2026 Minnesota State Fair
Vendor Information

• Tuesday, Nov 25, 2025 Info and interest session. *Begin Vendor application process.

• Friday, January 9, 2026
  Vendor applications to MGM due.

• Wednesday, January 28, 2026
  MGM Decisions are made to submit to MN State Fair for final approval.

• Health Documents & Insurance Due:

• Vendor Load-In Day:

• First Day of Fair:‍ ‍
  August 27, 2026

• Last Day of Fair: September 7, 2026

• Post-Fair Debrief: TBD

☐ Submit vendor application to Midtown Global Market

☐ Submit New Foods item

☐ Provide high-quality photo and description for New Foods submission

☐ Finalize menu,  pricing & pictures

☐ Obtain proper food license (Minnesota Department of Health)

☐ Provide Certificate of Insurance naming MN State Fair as additional insured

☐ Submit sales tax ID and be prepared to collect/remit tax

☐ Approve signage proof or submit custom signage requests

☐ Prepare food safety setup

☐ Arrange equipment for cooking, storage, and serving

☐ Prepare a staff list for parking and ticketing

☐ Train staff on food safety and booth operations

☐ Confirm load-in date and drop-off instructions

☐ Prepare labeled bins for dry and cold storage

☐ Bring necessary cleaning and sanitation supplies

☐ Review emergency contact info and procedures

☐ Set up point-of-sale system (cash, card, or both)

☐ Track daily sales for reporting

☐ Plan for card fees, receipts, and bookkeeping

☐ Remove all equipment and materials by teardown deadline

☐ Attend post-Fair debrief

☐ Submit final sales report

GATE ADMISSION AND VENDOR PARKING
The State Fair operates an “all pay” gate. Each person entering the fairgrounds, including employees and delivery personnel, must have an admission ticket each day. No passes or complimentary tickets of any kind are provided by the State Fair. Vendor Discount Gate Tickets Vendor discount gate admission tickets are available to licensed concessionaires and exhibitors only for $16 each when ordered by mail or online through the ticket order task in your exhibitor portal. Payment for such tickets must be received by AUG TBD for orders to be mailed, or AUG TBD for orders to be picked up at the State Fair Ticket Office on the fairgrounds.

Order forms will be mailed to licensed concessionaires & exhibitors in early June, and every Monday after for newly licensed concessionaires & exhibitors. If you have not received your order form, contact the ticket office at 651-288-4427 for a copy. Concessionaires & exhibitors only may also purchase pre-fair discount gate admission tickets over the counter for $17 each at the State Fair Ticket Office located at 1640 Como Ave., Aug. 1 through Aug. 20. Tickets purchased over the counter are subject to limits. Please call the ticket office at 651-288-4427 for more information. Concessionaires & exhibitors and their staff will need an admission ticket for each day they wish to enter the State Fair.

• Booth Setup & Fair Logistics

• Lot Site: 103 & 104 at International Bazaar

• Booth Size: 20’ x 10’

• Provided: Access to electricity, prep space, and shared sink

• Midtown Global Market provides:
  (1) DSL Circuits
  (1) Modem
  (1) Tech Installation

  • Vendors provide POS

Midtown Global Market works with the public relations firm Nemer Fieger to coordinate publicity efforts for its vendors participating in the Minnesota State Fair. This includes handling media outreach, messaging, and especially the New Foods Submission process — which is one of the Fair’s most high-profile PR opportunities.

Each year, Nemer Fieger collects and submits new food ideas, descriptions, and photos on behalf of Midtown Global Market vendors to the State Fair’s marketing team. They help ensure each entry meets media standards and has the best chance of being selected for the official “New Foods” list. If a vendor's dish is chosen, Nemer Fieger also supports media coordination, including interviews, photo shoots, and press previews — helping vendors shine on a statewide stage.

This partnership ensures Midtown Global Market vendors are professionally represented and integrated into the Fair’s powerful promotional engine.

Participation in PR services through Nemer Fieger is mandatory with participation for Midtown Global Market vendors at the Minnesota State Fair. The cost of this service split between vendors. The goal is simply to ensure your food and booth are well-positioned for media exposure, especially for New Foods consideration.

