Park & Ride lots full across the metro on very busy day 1 of Minnesota State Fair

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (KMSP) - The first day of the Great Minnesota Get-Together has created more transportation snafus than usual this year, with reports of Park & Ride lots filling up completely across the Twin Cities metro. 

The public parking lots at the fairgrounds were full by 11:15 a.m. At 11:28 a.m., the Minnesota State Fair announced all Park & Ride lots were full. All hope is not lost, however, as both public parking and Park & Ride lots open periodically throughout the day as spaces become available. 

Traffic around the fair also caused headaches for drivers, with some people reporting it took them more than an hour to go only one mile. 

"It was bad, it was the worst," said Andrea King, a parking lot attendant at the fair. "It was very, very busy. Crazy busy." 

For some, the crowds and lack of parking were insurmountable. 

"We got around the fair but we could not get a parking place, it was crazy," said Karalyn Livingston. "So, after an hour and a half, we turned around and went back to Eagan." 

Many fairgoers said they chose to come on opening day after looking at the weather forecast for Friday and next week. Official attendance numbers for the first day will not come in until gates close on Thursday.