Miranda Lambert to Perform at North Dakota State Fair
Spotted photo by Jan Barton
Miranda Lambert
MINOT, N.D. (AP) -- The exhibit tables are in place and the stages are going up for the North Dakota State Fair, opening next week.
Lindale's Miranda Lambert is a member of the concert lineup that also includes Joe Nichols, Matchbox Twenty, Trace Adkins, Clay Walker, Casting Crowns, Jason Aldean, and Sugarland. The fair also is bringing in Casting Crowns, an award-winning Christian rock band.
"We are excited," said Bob Wagoner, fair manager. "The things you can't control, like the weather, are always a concern, but the things that we can control, they are progressing very nicely. We are on track and everything is looking good."
The fair runs from July 18 through July 26 in Minot. The fair office says it has sold 20 percent more season show passes than last year at this time.
Jim Mello, manager of Minot's International Inn, said it's typical to fill hotel rooms on fair weekends but this year, the hotel is booked for the whole week.
"We are full for the 10-day spread," Mello said.
Wendy Howe, director of the Minot Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the bureau tracks available rooms in Minot and surrounding towns so visitors can find out where vacancies still exist. So far, surveys show weekends are booked but rooms remain available during the week, she said.
Camping is available at the fairgrounds, although spots are filling up fast, Wagoner said.
The fair has had a tougher job finding summer help this year.
"Fortunately, there are some people that like the thought of working for the fair and like the thought of working in the 'fun' industry," Wagoner said. "We might be short a few people, but the ones we have, they are good."
Churches are opening their doors and providing free breakfasts to busloads of youth groups, and one church has rented a campgrounds for young people.
Free stages this year include the traditional favorites such as racing pigs, petting zoo and the Fur Traders Rendezvous. New stages include a daredevil aerial show, a rain forest exploration show with live exotic animals.
Murphy Brothers Exhibition, in honor of its 40th year with the North Dakota State Fair, is offering free carnival rides Tuesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. each day.
Gate admission to the State Fair remains unchanged from last year. A $20 adult season gate pass is good for every day of the fair. Junior passes for children are $15.
"Certainly the variety is one of the things that makes this fair go. It has a little bit of everything, and in some cases, a lot of everything," Wagoner said.
Jim Mello, manager of Minot's International Inn, said it's typical to fill hotel rooms on fair weekends but this year, the hotel is booked for the whole week.
"We are full for the 10-day spread," Mello said.
Wendy Howe, director of the Minot Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the bureau tracks available rooms in Minot and surrounding towns so visitors can find out where vacancies still exist. So far, surveys show weekends are booked but rooms remain available during the week, she said.
Camping is available at the fairgrounds, although spots are filling up fast, Wagoner said.
The fair has had a tougher job finding summer help this year.
"Fortunately, there are some people that like the thought of working for the fair and like the thought of working in the 'fun' industry," Wagoner said. "We might be short a few people, but the ones we have, they are good."
Churches are opening their doors and providing free breakfasts to busloads of youth groups, and one church has rented a campgrounds for young people.
Free stages this year include the traditional favorites such as racing pigs, petting zoo and the Fur Traders Rendezvous. New stages include a daredevil aerial show, a rain forest exploration show with live exotic animals.
Murphy Brothers Exhibition, in honor of its 40th year with the North Dakota State Fair, is offering free carnival rides Tuesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. each day.
Gate admission to the State Fair remains unchanged from last year. A $20 adult season gate pass is good for every day of the fair. Junior passes for children are $15.
"Certainly the variety is one of the things that makes this fair go. It has a little bit of everything, and in some cases, a lot of everything," Wagoner said.
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