MN State Fair on Friday, Aug. 31, 2012: Fridley High School Marching Band

The Marching Band is featured in the Minnesota State Fair parade that starts at 2 p.m. Friday.

Here's how the Minnesota State Fair website describes the event:

The State Fair Mall Parade begins at 2 p.m. daily. The parade features the high school marching band competition, floats, animals, specialty units, and visiting royalty.

THE PARADE ROUTE

The 14-block parade route begins near the Haunted House, goes north on Cosgrove St., west on Randall Ave., and south on Underwood St. ending just south of the Haunted House. Parade units are announced at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell and the east side of Baldwin Park across from the Fine Arts Building. [See Fridley Patch map at right.]

MARCHING BAND COMPETITION

High school marching bands compete in the Minnesota State Fair Marching Band Competition sponsored by McDonald's during the State Fair Mall Parade. The judging area is located on Cosgrove St. between the northwest corner of the Administration Building and the south side of Dan Patch Ave.

It’s MPR Day at the Fair, and the public radio station will be broadcasting from the Carousel Park stage. The rides at Mighty Midway and Kidway have a one-ticket discount until 1 p.m. The Current's Music On-a-Stick show at the grandstand starts at 5 p.m. and features Semisonic, the Jayhawks, Dessa and Jeremy Messersmith. Tickets are $35.

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Click on Friday's Minnesota State Fair brochure PDF to read it here online, or download the PDF of the fair's website for a schedule of the day's activities and events for printing.