Whether you’ve walked Dan Patch Avenue for two years or 22, there’s always more to see and do.

The Minnesota State Fair’s schedule boasts nearly 4,000 free activities to sort through. But what if you haven’t got a clue?

To start: Wear good shoes, drink water and breathe; don’t turn blue. Pet an animal and see a show; there are more than a few.

And you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy your day — it’s true! With this guide, we’ll help you plan all the best ways to queue, moo and view!

Thursday, Aug. 22

Daily deal >> For opening day, knock a couple bucks off admission: $16 for adults (13—64) and $13 for kids and seniors, plus merch and food deals around the Fairgrounds. And there’s more! Special promotions all day at the Mighty Midway and Kidway.

Today’s theme is >> STEM Day. As part of the celebration of science, technology, engineering and math, the University of Minnesota Physics Force will perform at at 10:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m., and the university’s Raptor Center will hold demos at 9:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. @ Dan Patch Park & Stage.

LISTEN >> Hosts of The Black Brewers Podcast will discuss the ins and outs of the beer industry. 12:30 — 1 p.m. and 2:30 — 3 p.m. @ Agriculture Horticulture Building.

SLÁINTE >> Students from St. Paul Irish dance school Rince na Chroi (pronounced “rink-a na cree”) will perform. 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. @ Cosgrove Stage, outside the Education Building

VACCINATE >> Start off the State Fair right with a flu shot to stay healthy all season long. Bring proof of insurance; ages 5 and over. Daily @ Health Fair 11 (9 a.m. — 7:30 p.m. Aug. 22 to 31; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 2)

FREE SHOW OF THE DAY >> Yes, Tommy Prine is the son of late folk legend John Prine, but he only began pursuing music in earnest after his father died in 2020 and has developed his own roots-rock style. 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. @ Leinie Lodge Bandshell Stage (same times Aug. 23)

Friday, Aug. 23

Today’s theme is >> Governor’s Fire Prevention Day. Along with quiz shows and activities all day, Gov. Tim Walz and other state officials will speak at 11:30 a.m., and a mock car crash scene will be demonstrated at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. @ Dan Patch Park & Stage.

Four for free:

BAKE >> With crickets. For real. Founders of the company 3 Cricketeers and a chef friend will demonstrate a variety of ways to use cricket powder to add protein and other nutrients to your food. 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. @ Cambria Kitchen, inside the Creative Activities Building

PREVENT FOREST FIRES >> It’s Smokey Bear’s 80th birthday! Doesn’t he look good for his age? Celebrate the big day and learn more about wildfire prevention. 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. @ DNR Volunteer Outdoor Stage

FLOP >> Watch bunny buffs battle in the 4-H Rabbit Quiz Bowl Contest. 2 p.m. @ 4H Building

FREE SHOW OF THE DAY >> Let Church of Cash lead you through the ring of fire as they honor Johnny Cash and legendary American music. 10:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. @ Leinie Lodge Bandshell Stage (same times Aug. 22)

Saturday, Aug. 24

Today’s theme is >> Hubbard Broadcasting Day. Catch the Staci & Hutch Say Too Much Podcast at 11:30 a.m., the Tom Barnard Morning Show Podcast at 1 p.m. (nobody tell him what “morning” means!), and KS95’s Dez and Taylor live at 4 p.m. @ Dan Patch Park & Stage.

Four for free:

STRING ALONG >> Can you make the best sculpture out of string cheese? Prove it in the King/Queen of the String Cheese competition, with prizes in three age divisions. Sign up at 4, competition begins 4:30 p.m. @ Moo Booth, outside the northwest corner of the Cattle Barn

ROAST >> 4-H youth under 14 will show off their secret barbecue sauce recipes on grilled chicken, bright and early in the morning. 8:30 a.m. @ Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum

OOH & AAH >> Twin Cities Trapeze Center, a St. Paul circus school, is holding pop-up performances to fly through the air. 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. @ West End Market

FREE SHOW OF THE DAY >> Funk powerhouse Mae Simpson, a rising local star, brings her soulful vocals and multi-piece band to the Fair; 8 p.m. @ Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater (same time Aug. 25)

Sunday, Aug. 25

Today’s theme is >> Indigenous Peoples Day. Tons of great programming all day, including an opening ceremony/drum circle at 9 a.m., a traditional food preservation demo at 11:15 a.m., a skit called “Questions You’re Too Afraid to Ask” at 2 p.m. and an Aztec dance group at 3:30 p.m. @ Dan Patch Park & Stage.

Four for free:

JUMP >> The MN Disc Dog Club, a group dedicated to the sport that involves tossing frisbees to dogs, will take the stage and have some fun. 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. @ Pet Pavilions Stage

PLAY >> Sheletta Brundidge and Andrew Brundidge will showcase their book “Andrew Does His Dance,” create other letter crafts and lead games to win blue ribbons. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. @ Alphabet Forest, in the family area across from the 4-H Building

UNCORK >> Think you know wine? Compete in a wine-tasting quiz show with the owners of Vine Lab Wine & Spirits Academy. 3:30 p.m. @ Minnesota Wine Country

FREE SHOW OF THE DAY >> Longstanding local Dominican ensemble Rumba Nueva brings their merengue, bachata y más; 3:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m. @ International Bazaar Stage (same times Aug. 24)

Monday, Aug. 26

Daily deal >> Seniors Day, which means those 65 and up get into the fair for $13. Plus, early-bird specials on Mighty Midway and Kidway games and rides until 1 p.m. today.