MIDTOWN GLOBAL MARKET

TASTE BOOTH AGREEMENT

2026 SEASON
As part of Midtown Global Market’s mission, we partner with the Minnesota State Fair to support Midtown Global Market (MGM) vendors at the Minnesota State Fair in Midtown Global Market’s Taste Booth.  We look forward to working together for a successful and profitable 2026 Minnesota State Fair.  Please review the following guidelines and sign below.  If you have any questions, please let us know. 

Eligibility to participate in Midtown Global Market’s Taste Booth at the Minnesota State Fair:

-          Participant is current with all MGM, LLC lease obligations – NO past due rent or other past due financial obligations with MGM, LLC.

-          Participant’s menu has been fully approved by Minnesota State Fair Staff.

-          Participant agrees to fully cooperate with Midtown Global Market staff, 2nd party vendor and Minnesota State Fair representatives.

-          Participant agrees to fulfill ALL Minnesota State Fair obligations (see MN State Fair Concessionaire Guide).

-          Midtown Global Market Taste Booth shall remain open for business during Minnesota State Fair operations 9:00 am – 9:00 pm (Closes at 8 p.m. on Labor Day).

-          Participant agrees to work with 2nd party vendor with renting equipment including any and all cooking equipment, tables, coolers (including cooler/freezer in parking lot). 

-          Participant is responsible for paying their share of all expenses including but not limited to: Minnesota State Fair tickets, insurance, licensing and fees, cups, storage, parking stalls, Midtown Global Market Fees, Minnesota State Fair Fees, Marketing and PR, signage, etc. 

The Midtown Global Market Taste Booth is owned and operated by Midtown Global Market, LLC.  Midtown Global Market staff will be available to support vendors with general operations questions, licensing, Minnesota State Fair tickets, parking stalls and cooler parking licensing. 

Midtown Global Market divides up the 12 days of the fair between 2 vendors, 6 days each.  2026. schedule will be as follows:

Dates: Aug 27-Sept 7, 2026

On day 6 (Tuesday, Sept 1), the booth closes at 9pm.  The first vendor exits and cleans up the entire booth.  Then the next vendor comes in at 10pm and sets up to open the following morning by 9am.  The second vendor exits and cleans the entire booth after the fair is finished, Monday, September 8th. (Closes at 8pm on Labor Day).

MDH Special Event Food License  - additional required license to operate at the fair. 

The Midtown Global Market Taste Booth is required to be open from 9am – 9pm every day of the Minnesota State Fair August 27– September 7.

Typical Fees include but are not limited to:

·  State Fair Fees                                                                  TBD – 15% of net sales

·  Stand Fees                                                                          TBD – Final Bill  Previous totals avg. $2,500   Utilities                                                                                 TBD – Final Bill  Previous totals avg. $1,000

·  Parking vehicle stall (fits 3 average cars)                 Approx. $600 (2 for Taste and 1 for retail)

·  Walk-in Cooler Stall                                                         Approx. $300

· State Fair Cups & Lids (if applicable)                         TBD – based on vendor order

· State Fair Entry Tickets                                                  TBD – Appx. $1,200 depending on staffing levels

·  Equipment rental –Participants are permitted to bring their own equipment, rent equipment from a 2nd party vendor or split the cost on any shared equipment rental. Midtown Global Market Taste Booth comes with a hand sink, a 3-compartment sink, 8-foot hood system, fire extinguishers and fire suppression system. All equipment that is the responsibility of the Midtown Global Market Taste Booth is fully inspected and cleaned prior to any occupancy.

·  Participants are required to purchase all cups and lids directly from the Minnesota State Fair. 

· Minnesota State Fair Fees.  15% paid daily no later than 2pm the following day onsite at the Minnesota State Fair Sales office.  This 15% fee is your total sales, less sales tax.

·  Midtown Global Market Fees.5% is paid to Friends of the Global Market, LLC after the participants scheduled time at the Minnesota State Fair.  This fee is 5% of your total sales, less sales tax. You will also receive an invoice for all outstanding and/or additional expenses.  Participants will have five (5) business days after their assigned schedule, to pay the fees and any outstanding/additional expenses that accrued during their time at the booth.

