Entertainment at the 2008 Minnesota State Fair includes more than 100 acts at eight free venues, and a lineup of top stars, from Toby Keith to the Backstreet Boys, at the Toyota Grandstand Concert Series.

The fair opens today and runs through Sept. 1. The Great Minnesota Get-Together also features more than 450 food choices, along with hundreds of agricultural, educational and commercial exhibits and attractions.
New features include the International Bazaar, John F. Kennedy Presidential Exhibit, State Fair Chautauqua and Minnesota Wine Country's Meet the Minnesota Winemakers.

The grandstand concert schedule is:

Today: 3 Doors Down with Staind, Hinder and Jet Black Stare, $32 to $57.

Friday: Brad Paisley with Jewel and Chuck Wicks, $45.

Saturday: The Backstreet Boys with Girlicious, $29.

Sunday: Jonny Lang and Buddy Guy with Big Head Todd & The Monsters, $35.

Aug. 25: Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert, $30.

Aug. 26: Paramore with Jack's Mannequin, Phantom Planet and Paper Route, $30.

Aug. 27: Gnarls Barkley with Cloud Cult, $31.

Aug. 28: Mark Schultz with Big Daddy Weave and Lincoln Brewster, $28.

Aug. 29: "A Prairie Home Companion" with Garrison Keillor and special guest Suzy Bogguss, $22 to $27.

Aug. 30: The Black Crowes with The Black Keys, $37.

Aug. 31: Minnesota State Fair Amateur Talent Contest Finals.

Sept. 1: Toby Keith with Carter's Chord, Trailer Choir and Mica Roberts, $50.

Concert tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (651) 989-5151. Concert-goers must also purchase a fair entrance ticket.

Gate hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (gates close at 9 p.m. Sept. 1). Admission is $11 for ages 13 to 64, $9 for age 65 and older, $8 for ages 5 to 12 and free for those younger than 5. Discounted admission tickets are available for $8 through Wednesday and are valid for any age, any day of the fair.

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