Minnesota State Fair 2013: A music lover’s guide
August 22, 2013
It's hard to believe that it's already time for the State Fair—but we seem to say that every year around this time, don't we? All the conditions are ripe for a classic fair experience, with the humidity rising, the sun shining, and our summertime diets ready to get ruined. And this year, there's more entertainment than ever to take in between runs to the cheese curd stand.
Below, find a day-by-day guide to the musical offerings at this year's State Fair. For help tracking down these stages, grab the Minnesota State Fair's mobile app, available for iPhones and Androids, or go old school and download and print a PDF map of the fair.
Since there are so many offerings, I also indicated ** a few recommended events.
See also: The Current's live broadcast and performance schedule
Thursday, August 22
Leinie Lodge Bandshell
10:30, 11:45 a.m. Mountain Heart
1:00, 2:30 p.m. Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band
3:30, 4:45 p.m. Dale Watson**
8:30 p.m. Sunny Sweeney
Heritage Square
10:30, 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. Roe Family Singers**
2:00, 3:00, 4:00 p.m. Harris Brothers
7:00 p.m. Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles**
Ramberg Senior Center
10:30, 11:45 a.m., 1:00 p.m. Mark Stillman
3:15, 4:30, 5:45 p.m. Ramm Band
Family Fair at Baldwin Park
10:30, 11:30 a.m. Kidsdance
12:30 p.m. Sean Emery
1:30 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
3:00 p.m. Kidsdance
4:30 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
5:00 p.m. Sean Emery
6:00 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
International Bazaar
10:45 a.m., 12:00, 1:15 p.m. Dirty Shorts Brass Band
3:15, 4:30, 5:45 p.m. Six Appeal
7:30, 8:45 p.m. Socaholix
89.3 The Current's Live Broadcast
4:30 p.m. Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles**
Cities 97 Happy Hour on the Hill
5:00 p.m. The Farewell Circuit**
Friday, August 23
89.3 The Current's Live Broadcast
8:30 a.m. Bomba de Luz**
Leinie Lodge Bandshell
10:30, 11:45 a.m. Mountain Heart
1:00, 2:30 p.m. Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band
3:30, 4:45 p.m. Dale Watson**
8:30 p.m. Sunny Sweeney
Heritage Square
10:30, 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. Roe Family Singers**
2:00, 3:00, 4:00 p.m. Harris Brothers
7:00 p.m. Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles**
Ramberg Senior Center
10:30, 11:45 a.m., 1:00 p.m. Ramm Band
3:15, 4:30, 5:45 p.m. Mark Stillman
Family Fair at Baldwin Park
10:30, 11:30 a.m. Kidsdance
12:30 p.m. Sean Emery
1:30 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
3:00 p.m. Kidsdance
4:30 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
5:00 p.m. Sean Emery
6:00 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
International Bazaar
10:45 a.m., 12:00, 1:15 p.m. Dirty Shorts Brass Band
3:15, 4:30, 5:45 p.m. Six Appeal
7:30, 8:45 p.m. Socaholix**
Cities 97 Happy Hour on the Hill
3:00 p.m. Serena Ryder
5:00 p.m. Hunting Club**
Minnesota AFL-CIO Labor Pavilion
6:00 p.m. Raise Up Minnesota concert featuring Anne Feeney, Kill the Autocrat, Guante & See More Perspective, Lioness, Lydia Liza of Bomba de Luz, and MN Brave New Voices poets**
Grandstand
8 p.m. Under the Sun feat. Smash Mouth, Sugar Ray, and the Gin Blossoms
Saturday, August 24
Leinie Lodge Bandshell
10:30, 11:45 a.m. The Stellas feat. Lennon and Maisy
1:00, 2:30 p.m. Alex Meixner Polka Band
3:30, 4:45 p.m. Jason D. Williams
8:30 p.m. Blue Oyster Cult
Heritage Square
10:30, 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. The Daisy Dillman Band
2:00 p.m. Minnesota State Fiddle Contest
7:00 p.m. Pert Near Sandstone**
Ramberg Senior Center
10:30, 11:45 a.m., 1:00 p.m. The Mellow Fellows
3:15, 4:30, 5:45 p.m. David Malmberg