·  Insurance. See attached insurance requirements. Insurance certificates must be presented to Midtown Global Market management team by June 1, 2026.

·  Prior to occupying the space, participants must identify any needs for repairs, utility hookups and any other capital improvement at least one (1) month prior to opening the space. This includes the any and all rental equipment or personal equipment brought to the space. All improvements and upgrades will be at the expense of the participant(s).

·  Participants shall occupy the booth according to the schedule and agree to work together, per the Code of Conduct in their Midtown Global Market, LLC lease agreement, to ensure a smooth transition during the State Fair.

The New Foods Submission process for the Minnesota State Fair is a key promotional opportunity — it gives vendors the chance to have their dish featured in the highly anticipated "New Foods" list that draws massive media and public attention.

Here’s how it works:
Each year, the Minnesota State Fair highlights a curated list of new and creative foods debuting at the fair. This list receives major media coverage, social media buzz, and tons of foot traffic.

Who Can Submit?
Any licensed food vendor approved to sell at the Fair — including Midtown Global Market participants — can submit one or more new items for consideration.

Here’s what you’ll need to provide:

1. Food Item Name

2. Detailed Description

   • What’s in it, how it’s made, what makes it unique

3. High-Quality Photo

   • Professionally shot or well-lit, ideally styled for marketing

   • Horizontal/landscape orientation preferred

4. Price Point

5. Booth Name & Location

6. Why It's New

   • This should be a food that’s never been served at the MN State Fair before (twists on existing foods are acceptable)

When Is It Due?

• Typically due in late spring or early summer (exact date varies each year. For 2026, expect a late May deadline)

• The Fair marketing team then reviews submissions and selects the official list

How to Submit

1. Your vendor coordinator: Friends of Global Market; coordinates all pre-approved submissions and forwards them to the MN State Fair marketing team.

What Happens After Submission?

• If accepted, your item is featured in the official “New Foods at the Fair” announcement (typically released in early July)

• You may be contacted for media previews or interviews

• Items often appear in press articles, TV news segments, and the Fair's own promotions

Tips to Get Picked

• Be creative — think Instagram-worthy, bold flavors, local ingredients, or cultural fusions

• Avoid simple items like “a new kind of burger” unless there’s a twist

• Include eye-catching visuals — great photos often help get selected

Submit Your Menu, Pricing & Photos

All vendors must submit their final menus and pricing by TBD: JULY 2026.
Signage will be created based on this info, so please double-check for accuracy.

Menu Submission Form:

Signage Guidelines:

• File types: PDF or PNG

• Resolution: 300dpi

• Include logo, allergens, and final pricing

• Submit custom signage requests to: Mtell@thefogm.org

• All vendors must hold the proper food licenses.

  • For standard food service (e.g. sandwiches, hot meals, beverages), license is through the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) .

  • Other special event permits may be available through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), but MDH licensing applies when food is the primary service Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

• License applications must be submitted at least 14 days prior to the event to ensure compliance

• ST19 Form

• Workers Comp Form

• Maintenance Improvement Request For (as needed)

The Minnesota State Fair is the sole supplier of all beverage cups used on the State Fairgrounds. No cups of any kind other than those supplied by the Minnesota State Fair may be used on the fairgrounds.

New for 2025: Vendors are not required to pour non-alcoholic beverages in a can into a State Fair cup; the can is permitted to be handed directly to the fair guest. Glass bottles must still be poured into a State Fair cup.

Distribution of cups will take place from the Cup Warehouse in the Food Building Court (1299 Cooper St.), where cups may be picked up as you need them during the following hours:

Cup Warehouse Hours:

Tuesday, Aug. 19 and Wednesday, Aug. 20 . . . . . . . . .8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fair time (Aug. 21 to Sept. 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Unopened cases of cups may be returned to the cup warehouse for a credit from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 2.

For information regarding food and beverage cups, please contact Danielle Dullinger at danielle.dullinger@mnstatefair.org.