By Tim Nelson

MPR.org/90.1 FM

ST. PAUL — For the first time ever, you can pay your way into the fair with your smartphone today.

The Minnesota State Fair is rolling out electronic ticketing today for general admission for the first time ever. The fair is selling full-price adult tickets for $13 and youth and senior tickets for $11 on the fair website.

“There started to be a demand for it. And it also helps us kind of get people through the gates quicker,” said Renee Alexander, deputy general manager at the fair. “If they show up with their tickets already in hand, or on their phone, or a paper ticket, they can get in and enjoy the fair in a lot quicker fashion.”

The tickets can be printed out with a computer. Buyers also have the option of sending a link to their phone via text message. That link pulls up an electronic ticket that can be scanned at the gate at the fair, much like airlines and sports teams have been doing in recent years.

The online ticket sales don’t include any extra fees, and require a credit card to purchase.

Tickets for discount days — for seniors and kids on Monday, active members of the military and their families on Tuesday, public library cardholders on Wednesday, seniors only on Thursday and kids only on Labor Day — have to be purchased in person at the fair. There is also a 10-ticket limit.