![Minnesota State Fair First-Day Attendance Down by Half](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/06/State-Fair-crowd-1.jpg?w=630&h=420&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
Minnesota State Fair First-Day Attendance Down by Half
FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (AP) _ First-day attendance at the Minnesota State Fair was down by roughly half as the fair returned after missing last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
With simmering concern over the delta variant, and fair officials declining to require masks or proof of vaccinations, Thursday's attendance was 61,983. That's less than half of the 2019 record of about 133,000.
Thursday's light turnout was also likely affected by violent thunderstorms that moved through the Minneapolis-St. Paul area in the afternoon.
Fair officials announced earlier this month they wouldn't require face masks or proof of vaccination to attend this year's event.
Around 150 vendors have pulled out, though labor shortages and supply chain issues have also been cited as factors.
More From AM 1240 WJON
![Going to the Trump Rally in St. Cloud? Here’s What You Need to Know](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Trump-at-RNC-Photo-Brandon-Bell-Getty-Images.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New Wave of COVID-19 Increasing Cases in Minnesota](http://townsquare.media/site/341/files/2020/04/fusion-medical-animation-rnr8D3FNUNY-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Man Suffers Significant Injuries in Fire](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2020/05/Fire-gear.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Emmer Honors Retiring St. Cloud Mayor on U.S. House Floor](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Emmer-Kleis.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Virtual Ice Fishing Tournament Changes Ownership](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/02/attachment-GettyImages-1367444464.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Man Killed in Crash on Highway 23 Near Willmar](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/06/State-Patrol-Stock-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![MN DFL Breaks Fundraising Record 2nd Day in a Row](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-GettyImages-2161823256.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Why Choose St. Cloud for Saturday’s Trump-Vance Campaign Rally?](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-TrumpRally-AnnaMoneymaker-GettyImages.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![1 Teen Killed, 1 Teen Hurt While Walking on Highway](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/05/State-Patrol-WJON-Stock-.jpg?w=980&q=75)