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Growing the North End: Tradition meets tech at the Minnesota State Fair
The Challenge: How do you maintain momentum and bring innovation to a state fair with a rich tradition of excellence? The Minnesota State Fair needed new experiences that would feel unmistakably “fair,” add technology without losing authenticity and serve 2 million annual attendees with moments that were both eye-catching and educational. The Minnesota State Fair leaders wanted to energize the North End with attractions that celebrate agriculture, history and community while also improving its wayfinding.
Year
2019Location
Falcon Heights, MinnesotaPartners
Cuningham Group
Crafting the Solution: Working side by side with the Minnesota State Fair team, DI designed, engineered and fabricated a cohesive set of landmark experiences that blend story, place and tech. A custom 24-foot cornstalk installation anchors the North End and celebrates Minnesota agriculture while creating a new meeting point and photo opp.
“[DI]'s ability to...produce the ideas quickly was impressive. The creativity and ability to hear us is not something we come across often."
– Renee Alexander, Deputy General Manager, Entertainment and Marketing, Minnesota State Fair
Integrated LED screens deliver wayfinding, fun facts, imagery and Minnesota trivia to educate guests and keep crowds moving. Custom-cut materials paired with programmed lighting reinforce the fair identity from day to night without feeling commercial. A glowing “Minnesota State Fair” marquee crowns an 11-foot structure that offers shade and seating beneath a canopy of stories and first-hand accounts from Minnesotans, connecting past to present.
RD1 Spirits
Hallmark Christmas Experience
Gainesville Dragon
Andretti Indoor Karting & Games
Woodside Cycle Studio
LEGOLAND® Resorts’ LEGO® Ferrari Build & Race
Evel Knievel Museum
Alamo Drafthouse: Flying Guillotine
Helzberg Diamonds
J. Rieger & Co. Distillery
Nebraska Crossing
Alamo Drafthouse Death Star
Cabela's
Live Nation
Boulevardia Guitar
AMC Theatres
Boulevard Brewery Tour + Recreation Center
Caribbean Cinemas
Prairie Band Casino
Lee’s Summit Green Street Grove Wickets
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Spencer Farley
Practice Director
Spencer has been an integral leader of the Entertainment, Hospitality and Retail practice at Dimensional Innovations since 2018. Having a passion for building and maintaining relationships, he has the luxury of... more about Spencer Farley
