The American classic rocker, Kid Rock, will be the first act to perform during the 2012 State Fair on Friday, July 20.  Hits like “Cowboy”, “Only God Knows Why”, and “All Summer Long” have led this performer to five Grammy Nominations.

The first country concert of the Fair will be Zac Brown Band, on Saturday, July 21. The group will perform their award winning singles including “Chicken Fried”, “Free”, “Colder Weather”, and “Knee Deep”.   Luke Bryan will make the North Dakota State Fair a stop on his Tailgates and Tanlines tour on Sunday July 22.  Luke’s movie star good looks and relatable lyrics will take the stage with top-charting hits like “All My Friends Say”, “Country Girl (Shake it for Me)”, and “Rain is a Good Thing”. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, known for songs like “Cadillac Ranch” and “Fishing in the Dark” will call the State Fair home on Wednesday, July 25.

Chris Young will be performing on Thursday, July 26. With his last four singles hitting #1 on the charts, hits like “Tomorrow”, will be accompanied by other smash hits including  “Gettin’ You Home” and “The Man I Want to Be”.  The talented and charismatic Blake Shelton will be ready to wow the crowd on Friday, July 27. The Grandstand will be filled with familiar tunes such as “Austin”, “Honey Bee”, “All About Tonight”, and “God Gave Me You”.

Hits like “Double Vision”, “Feels Like the First Time” and “Cold as Ice” will be rocking the Grandstand when Foreigner finishes out the Fair on Saturday, July 28.

The Grandstand Country Showpass will be $75 Standing Room or $85 Reserved Seating and will include:

Saturday, July 21 – Zac Brown Band

Sunday, July 22 – Luke Bryan

Monday, July 23 – Enduro Race*

Tuesday, July 24 – IMCA Stock Car Races and Modifieds*

Wednesday, July 25 – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band*

Thursday, July 26 – Chris Young

Friday, July 27 – Blake Shelton

*General Admission Events

Kid Rock tickets will be $55 for standing room and $65 for reserved seating. If purchased with Kid Rock, Foreigner tickets will be only $15. Purchased on their own, Foreigner tickets will cost $25.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.ndstatefair.com, by phone at 701-852-3247 or in person at the State Fair Center. Tickets will also be sold at the State Fair ticket kiosk in the Herberger’s Court at the Dakota Square Mall. A ticket presale for State Fair Foundation members will occur on March 5  and March 6. Call the State Fair office for more information.  Dates for the 2012 North Dakota State Fair are July 20-July 28.  More information is available at www.ndstatefair.com.

You can’t go wrong with on the spot financing and free delivery and set-up with purchase. Also, if the home is purchased at the sale by Monday, Feb.20 at 5:00pm, you will receive a free flat screen TV and Washer/Dryer combo!  Buy now for the year’s lowest prices and best interest rates. Don’t miss the largest annual home sale event in North Dakota!

Iseman Homes Indoor Sale Schedule:

• Friday, February 17, 10am-7pm
• Saturday, February 18, 9am-6pm
• Sunday, February 19, 12pm-5pm
• Monday, February 20, 9am-5pm

Responsibilities: The position will include drafting news releases, statewide and Canadian dissemination of advertising materials, preparing content for website and blogs, assisting with publicity, coordinating social media initiatives, managing customer relations, organizing and coordinating special events, editing, proofreading and various clerical duties.

Qualifications: Applicants must demonstrate excellent grammar and punctuation skills and be organized, detail orientated, and have the ability to work in a fast pace environment on multiple tasks. Candidates should be energetic and dedicated.

Those seeking invaluable experience in a fun learning environment are encouraged to apply. Ideal candidates will be working towards a degree in Marketing, Communications, Advertising, Public Relations or a related field.

This is a paid, full time position beginning mid-May working through August 17, 2012. Consideration given to applicants that would be available to start part-time in April and early May. Standard office hours are Monday- Friday, 8am to 5pm, with some nights/weekends in addition to extended hours July 16 – 29, including nights and weekends.

To Apply

Mail resume, cover letter and North Dakota State Fair job application to:

North Dakota State Fair, Marketing Department, P.O. Box 1796, Minot, ND 58702

All applications must be received by March 2, 2012 to be considered. The North Dakota State Fair does not provide housing assistance and recommends all applicants explore housing options in Minot prior to applying.

Appearing in Minot on May 23, 2012, Tech N9NE will be setting  the record for the longest hip hop tour ever done, so don’t miss out on history in the making! Get your tickets now! Tickets are available in advance for $38 and the concert is open to all ages.  This intense show will start at 8pm in Magic Place located in the North Dakota State Fair Center. Tickets are available today and can be purchased at Budget Video or online at www.brownpaperticket.com.

The North Dakota State Fair Center is playing host to the 2012 Clear Channel Bridal Showcase on Sunday, February 19 from 1 to 4pm. Tickets are available in advance for only $8 each at Mary Me Bridal, Wedding World and Fiancee. So far they have more than 48 vendors signed up, you aren’t going to want to miss this event!

Of course we want to send you to this event for free! We’re giving away a pair of tickets to the showcase. All you need to do to get in the drawing is post your engagement story on the ND State Fair Center Facebook page. So tell us how he popped the question and we’ll get you in the drawing! Hurry though you only have until Friday at Noon!

 The North Dakota State Fair Center will be offering information on wedding rental services.  Brides and bridal parties are encouraged to stop by the State Fair Center booth to view the many rooms and options that the State Fair Center can offer for an exceptional wedding reception. In addition to room rentals, the State Fair Center also offers rentals for tables, chairs, staging, curtains and set-up opportunities.

The show begins at 1pm with a one-hour professionally produced bridal show featuring three bridal stores beginning at 4pm. Tickets are $8 in advance and can be purchased at Fiancee, Wedding World, and Mary Me Bridal. They are also available for $10 at the door.

OR you could win a pair of tickets! We are giving away tickets to the best 80′s photo posted to the North Dakota State Fair Center Facebook Page! Scan in that yearbook photo or upload your best 80′s rendition for a chance at tickets! Hurry though, you only have until Friday to get in on the winning!

The KMOT Ag Expo is open to everyone. Parking and admission are free and there is a heated shuttle bus to bring you from the parking lot to the front door.  Stop by the KMOT/Bremer Information Booth to find an official program with exhibitor maps and listings, as well as a seminar room schedule.

For more information call 701-852-5254 or email agexpo@kmot.com.

The battle will be taking place Thursday, January 12  & Friday, January 13 from 9am-7pm and Saturday, January 14 & Monday, January 16 from 9am-5pm.

Two of our North Dakota State Fair family members will be heading to Nashville and appearing on RFD TV! Dean and Kathy Clott have been long time partners of the Fair. They manage the sound and lights on Jukebox Junkie, Dakota Talent and the Flickertail Gardens free entertainment stages. Dean and Kathy are long time performers (you may remember the band Badlands Express that Dean played in). Earlier this year they submitted a tape of them performing as the Us Band to RFD Network and received an invitation to record a four minute segment with Shotgun Red. Dean and Kathy will travel to Nashville to record on January 17. The taping will then air later this spring. If you miss their performance on RFD TV don’t worry, they will also be performing on the Jukebox Junkie stage at the 2012 North Dakota State Fair!

Channels that RFD-TV is carried on in Minot can be found by searching the Minot zip code on the RFD-TV website.