It's going to cost us $1 more to visit the Great Minnesota Get Together in 2017. Officials at the Minnesota State Fair made the announcement on Sunday.

Rising costs in fair production, guest services and facilities upkeep are the primary reasons, according to general manager Jerry Hammer. The new admission prices of $14 for those 13-64 and $11 for ages 5-12 and people 65 and older were approved at their annual meeting last week.

The fair also announced they will be spending $8 million on fair improvements this year. Those improvements include a new elevator on the west end of the grandstand, space outside the education building, renovations in the creative services building, various upkeep projects and $3 million to the fair's utilities and transportation infrastructure. Part of the interior retail space in the upper grandstand is going to be "The Veranda," a new shopping and dining place.

Projects are funded through the fair's revenue and grants from the State Fair Foundation. The fair does not receive government aid.

Tamara Gruhot / Townsquare Media
Tamara Gruhot / Townsquare Media
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