The 2013 Minnesota State Fair has many new features and attractions, including a demonstration home that will be of interest for many people with disabilities and senior citizens. The Smart Solutions for Aging at Home exhibit will be housed in the 4-H Building’s street level. It will be open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day.
“We’re excited to be part of this year’s fair,” said Michelle Witte, Older But Wiser Living founder. She said the information and displays planned will be useful for people with disabilities and seniors. The interactive exhibit is designed to help visitors and caregivers facing the challenges of aging or chronic health issues envision how they can transform their current homes into more user-friendly spaces.
The exhibit is an idea house, which will showcase innovative product solutions and services that help support independence—ranging from simple household goods to new wireless technology to meal services and more.
The exhibit is presented through a partnership of the Minnesota State Fair, Aging Services of Minnesota and Older but Wiser Living. Older but Wiser Living is a company dedicated to helping consumers get wiser about the products and services available to them to live life with greater ease, comfort and independence as they grow older.
Other fun attractions include an expanded fair history tour that can be taken via Smartphone, a larger LEGO display, new rides, added open class competitions, more art around the fairgrounds and more animal exhibits. A complete list of all of the new attractions can be found at www.mnstatefair.org/fun/13_new_attractions.html
One change smokers should watch for is restrictions on where people can and cannot smoke. In January the fair’s board of managers voted to ban smoking in almost all open-air areas of the fairgrounds. Previously smoking had been prohibited in fair buildings or in entertainment seating areas such as the band shell and grandstand.
Smokers should watch for designated smoking areas, the only places smoking will be allowed. The areas will be marked on fair maps. Anyone with questions should visit a fair information booth or check www.mnstatefair.org/general_info/guest_services.html