Family Fair at Baldwin Park
10:30, 11:30 a.m. The Okee Dokee Brothers**
12:30 p.m. Sean Emery
1:30 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
3:00 p.m. The Okee Dokee Brothers**
4:30 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
5:00 p.m. Sean Emery
6:00 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
International Bazaar
10:45 a.m., 12:00, 1:15 p.m. Dominic Gaudious
3:15, 4:30, 5:45 p.m. Café Accordion Orchestra**
7:30, 8:45 p.m. Tropical Zone Orchestra
Cities 97 Happy Hour on the Hill
3:30 p.m. The Swedish Revival
4:30 p.m. Sammy Brown (of A Firm Handshake)**
5:00 p.m. Bomba de Luz**
89.3 The Current's Live Broadcast
4:30 p.m. Pert Near Sandstone**
Grandstand
7:30 p.m. Sammy Hagar, Buckcherry and Rival Sons
Sunday, August 25
Leinie Lodge Bandshell
10:30, 11:45 a.m. The Stellas feat. Lennon and Maisy
1:00, 2:30 p.m. Alex Meixner Polka Band
3:30, 4:45 p.m. Jason D. Williams
8:30 p.m. Blue Oyster Cult
Heritage Square
10:30, 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. The Daisy Dillman Band
2:00 p.m. Minnesota State Fiddle Contest
7:00 p.m. Pert Near Sandstone**
Ramberg Senior Center
10:30, 11:45 a.m., 1:00 p.m. David Malmberg
3:15, 4:30, 5:45 p.m. The Mellow Fellows
Family Fair at Baldwin Park
10:30, 11:30 a.m. The Okee Dokee Brothers**
12:30 p.m. Sean Emery
1:30 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
3:00 p.m. The Okee Dokee Brothers**
4:30 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
5:00 p.m. Sean Emery
6:00 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
International Bazaar
10:45 a.m., 12:00, 1:15 p.m. Dominic Gaudious
3:15, 4:30, 5:45 p.m. Café Accordion Orchestra**
7:30, 8:45 p.m. Tropical Zone Orchestra
Cities 97 Happy Hour on the Hill
4:00 p.m. Maudlin**
5:00 p.m. Speed's the Name**
Grandstand
7:30 p.m. Sheryl Crow, Dwight Yoakam
Monday, August 26
Leinie Lodge Bandshell
10:30, 11:45 a.m. The 34th Infantry Division "Red Bull" Band
1:00, 2:30 p.m. Tonic Sol-Fa
3:30, 4:45 p.m. Bill Kirchen's Texicalli
8:30 p.m. Hanson
Heritage Square
10:30, 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. The Chmielewski Funtime Band
2:00, 3:00, 4:00 p.m. The Barbary Coast Dixieland Show Band
7:00 p.m. Sarah Gayle Meech
Ramberg Senior Center
10:30, 11:45 a.m., 1:00 p.m. Bill Koncar
3:15, 4:30, 5:45 p.m. Rod Cerar Orchestra
Family Fair at Baldwin Park
10:30, 11:30 a.m. The Bazillions
12:30 p.m. Sean Emery
1:30 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
3:00 p.m. The Bazillions
4:30 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
5:00 p.m. Sean Emery
6:00 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
International Bazaar
10:45 a.m., 12:00, 1:15 p.m. Kris and the Riverbend Dutchmen
3:15, 4:30, 5:45 p.m. Sena Ehrhardt
7:30, 8:45 p.m. Lost Highway
89.3 The Current's Live Broadcast
4:30 p.m. Crankshaft**
Cities 97 Happy Hour on the Hill
5:00 p.m. Mayda**
Grandstand
8:00 p.m. Happy Together Tour: The Turtles with Flo & Eddie, Chuck Negron of Three Dog Night, Gary Puckett & the Union Gap, Gary Lewis & the Playboys, and Mark Lindsay (former lead singer of Paul Revere & the Raiders)**
Tuesday, August 27
Leinie Lodge Bandshell
10:30, 11:45 a.m. The 34th Infantry Division "Red Bull" Band
1:00, 2:30 p.m. Tonic Sol-Fa
3:30, 4:45 p.m. Bill Kirchen's Texicalli
8:30 p.m. Hanson
Heritage Square
10:30, 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. The Chmielewski Funtime Band
2:00, 3:00, 4:00 p.m. The Barbary Coast Dixieland Show Band
7:00 p.m. Sarah Gayle Meech
Ramberg Senior Center
10:30, 11:45 a.m., 1:00 p.m. Rod Cerar Orchestra
3:15, 4:30, 5:45 p.m. Bill Koncar
Family Fair at Baldwin Park
10:30, 11:30 a.m. The Bazillions
12:30 p.m. Sean Emery
1:30 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
3:00 p.m. The Bazillions
4:30 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
