking tour, judging schedules, sign language interpreter schedules and accessibility services.

Wheelchairs, strollers, wagons and electric scooters are available for rent from Vista Mobility at four locations on the fairgrounds. Rental fees are $8 a day for strollers, $12 a day for wagons and $15 a day for manual wheelchairs. A limited number of electric scooters are also available for $45 a day ($30 after 6 p.m.) All are available on a first-come basis and reservations are not accepted. For complete information on accessibility at the State Fair, call (651) 642-2448; TTY (651) 642-2372 or visit their Web site.

For more information on the 2006 Minnesota State Fair, call (651) 288-4400; write Minnesota State Fair, 1265 Snelling Avenue North, St. Paul, MN 55108-3099; e-mail fairinfo@mnstatefair.org; or visit the State Fair Web site at www.mnstatefair.org. Recorded information is available 24 hours a day by calling (651) 603-6806.