MINOT (AP) - This city's annual Norsk Hostfest is getting under way a little earlier this year, a move aimed at improving conditions for what officials describe as the largest Scandinavian heritage festival in North America.

The Hostfest will begin Tuesday on the State Fairgrounds and run through Oct. 5, while the annual Y's Men's Rodeo will run Oct. 9-12 in the All Seasons Arena on the grounds. This is the first year Hostfest will precede the rodeo.

"I can tell you from a State Fair standpoint and a staff standpoint, it's already working out extremely well in that it gives us a much better opportunity to present a cleaner building for the Hostfest, which they appreciate," said Bob Wagoner, State Fair manager.

Officials said an earlier Hostfest also reduces the possibility of an early snowstorm.

"They've sold more advance tickets than ever in the history of Hostfest," Wagoner said.

The Hostfest, now in its 31st year, draws tens of thousands of people each year along with more than 200 artists, chefs and craftsmen.

There will be more than 180 shows performed on six stages this year, ranging from musicians to comedians. Major musical acts include The Beach Boys, Charley Pride, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis and the Oak Ridge Boys.

"We keep the core history, family and entertainment the same, but we like to add to it to make it better," said Chester Reiten, Hostfest president.

About 80 percent of the people who come to the festival have been there before, so organizers try to include new activities each year. This year those new activities include hands-on craft workshops and cognac. The No. 1 selling cognac in Norway, Bache Gabrielsen, will be bringing six of its most popular varieties to the festival.

With hotels booked for 100 miles in any direction, people in Minot and surrounding communities traditionally have opened their homes to Hostfest visitors who might not otherwise have a bed to sleep in. This year, people in Velva will be hosting more than 50 people from Norway.

"It was just such a nice thing to see, a community doing that," said Pamela Alme Davy, executive director of Hostfest.