5:00 p.m. Sean Emery
6:00 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
International Bazaar
10:45 a.m., 12:00, 1:15 p.m. Kris and the Riverbend Dutchmen
3:15, 4:30, 5:45 p.m. Sena Ehrhardt
7:30, 8:45 p.m. Lost Highway
Cities 97 Happy Hour on the Hill
2:30 p.m. Satellite
5:00 p.m. Rogue Valley**
89.3 The Current's Live Broadcast
4:30 p.m. Frankie Lee**
Grandstand
7:30 p.m. Depeche Mode with Bat for Lashes**
Wednesday, August 28
Leinie Lodge Bandshell
10:30, 11:45 a.m. Neal Zunker and the Music Connection
1:00, 2:30 p.m. Maggie Rose
3:30, 4:45 p.m. Whisperin' Bill Anderson
8:30 p.m. Sheila E.**
Heritage Square
10:30, 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. Jerry O'Hagan and His Orchestra
2:00, 3:00, 4:00 p.m. Mary Jane Alm**
7:00 p.m. Billy McLaughlin**
Ramberg Senior Center
10:30, 11:45 a.m., 1:00 p.m. Bandana
3:15, 4:30, 5:45 p.m. Jim Berner's Music Legends
Family Fair at Baldwin Park
10:30, 11:30 a.m. Mama Lou: American Strong Woman
12:30 p.m. Sean Emery
1:30 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
3:00 p.m. Mama Lou: American Strong Woman
4:30 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
5:00 p.m. Sean Emery
6:00 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
International Bazaar
10:45 a.m., 12:00, 1:15 p.m. Tom Mason and the Blue Buccaneers
3:15, 4:30, 5:45 p.m. Ray Covington
7:30, 8:45 p.m. Salsa del Soul
89.3 The Current's Live Broadcast
4:30 p.m. Actual Wolf**
Cities 97 Happy Hour on the Hill
5:00 p.m. The Cactus Blossoms**
Grandstand
7:00 p.m. Brian Laidlaw and the Family Trade (opening for Cat Video Film Fest)
Thursday, August 29
Leinie Lodge Bandshell
10:30, 11:45 a.m. Neal Zunker and the Music Connection
1:00, 2:30 p.m. Maggie Rose
3:30, 4:45 p.m. Whisperin' Bill Anderson
8:30 p.m. Sheila E.**
Heritage Square
10:30, 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. Jerry O'Hagan and His Orchestra
2:00, 3:00, 4:00 p.m. Mary Jane Alm**
7:00 p.m. Billy McLaughlin**
Ramberg Senior Center
10:30, 11:45 a.m., 1:00 p.m. Jim Berner's Music Legends
3:15, 4:30, 5:45 p.m. Bandana
Family Fair at Baldwin Park
10:30, 11:30 a.m. Mama Lou: American Strong Woman
12:30 p.m. Sean Emery
1:30 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
3:00 p.m. Mama Lou: American Strong Woman
4:30 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
5:00 p.m. Sean Emery
6:00 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
International Bazaar
10:45 a.m., 12:00, 1:15 p.m. Tom Mason and the Blue Buccaneers
3:15, 4:30, 5:45 p.m. Ray Covington
7:30, 8:45 p.m. Salsa del Soul
Cities 97 Happy Hour on the Hill
2:30 p.m. Saints of Valory
5:00 p.m. Bad Bad Hats**
6:00 p.m. Usonia**
89.3 The Current's Live Broadcast
4:30 p.m. P.O.S.**
Grandstand
7:30 p.m. Train with Michael Franti and Spearhead
Friday, August 30
Leinie Lodge Bandshell
10:30, 11:45 a.m. Home Free
1:00, 2:30 p.m. Rosie Flores and the Rivetors
3:30, 4:45 p.m. Kenny Neal
8:30 p.m. Robert Randolph & the Family Band**
Heritage Square
10:30, 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. The Boundary Water Boys
2:00 p.m. Minnesota Flatpicking Guitar and Duet Championships
7:00 p.m. Pieta Brown and the Sawdust Collective**
Ramberg Senior Center
10:30, 11:45 a.m., 1:00 p.m. Radio Joe and the Jazzbos
3:15, 4:30, 5:45 p.m. Patty and the Buttons
Family Fair at Baldwin Park
10:30, 11:30 a.m. The Choo Choo Bob Show Live
12:30 p.m. Sean Emery
1:30 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
3:00 p.m. The Choo Choo Bob Show Live
4:30 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
5:00 p.m. Sean Emery
6:00 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
International Bazaar
10:45 a.m., 12:00, 1:15 p.m. Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Ensemble
3:15, 4:30, 5:45 p.m. Native Pride Dancers
