FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. — If you were on Snelling Avenue trying to drive to the State Fair on opening day last year, you probably remember it.
Traffic was backed up on the road for much of the morning.
State Fair spokespeople say that traffic backup had a lot to do with getting first day kinks out.
"Every year there's new staff coming on board," said spokesperson, Danielle Dullinger, "We kick off running right away on day one and there's up to 200,000 people coming on the first day."
She says you can help by taking public transportation to the fair.
Here's what you should know:
1. The State Fair's Park & Ride: Operated by the State Fair, it's free to park your car in one of the 34 designated lots and ride a bus to the fair. They've added three new locations this year:
- Allianz Field
- Grace Lutheran Church in St. Paul
- 2955 Centre Pointe Drive
They've also dropped the Roseville High School lot this year due to construction.
Find all the Park & Ride locations here.
2. Metro Transit's State Fair Express: Operated by Metro Transit and partners, it is free to park your vehicle in one of the designated lots, but you'll pay $5-$6 for the bus ride.
New this year, they're partnering with Lyft to give people headed to the fair $3 off a Lyft ride to a State Fair Express location.
They've dropped two locations this year due to construction: Fridley and Knox Avenue.
For a full list of locations, click here.
3. Driving: Leave early. Fair spokespeople say most of the lots fill up in the early morning. But here's a tip:
"I would say, anecdotally speaking, that the lots south of Como Avenue generally fill a little bit later than the others," Dullinger said.