Family fulfills goal of camping at the Great Minnesota Get-Together

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (KMSP) - In the northeast corner of the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, along Snelling Avenue, is an area of the Great Minnesota Get Together that the general public usually doesn’t see.

The campground hosts vendors, volunteers and fair employees for two weeks a year. There is also a lottery for members of the public who would like to snag a spot.

“I like the idea that I can stay all day and take my time getting to things,” said Chris Runyon of St. Paul, Minnesota.

Runyon said staying at the fairgrounds was a bucket list item for her.

“Most people that I tell think it’s really strange,” said the St. Paul native. “So we’re having a little cocktail hour at 4 p.m. and we’re inviting those people who thought we were a little crazy.”

According to State Fair representatives, the general public can enter their name in a lottery on May 31 at 9 a.m. to try and get a campsite. This year, the fair received 534 requests from the general public. 250 received a campsite.

“Convenience of course is the beauty of it,” said Chris’ husband Bob Runyon.

Members of the general public can request from one to 12 nights. The sites are filled first come, first served depending on size and type of camper and nights reserved.