The 300-member U Marching Band will play a selection of school songs and Broadway tunes at the Maroon and Gold Day Parade on Sunday, Aug. 27.
U at the Minnesota State Fair
Aug. 22, 2006
It's that time of year again--think corn dogs, deep-fried Twinkies, the Tilt-A-Whirl, everything imaginable on a stick, and wall-to-wall Minnesotans trying to take it all in... .
Yes, the Minnesota State Fair opens Thursday, Aug. 24., and over the course of 12 days (through Monday, Sept. 4), the University of Minnesota will be among the largest attractions there.
More than 100 University experts and scholars are scheduled to share their cutting-edge research and discoveries at the University's building and stage on the corner of Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street. Visitors can also view the innovations the University has brought to life or is currently working on at various locations throughout the fairgrounds as it embarks on its goal to become one of world's top three public research institutions.
This year's highlights at the University of Minnesota building include:
- The U's Scout robots and world champion endurance athlete "Rocket" Rod Raymond on the U of M stage. Raymond, the life fitness and wellness coordinator at the University of Minnesota, Duluth, will offer tips on achieving optimal health, while computer science professor Nikolaos Papanikolopoulos will discuss how his soda can-sized robots are used in search-and-rescue missions. (Stage programs will be held daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; see state fair link below for the daily schedule.
- The "Stadium Experience" exhibit--a stylized mini stadium that pays homage to Gopher football. Check out Gopher memorabilia or sit in the bleachers and watch Gopher sports reels or a video about the U's plan for a new stadium scheduled for groundbreaking this fall. You can also buy football tickets for the 2006 home opener against Temple University on Sept. 16 at only $10 each.
- Maroon and Gold Day on Sunday, Aug. 27. Activities include the Know Your U trivia contest, the Maroon and Gold Day Parade and the celebrity guacamole cook-off with special guest chefs--U of M Alumni Association chief executive officer Margaret Sughrue Carlson and University president Robert Bruininks and his wife, Susan Hagstrum.
- Daily giveaways. This year's giveaways include a limited edition maroon and gold mesh drawstring backpack filled with information on U programs. Visitors can also register to win a pair of tickets to "Headliners," the new current-events forum with University of Minnesota experts.
Free shuttle to the
fair
Catch a quick ride to the fairgrounds on the express transitway.
The free shuttle departs from the Huron Blvd. parking complex on
the Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis and runs 8 a.m. to midnight
daily (10 p.m. on Labor Day).
For a summary of event highlights, listen to U of M
Moment or download
U of M at the Minnesota State Fair.
For a complete schedule of U-related activities and exhibits at the Minnesota State Fair, see U at the Minnesota State Fair. Once you're at the Web site, you can also buy $7 discounted admission tickets (the regular price is $9 for adults) and download a copy of the handy "Gopher's Guide to the Minnesota State Fair."
The Minnesota State Fair is one of the many ways the U works to keep Minnesotans abreast of what's going on at their state's only public research university. Last year, more than 1.6 million people visited the fair--one of the largest state fairs in the United States.
U activities in other Minnesota state fair buildings include:
- 4-H building, U of M Extension Service: View more than 7,000 exhibits, including clothing, gardening and photography projects, as well as some 2,200 "blue ribbon" livestock entrants during the fair's first four days.
- Horticulture building: Visit with a master gardener or meet U landscape designers, flower and rose breeders and turfgrass experts. Demonstrations take place at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
- Progress Center (previously the Wonders of Technology building): The latest U research on fuels from renewable biomass and the next generation of biofuels are part of the Eco Experience exhibit. A solar vehicle built by U students will also be on display. U experts will be available to talk about sustainable building products and construction methods.
- Fine Arts Building: "Kerlan treasures: Gems from the trove" by the University of Minnesota Libraries' Children's Literature Research Collections. The exhibit features more than 20 pieces of artwork from the 1920s to the present and also provides information on the different processes that art and manuscripts go through to become a book. Guest storytellers and Poky Little Puppy will make special appearances.
A Goldy butterhead, carved by U staff out of a 55-pound block of
butter, on display at the Coffman Union food court last week to
promote the U's 2006 appearance at the state fair.
Further reading Hardy U elms find home at state fair Made for the shade