The Minnesota Timberwolves would like to welcome you out to the Minnesota State Fair, which runs Aug. 22 through Sept. 2 in St. Paul. Each year the Great Minnesota Get-Together attracts more than 1.7 million patrons over the 12-day event, where Minnesotans enjoy the collection of rides, food on a stick and merchandise available on the 320-acre fairgrounds.
There’s a lot of ground to cover, and the Wolves are part of the fun. Make sure you stop into the Fan Central Building on Underwood Street at the corner of Dan Patch Avenue. Fan Central is the home to the Wolves and Lynx as well as the Wild, the Vikings and the Saints. It’s your home to all the new Wolves merchandise available at the fair, and it’s your opportunity to take part in some of the interactive features that will let other fans hear your story of why you love following the Wolves.
Below is Timberwolves.com’s guide to the Great Minnesota Get-together, where you’ll get all the tips on how to get to the fairgrounds as well as the Top 5 Attractions at this year’s Wolves Fan Central location.
For more information on the Minnesota State Fair, visit their official website.
2013 Minnesota State Fair
Dates: Aug. 22-Sept. 2 (Labor Day)
Hours: Fairground gates—6 a.m.-10 p.m. (6 a.m.-9 p.m. on Labor Day)
Tickets: Regular admission at the gate is $12 for adults (13-64), $10 for seniors (65 & over), $10 for kids (5-12) and free for children under 5. There are also $9 pre-fair discount tickets available, and several promotional discounts that are LISTED HERE.
Parking: State Fair Lots—$12 (or it can be paid with one additional pre-fair discount admission ticket of $9; discount tickets are available through Aug. 21 at Cub Foods or at the State Fair box office). Lots are accessed off Larpenteur Avenue, off Snelling Avenue or off Cleveland Avenue. Additional parking is on Como Avenue.
Park & Rides: There are 20 locations around the metro operating every day from Aug. 22-Sept. 2, and there are 14 more locations that are operational on select days. All Park & Ride buses operate from 8 a.m. to midnight. CLICK HERE for the full list of Park & Ride locations.
#WolvesOnAStick —Top 5 Attractions at the Wolves’ Fan Central location
Merchandise
The Wolves and Lynx will both have extensive merchandise options available at their full-sized pro shop at Fan Central, including a bigger and better selection of gear as we prepare for the 2013-14 season. There will be at least one new shirt design for each of the Wolves and Lynx teams, and the product selection will include everything from scarves to beach towels. Fans will be able to choose from 100 different headwear, apparel and novelty options, and many of these items will be offered as special fair pricing. The Wolves expect to also have at least one 25th season T-shirt available at the start of the fair, which will also be available online at the Wolves Pro Shop website .
Ticket Sales
Fans will be able to get their hands on a collection of ticket sale opportunities at the State Fair in preparation for the 2013-14 season. That includes the full season ticket membership package as well as Flex Pack options.
Test Your Shot
As always, the Wolves’ Fan Central location will include a gaming area where fans will be able to spend their time testing out their shot. This area includes the always popular Pop-A-Shot machine, which allows fans to try out how many baskets they can make in select period of time against a friend or family member. Who doesn’t like a little friendly competition while you’re at the fair? And it’s a great way to take a break from walking around the fairgrounds all afternoon.
Interact And Tell Your Story
At select times this year the Wolves plan to have a green screen on location along with a camera at Fan Central asking fans to take a moment to tell their story. The Wolves want to know a little bit about when you became a fan and why you enjoy being part of the Timberwolves family. Those video clips will be used to broadcast through the Wolves’ social media channels as well as possibly in-game spots on the scoreboard throughout the Wolves season. If you arrive during a time that videos aren’t being recorded, the team plans to have interactive kiosks at which fans can share their story of being a Wolves fan.
Kick Off The 25th Season
With the Wolves announcing their 2013 preseason schedule earlier this month, this is your first opportunity to get together with fellow fans and take in the atmosphere surrounding the Wolves prior to kicking off the 2013-14 season. When you head to Fan Central, talk with members of the organization about the buzz surrounding this year’s team and what it’s like to take part in the 25th season of Timberwolves basketball. The team’s workers would be more than happy to answer any questions you have about the Fan Central location as well as talk with you about what to expect next season.