Free State Fair Parking in Roseville and Thursday Highlights

On Day 8 of the Minnesota State Fair, it's Seniors Day  with admission $7 for those 65 and older.

Cattle, sheep and swine leave the fair at 2 p.m., and barns will be closed for the rest of the day. The rides at Mighty Midway and Kidway have a one ticket discount until 1 p.m.

More than 1,000 fair-goers are expected to participate in the Senior Stretch & Stroll. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. and the program at 10 a.m. in Carousel Park. Held annually on the second Thursday of the fair, participants receive free t-shirts and fitness equipment.

Rascal Flatts plays the grandstand at 7 p.m. Limited seating is available for $43, $53 and $63. Check out the fair's website for a schedule of the day's activities and events.

Free parking in Roseville

Meanwhile, with nearly 2 million people expected to attend the 2012 Minnesota State Fair during its 12-day run, there are plenty of motorists looking for parking spots in and around the fairgrounds.

But if you want to avoid parking hassles, there are plenty of free park-and-ride sites in Roseville that can get you to and from the Fair.

According to the Minnesota State Fair, here are:

Roseville locations where free parking is available daily (*Note: Church parking lots open at 1 p.m. on Sundays):

Roseville Covenant Church*
Hamline Ave. and County Rd. C2

Unisys
Walnut and County Rd. B2 (Terminal Rd.)

Grace Church of Roseville*
One block east of Hamline Ave. on Co. Rd. B2

Roseville Area High School
East of Hamline Ave. on County Rd. B2

Church of Corpus Christi*
SW corner of County Rd. B and Fairview Ave.

St. Michael's Lutheran Church*
On County Rd. B, west of Snelling Ave. (Not available Saturday, Aug. 25)

Minnesota Department of Education
East of Target, north of County Rd. B. (Pascal St. & Commerce St.)

Calvary Church*
South of County Rd. B on Lexington Avenue

North Como Presbyterian Church*
Larpenteur Ave. and Victoria St.

I-35 and County Rd. C
Parking ramp east of I-35W at County Rd. C and Cleveland Ave.

Location where free parking is available weekdays:

Centennial United Methodist Church
One block east of Snelling on County Rd. C2

Parking every day except Saturdays (and parking available after 1 p.m. on Sundays)

St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church*
Two blocks south of County Rd. B on Hamline

Parking Available Only on Weekends and Labor Day

Thrivent Financial
East of Snelling Ave. between County Rd. C2 and County Rd. C

Water's Edge
On County Road B2, east of Snelling Ave.

Rosedale Towers
North of County Rd. B, west of Snelling Ave.

Roseville Professional Center
On Hamline Ave., south of Hwy. 36

For a complete guide to admission prices, hours and other Fair-related information,

Meawhile, here are Wednesday's (Aug. 28) highlights for the fair:

It’s Read & Ride Day at the fair, and public library cardholders of all ages receive a $2 or $3 discount on admission. Visitors can test their knowledge at the "Spin & Win" trivia wheel and test their luck at Library Plinko. Kiss and Mötley Crüe play together at the grandstand at 7 p.m. Limited seating is available for $51, $71 and $81. Check out the fair's website for a schedule of the day's activities and events.

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