MINOT, ND ( KXNET ) — Next week it will be hard for the many fairgoers to miss the colorful remodeling done to gate E.

“So, we gave that baby a face lift she is big, bright, and beautiful. She’s no longer an eyesore,” said Charlene Ratliff, the marketing director for the North Dakota State Fair

In another area on the grounds, fairgoers will be able to find a new place allowing people to take a break.

Fair leaders have set up West Park to be family friendly with the new playground with lots of shade to cool off from the sun and plenty of places to stay hydrated.

“We put the playground out there very strategically, it was a way for children and adults with sensory who don’t want to leave the fair or go sit in the car or go off and leave the fairgrounds but to escape all the excitement of the midway and the people exiting the concerts, sometimes you just need a place to go and relax,” said Ratliff.

With more livestock being shown at the fair this is another new addition to be on the lookout for the Rough Ryder Arena. It is a new show barn at the south end of the expo barn

“We decided to renovate an existing building into a new show barn and the construction on that is about 99% complete and hopefully by the end of this week that will be done,” said Craig Rudland, the general manager for the North Dakota State Fair

Also, new kiosks will now be found throughout the fairgrounds, making the ticket-buying experience easier, while also cutting down on the long lines.

Season passes, concert tickets as well as beer tickets can all be purchased at these kiosks.

“There have been over 1,500 tickets sold at the kiosks collectively and this is their first year out and about in an indoor space, so we owe a lot of that to our partners,” said Ratliff.

There are also several free shows and different types of entertainment for folks to enjoy including Sea Lion Splash and the Moto Squad Thrill Show.

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