Today’s theme is >> Mental Health Awareness. Performers throughout the day include Red Tree Drum Group bright and early at 8:30 a.m., Annie Mack at 9:45 a.m., Eli Gardiner at 11:30 a.m., Abraham Westlund at 1:15 p.m., Elska & Owen Sartori at 3:00 p.m. and Mississippi Ojibwe Drum Group at 4:30 p.m. @ Dan Patch Park & Stage

Four for free:

BEEF UP >> Learn everything you need to know about meat with “Blondie the Butcher,” aka Linsdey Loken of Blondies Butcher Shop. 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. @ Christensen Farms Stage, outside the CHS Miracle of Birth Center (same times Friday, Aug. 23)

WELCOME >> More than 50 candidates for citizenship will take the Oath of Allegiance and officially become U.S. citizens. ASL interpretation is provided. 9 a.m. @ International Bazaar Stage (same time Wednesday, Aug. 28)

GASP >> Tuey, a prolific local juggler/physical performer/comedian/courter of danger, will do all the aforementioned things live and in person. 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. @ Family Fair Stage (same times Tuesday, Aug. 27, Wednesday, Aug. 28, Thursday, Aug. 29)

FREE SHOW OF THE DAY >> Duo Tom Dahill and Ginny Johnson play traditional Irish tunes. 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. @ O’Gara’s At The Fair (same times Aug. 27—30; 1—3 p.m. and 4—6 p.m. Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 and 1—4 p.m. Sept. 2)

Tuesday, Aug. 27

Daily deal >> It’s Military Appreciation Day. With documentation, $13 admission across the board for active military/spouses/kids, retired military/spouses/kids and military veterans/spouses. Plus, special promotions all day at the Mighty Midway and Kidway.

Today’s theme is >> Military Appreciation Day. A variety of presentations throughout the morning will honor military award recipients, spouses and benefactors; at 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., the Red Bull Band will perform @ Dan Patch Park & Stage

Four for free:

MOO >> Agrilympics: Celebrity Farm Animal Calling Contest. A panel of “local celebrities” will compete to perform the best animal calls. Who’s sounding off? It’s a surprise! 12:15 p.m. @ Moo Stage, outside the Cattle Barn

BUZZ >> Ask the Bug Nerds: What insect questions are really bugging you? Ask the experts. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. @ DNR Volunteer Outdoor Stage

WHAT IS…GLUTEN >> Test your knowledge with Gluten Free Jeopardy, compiled along with the official list of gluten-free Fair foods by Raising Our Celiac Kids—Twin Cites. Daily @ Health Fair 11 (9 a.m. — 8 p.m. Aug. 22 to Sept. 1; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 2)

FREE SHOW OF THE DAY >> The Scarlet Goodbye, a power duo sparked by a chance meeting, features musicians Dan Murphy (previously of Soul Asylum) and Jeff Arundel. 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. @ Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater (same times Aug. 26)

Wednesday, Aug. 28

Daily deal >> Kids Day equals $13 admission for those aged 5—12. Plus, special promotions all day at the Mighty Midway and Kidway.

Today’s theme is >> Theater Day. At 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., catch a 75-minute family performance of “Shrek the Musical Junior” @ Dan Patch Park & Stage

Four for free:

BUZZ >> Do you want to grow a beard of bees? Every summer for more than two decades, Gary Reuter from the University of Minnesota Bee Lab builds a beard of live bees on the faces of a couple of brave volunteers. Watch him pull it off again: 1 p.m. @ Agriculture Horticulture Building

CHILL >> Get a little taste of snowier times as the Klondike Kates, characters in the St. Paul Winter Carnival legend, perform cabaret-style. 12 p.m. @ Frontier Bar

WALK THE RUNWAY >> 4-Hers, both human and llama or alpaca, dress in matching costumes for the 4-H Llama-Alpaca Costume Competition. After winners are announced, they’ll play some inter-species games. 6 p.m. @ Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum

FREE SHOW OF THE DAY >> The McNasty Brass Band is a massive ensemble of local horn players and percussionists who play “hard-hitting dance music” inspired by both the Minneapolis Sound and New Orleans. 10:45 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. @ International Bazaar Stage (same times Aug. 29)

Thursday, Aug. 29

Daily deal >> Seniors Day round two; $13 admission for those 65+. Plus, early-bird specials on Mighty Midway and Kidway games and rides until 1 p.m. today.

