Historic + Popular Attraction At The Minnesota State Fair Forced To Close

Anyone heading to the Minnesota State Fair with hopes of riding more than 300 feet above the fairgrounds on the historic Space Tower will be disappointed this year.

The Space Tower is a permanent amusement ride on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, standing located at the southeast corner of the Minnesota State Fair. Built in, 1964 it sits over 300 feet tall with a seating capacity of 50-60 passengers. The ride, which takes about 3-5 minutes per ride, is a tradition for many due to its history and for the unsurpassed views it provides as it slowly rotates high above ground.

According to its website, construction on the Space Tower was started in 1964. The parts were first manufactured in Germany and then shipped to the United States on ships. An interesting side note for Northland residents is that those parts first arrived arriving in Duluth where they were loaded onto trucks and brought down to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.

From 1964 until now, the Space Tower has been a staple at the Minnesota State Fair. Unfortunately, for those who have yet to attend the fair this year, it will not be available.

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According to the StarTribune, Errol and Gretchen Kantor, who own and operate the attraction, say a crucial piece of electronic equipment has broken down and they will be unable to get the replacement part before the fair ends this year. The Minnesota State Fair runs through Labor Day on September 4.

RELATED: 13 Tips To Make Your Trip The Minnesota State Fair The Best Ever

The good news is while the Space Tower is out of commission for the rest of the fair this year, there are certainly countless other things to see, do and eat at the Great Minnesota Get Together.