The Minnesota State Fair on Tuesday announced the lineup for the free stages across the fairgrounds for the 2022 State Fair, which runs Thursday, August 25 to Monday, September 5.

The Minnesota State Fair has previously called itself “Minnesota’s largest music festival,” and the free-stages lineups are testament to that. Although admission to the fair is required to enter the fairgrounds, the free stages require no further ticket purchase (as opposed to Grandstand shows, which do require an additional ticket). In addition, the free stages give fairgoers two chances to see most acts, with each performer booked on a pair of consecutive days during the run of the fair.

The Leinie Lodge Bandshell, located at the base of the Space Tower between Cooper and Cosgrove Streets, features a mix of national and local acts, and this year’s nighttime lineup includes Low Cut Connie, The Jayhawks, Caitlyn Smith, and The Family Stone. Daytime offerings lean Americana, with acts like Kelly Willis, Deke Dickerson, Becky Schlegel and the High 48s, and the Irish bluegrass group We Banjo 3.

In the West End Market, the admittedly mouthful-of-a-venue-name Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater showcases local music, and this year’s bill is no exception, with Durry, Annie Mack, Turn Turn Turn, and Gully Boys all enjoying a pair of nights. And once again, First Avenue will be curating a couple nights’ lineups with a range of local artists to be announced. Daytime acts include Good Morning Bedlam, Rich Mattson and the Northstars, Jillian Rae, Kinda Fonda Wanda, and recent transplant to Minnesota, Jake La Botz.

Summit Brewing Company’s International Bazaar Stage features a range of world music and cover bands, with the Belfast Cowboys and Salsa Del Sol among the acts featured on a wide-ranging bill.

Here’s the full rundown, venue by venue: 

Leinie Lodge Bandshell — nighttime lineup:
Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry (Aug. 25 & 26) 8:30 p.m.
Caitlyn Smith (Aug. 27 & 28) 8:30 p.m.
DSL* Dire Straits Legacy (Aug. 29 & 30) 8:30 p.m.
Low Cut Connie (Aug. 31 & Sept. 1) 8:30 p.m.
The Family Stone (Sept. 2 & 3) 8:30 p.m.
The Jayhawks (Sept. 4 & 5) 7:30 p.m. 

Leinie Lodge Bandshell — daytime entertainment:
Appalachian Road Show
Tonic Sol-fa
Quinn Sullivan
Jenny and the Mexicats
The Next Generation Leahy
The 34th Infantry Division “Red Bull” Band
Dawson Hollow
Six Appeal
Becky Schlegel & The High 48s
The Jimmys
We Banjo 3
Thomasina Petrus & The King’s Quartet
Kelly Willis
Screaming Orphans
Alpensterne
B2wins
Deke Dickerson
MSF Amateur Talent Contest Semifinals

West End Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater — nighttime lineup:
Durry (Aug. 25 & 26) 8 p.m.
Honeybutter (Aug. 27 & 28) 8 p.m.
Annie Mack (Aug. 29 & 30) 8 p.m.
Turn Turn Turn (Aug. 31 & Sept. 1) 8 p.m.
First Avenue Goes To The Fair (Sept. 2 & 3) 8 p.m.
Gully Boys (Sept. 4 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m.) 

West End Market Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater — daytime lineup:
MNHS presents History On-A-Schtick
Good Morning Bedlam
Rich Mattson and the Northstars
The Minnesota State Fiddle Contest
Jillian Rae
Navy Band Great Lakes Horizon
Jake La Botz
Blue Ribbon Baroque
Wild Goose Chase Cloggers
Minnesota Americana-Roots Music Contests
Corey Medina & Brothers
Kinda Fonda Wanda
Becky Kapell 

International Bazaar Stage — nighttime lineup:
The Good, the Bad and the Funky (Aug. 25 & 26) 8 p.m.
The Belfast Cowboys (Aug. 27 & 28) 8 p.m.
Gypsy (Aug. 29 & 30) 8 p.m.
Bad Girlfriends (Aug. 31 & Sept. 1) 8 p.m.
Funktion Junction (Sept. 2 & 3) 8 p.m.
Salsa del Soul (Sept. 4 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m.) 

International Bazaar Stage — daytime lineup:
The Working Stiffs
Samantha Moon
Ukrainian Village Band
Grupo Mio
Craig Ebel & DyVersaCo
Chico Chavez Orchestra – The Kings of Cumbia
Dalmar Yare
Irie Sol
Pan-handlers Steel Drum Band
Tom Mason and the Blue Buccaneers
BATO BATO! Breck School Marimba
Native Pride Dancers

Family Fair Stage at Baldwin Park:
Allez-OOPS!
The Flyin’ Hawaiian Show
Monster Shop Bump’n
Kenny Ahern, Physical Comic
The Chipper Experience
The Circus Man – Jason D’Vaude
Lizzy – Comedy Stage Hypnosis
MSF County Fair Talent Contest

Other stages throughout the fairgrounds offer additional performances of dance, educational presentations, skills contests and more.

More information is available on the Minnesota State Fair website.