Today’s theme is >> UCare Stretch & Stroll Day, featuring a variety of music performances and fitness programs throughout the day @ Dan Patch Park & Stage

Four for free:

CHEER >> Our local Agrilympics celebrities are back as they’re given 20 minutes to carve a one-pound block of butter. Hope they churn out something good! 12:15 p.m. @ Moo Stage, outside the Cattle Barn

NEIGH >> At the horse show today, miniature driving, walking and pinto horses, and horsemanship maneuvers. Plus, in the tandem bareback category, two equestrians ride on one horse. 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. @ Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum

GET BETTER WITH AGE >> David Wett, the vineyard manager and winemaker at Cannon River Winery, talks about reserve wines and a new collaboration with a cheesemaker to create a wine cheddar. Samples, too, of course. 3:30 p.m. @ Minnesota Wine Country

FREE SHOW OF THE DAY >> Sibling trio Renata The Band, hailing from Nashville, brings energetic country music. 10:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. @ Leinie Lodge Bandshell Stage (same times Aug. 28)

Friday, Aug. 30

Daily deal >> Early-bird specials on Mighty Midway and Kidway games and rides until 1 p.m. today.

Today’s theme is >> MPR Day, where MPR News, Classical MPR and 89.3 The Current present a variety of shows: The Twins of Franklyn at 10:30 a.m., Minnesota Wind Orchestra at 12:30 and Nur-D at 4 p.m. @ Dan Patch Park & Stage

Four for free:

FIRST POSITION >> Continental Ballet Company performs as part of the 2024 Arts A’Fair program. 9:30 a.m., 10:15

a.m., 11:45 a.m., 12:30 p.m. @ East Grandstand Plaza (same times Aug. 31)

WHEY YOURSELF >> A good old-fashioned eating contest. Can you stuff your face with the most cottage cheese and yogurt? Win a prize! 10:30 a.m. @ Moo Stage, outside the Cattle Barn

CARVE >> Stick around for another dairy competition — this time, butter-carving. Sign up starting at 4 p.m. Butter Carve-O-Rama contest at 4:30 @ Moo Stage, outside the Cattle Barn

FREE SHOW OF THE DAY >> Nashville alt-rock quintet Moon Taxi lands at the Fair; 8:30 p.m. @ the Leinie Lodge Bandshell Stage (same time Aug. 31)

Saturday, Aug. 31

Today’s theme is >> Pan-Latino Day, where you can find a variety of cultural installations and programming all day @ Dan Patch park & Stage

TAKE A SEAT >> In teams of two, FFA members have two hours to build a wooden bench. 8 a.m. @ Agriculture Horticulture Building

FLIP OUT >> Allez-OOPS! combines silly circus and visual comedy for an all-ages “high-octane slapstick spectacle.” 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. @ Family Fair Stage (same times Aug. 28—Sept. 2; the 3:30 show daily is ASL-interpreted)

DON’T FALL >> The Timberworks Lumberjack Show is a forest-sports decathlon featuring buck saw, logroll, ax throwing, speed climbing, and more. 12 p.m., 3 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m. @ North Woods Stage (daily; same times)

FREE SHOW OF THE DAY >> Local musician Mark Joseph & The American Soul rocks the blues. Catch him today (or every day of the fair; same times) from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. @ Cafe Caribe (noon—4 p.m. Sept. 2)

Sunday, Sept. 1

WATCH >> St. Paul-based CAAM Chinese Dance Theater performs as part of the 2024 Arts A’Fair program. 9:30 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 12:30 p.m. @ East Grandstand Plaza (same times Sept. 2)

DIFFERENT KIND OF MASK >> In the Heart of the Beast Puppet & Mask Theatre will set up shop with art activities, puppet stories and plenty of masks and puppets to explore. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. @ DNR Garden Stage (ASL interpretation onstage from noon to 12:30 p.m.)

MOO >> That’s all there is to it, really. Communicate with cows as part of this annual moo-ing competition. Sign up at 2 p.m. The 26th Annual Great Minnesota Moo-Off starts 2:30 @ Moo Stage, outside the Cattle Barn

FREE SHOW OF THE DAY >> Local saxophonist/songwriter/electronic musician/breakout LAAMAR blends folk, soul, R&B and country onstage; 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. @ Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater (same times Sept. 2)

Monday, Sept. 2

Daily deal >> For the last day, kids get in for $13. Plus, special promotions all day at the Mighty Midway and Kidway.

Today’s theme is >> Hmong Minnesota Day, now in its ninth year, brings to the stage a variety of Hmong singers, dancers, martial artists and other leaders throughout the day @ Dan Patch Park & Stage

SAY MAGIC WORDS >> After you see baby animals in the CHS Miracle of Birth Center, catch the Thank a Farmer Magic Show right outside. 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m., @ Christensen Farms Stage (happening every day of the fair; same times. 1 p.m. shows are ASL-interpreted)

SPEAK FOR THE TREES >> The classic story “The Lorax” is retold with puppets, presented by the group We All Need Food & Water. 3 p.m. @ Dirt Stage in the Agriculture Horticulture Building (also at 4 p.m. Aug. 28)

DANCE >> Monster Shop Bump’n has performed their acrobatics and breakdancing all over the world, and now they’re here! 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. @ Family Fair Stage (every day of the fair; same times)

FREE SHOW OF THE DAY >> Appropriate for closing time of the State Fair, rockers Semisonic play; 7:30 p.m. @ Leinie Lodge Bandshell Stage (same time Sept. 1)