The competition covers 25 departments and consists of over 200 classes. The fine arts department of the Minnesota State Fair presents an annual art exhibition that is the result of a juried competition. Participation is open to all artists living in Minnesota, and each may submit one work for consideration. Only those works selected by the jurors are displayed in the Fine Arts Center during the State Fair. The creative activities department of the Minnesota State Fair presents an annual exhibition of the finest needlework, handcrafts, baking and canning that Minnesota has to offer.
Participation is limited to Minnesota residents.
The education department displays the work of students in kindergarten through grade 12 from throughout the state. The three divisions of the education department are Individual Exhibits, Technology Education and Agricultural Technology. In 2000, over 2,400 projects were entered and exhibited. Areas include, but are not limited to, dairy and beef cattle, sheep, swine, poultry and rabbits. The Barnes PRCA Rodeo performs Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, August 29-31 in the Coliseum.