According to Alexander, resuming a concert after a weather-related delay adds a whole new level of energy for the artists and audience. Only twice in the past 11 years has the grandstand required evacuation. Weather-related delays are more common than cancellations. Alexander says staff also monitor weather on their own phones they have the latitude to stop the show if they feel it’s unsafe safety is the number-one priority. “Messaging to our guests is also important, so staff members don’t instill panic.”Įach outdoor stage has its own tarp and the stage managers are all connected via group text to receive weather alerts. “We walk through procedures for different scenarios, discussing how communication should be handled,” explains Alexander. AlexanSeder says this preparation is key. Since all stages are outside, pre-Fair meetings are held with key departments, including police, security and ushers. “We’re committed to making the Fair what it needs to be for the people of Minnesota – we only have one chance to get it right.”ĭespite teamwork and preparation, weather is an element outside anyone’s control, with lightning and high winds the biggest issues. “Everyone shares the strong sense of ownership,” she says. “Large grandstand shows might have calls upwards of 75 or 100.” National touring acts bring their own crew that’s augmented by local support.Īlexander says her team “feels like a family” because they go through both successes and trying times together.
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“We probably use 15 to 20 stagehands across our free stages,” explains Alexander. The Fair also works with the Local 13 IATSE Stagehand Union for the stagehand labor. When the Minnesota State Fair starts, volunteer support increases that total to more than 1,000 people, just in this area.įor backstage assistance, Alexander praises their “incredible” local production vendors who help with the free stages, including Allied Audio for audio and Freestyle Productions handling video elements across the Fair. Summer staff additions include five runners and five superintendents, who oversee specific areas, and a stage manager for each stage. The entertainment and educational area includes six year-round positions. “Helping plan a party for 1.8 million people is quite an adrenaline rush.”įull-time Fair staff numbers almost 80. “The Fair gets in your blood,” Alexander explains.
She returned when the Fair’s entertainment director position opened up. Then she left for ten years to work with ‘Sesame Street Live’ and in corporate meeting planning. She started as a summer intern during college, then worked year-round for five years, mainly on the smaller free stages, daily parade and talent contest.
She calls the effort “a giant chess game with a lot of moving parts” and considers each day like staging a month’s worth of entertainment.Īlexander is a year-round employee she’s held this position for 11 years. Helping to schedule and present all this entertainment is a team led by Renee Alexander, the Fair’s Deputy GM of Entertainment & Marketing.
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Paul – more than 900 total performances – plus nightly concerts by national acts in the 13,000-seat grandstand. Nearly 1.8 million people are expected to attend it’s one of the largest fairs in the nation and dates back to 1859.Īlong with memorable food, animal barns, exhibits and midway, many visitors are attracted to the entertainment presented at five free stages across the 320-acre grounds in St. Known as “The Great Minnesota Get-Together”, the Minnesota State Fair is in the midst of its 12-day run that concludes Labor Day.
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