7:30, 8:45 p.m. The New Primitives
Carousel Park
3-5 p.m. The Current live pre-show (MN Music on a Stick) broadcast
Cities 97 Happy Hour on the Hill
5:00 p.m. Sleep Study**
Grandstand
5-11 p.m. 89.3 The Current Presents “MN Music on a Stick” featuring Trampled by Turtles, The Suburbs, Mason Jennings, P.O.S. and The Chalice**
Saturday, August 31
Leinie Lodge Bandshell
10:30, 11:45 a.m. Home Free
1:00, 2:30 p.m. Rosie Flores and the Rivetors
3:30, 4:45 p.m. Kenny Neal
8:30 p.m. Robert Randolph & the Family Band**
Heritage Square
10:30, 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. The Boundary Water Boys
2:00 p.m. Minnesota Flatpicking Guitar and Duet Championships
7:00 p.m. Pieta Brown and the Sawdust Collective**
Ramberg Senior Center
10:30, 11:45 a.m., 1:00 p.m. Patty and the Buttons
3:15, 4:30, 5:45 p.m. Radio Joe and the Jazzbos
Family Fair at Baldwin Park
10:30, 11:30 a.m. The Choo Choo Bob Show Live
12:30 p.m. Sean Emery
1:30 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
3:00 p.m. The Choo Choo Bob Show Live
4:30 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
5:00 p.m. Sean Emery
6:00 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
International Bazaar
10:45 a.m., 12:00, 1:15 p.m. Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Ensemble
3:15, 4:30, 5:45 p.m. Native Pride Dancers
7:30, 8:45 p.m. The New Primitives
Cities 97 Happy Hour on the Hill
2:00 p.m. Charlie Mars
3:30 p.m. Van Stee**
5:00 p.m. Mark Mallman**
Grandstand
7:30 p.m. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis with Talib Kweli and Chance the Rapper**
Sunday, September 1
Leinie Lodge Bandshell
10:30, 11:45 a.m. Eric Paslay
1:00, 2:30 p.m. The Quebe Sisters Band
3:30, 4:45 p.m. Michael Salgado
6:00 p.m. Songblast - Dueling Guitars
8:30 p.m. Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers
Heritage Square
10:30, 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. Blue Wolf Bluegrass
2:00, 3:00, 4:00 p.m. Crankshaft and the Gear Grinders**
7:00 p.m. Chastity Brown**
Ramberg Senior Center
10:30, 11:45 a.m., 1:00 p.m. The Irish Brigade
3:15, 4:30, 5:45 p.m. The Fairlanes
Family Fair at Baldwin Park
10:30, 11:30 a.m. Jared Sherlock
12:30 p.m. Sean Emery
1:30 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
3:00 p.m. Jared Sherlock
4:30 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
5:00 p.m. Sean Emery
6:00 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
International Bazaar
10:45 a.m., 12:00, 1:15 p.m. Batoi Batoi Breck Marimba Ensemble
3:15, 4:30, 5:45 p.m. The Barley Jacks
7:30, 8:45 p.m. GB Leighton
Cities 97 Happy Hour on the Hill
4:00 p.m. Chastity Brown**
Monday, September 2 (Labor Day)
Leinie Lodge Bandshell
10:30, 11:45 a.m. Eric Paslay
1:00, 2:30 p.m. The Quebe Sisters Band
3:30, 4:45 p.m. Michael Salgado
6:00 p.m. Songblast - Dueling Guitars
8:30 p.m. Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers
Heritage Square
10:30, 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. Blue Wolf Bluegrass
2:00, 3:00, 4:00 p.m. Crankshaft and the Gear Grinders**
7:00 p.m. Chastity Brown**
Ramberg Senior Center
10:30, 11:45 a.m., 1:00 p.m. The Fairlanes
3:15, 4:30, 5:45 p.m. The Irish Brigade
Family Fair at Baldwin Park
10:30, 11:30 a.m. Jared Sherlock
12:30 p.m. Sean Emery
1:30 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
3:00 p.m. Jared Sherlock
4:30 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
5:00 p.m. Sean Emery
6:00 p.m. Break-Shop Bump'n
International Bazaar
10:45 a.m., 12:00, 1:15 p.m. Batoi Batoi Breck Marimba Ensemble
3:15, 4:30, 5:45 p.m. The Barley Jacks
7:30, 8:45 p.m. GB Leighton
89.3 The Current's Live Broadcast
4:00 p.m. Chastity Brown**
Cities 97 Happy Hour on the Hill
5:00 p.m. Bethany Larson and the Bees Knees**
Grandstand
7:30 p.m. Tim McGraw with Brantley Gilbert
