Juding Arena at Minnesota State Fair is Demolished

FALCON HEIGHTS  (AP) - The old Judging Arena at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds has met its demise.

The wooden structure from the 1960s was demolished last week to make way for the new AgStar Arena.

The old Judging Arena withstood five decades of storm damage and extensive use. It hosted showmanship competitions for beef, goats, lambs, swine and horses, even llamas and alpacas.

The new 27,000-square-foot AgStar Arena will be used during the fair by 4-H, FFA and other exhibitors, and during the rest of the year for livestock and equine shows. It was funded partly through a gift from AgStar Financial Services.

The Minnesota State Fair Foundation is selling paving bricks for the plaza outside the arena entrance that can be personalized to honor individuals, special events, organizations or even prized animals.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)