Satisfaction Guaranteed In 2023

The Steele County Free Fair is ready to kick off another year of great entertainment August 15th -August 20th. The Steele County Free Fair, one of Minnesota’s Biggest County Fairs, has over 5,000 free exhibits including 200 animals, the FFA Children’s Barnyard, the Great Outdoors Center, and the Thorni Ridge Exotics animals, sponsored by Community Bank Owatonna and R & K Electric, to delight fairgoers. Free entertainment will be found on five outdoor stages and in the beer garden. In addition, 300 indoor commercial exhibits, over 200 outdoor vendors - including 100 food stands, and up to 40 thrilling rides on the Goldstar Amusements midway will be available daily.

Halls Of Fame And Century Farm Recognition

The Equine Hall of Fame program, sponsored by Farmer’s Feed and Pet Supply, will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, in the cattle show arena. Honored and inducted into the Equine Hall of Fame this year will be Dan and Leona Suchanek and Teddy the Sorrel Pony. The Livestock Hall of Fame and Century Farm recognition will follow in the show arena at 2:30 p.m. sponsored by Central Farm Service. Inducted into the Livestock Hall of Fame this year will be Mary Jo Schoenfeld and Richard (Rick) Klemmenson and will receive the Livestock Hall of Fame Service Award. The Steele County Free Fair, along with the Minnesota State Fair, are also pleased to recognize the 2023 Century Farm recipient: Curt Johnson (Johnson Family Farms) of Ellendale Minnesota.

DISCOVER STEELE COUNTY’S PAST

Explore the fair in its early days in the Muckle Fair Museum and then wander over to the Village of Yesteryear and relive Steele County’s history in the village buildings. While in the village, take in the Gandy Company “Old Iron Show”, featuring a large display of antique tractors and small engines, plus take a seat at the Village of Yesteryear outdoor stage which has entertainment daily at 12:00, 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. Wednesday – Saturday. Sunday at 9:30 a.m. is an outdoor traditional church service followed by musical entertainment at 12:30 and 3:00 p.m.

Old Time Music

Fairgoers that enjoy listening to some great polka music will want to be in Fair Square Park on Thursday, August 17. The Marv Nissel Band will take the stage at 12:30 p.m. followed by The Minnesota Over 60 Band at 2:30 p.m. The Dan Stursa Band will be on stage playing some great old-time music again on Friday, August 18 at 12:00 p.m. on the United Prairie stage.

The Dan Stursa Band will return to entertain fairgoers on Sunday, August 20, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. in Ye Old Beer Garden. The Dan Stursa Band is sponsored by Ritchie Brothers.

The Village Stage in the Village of Yesteryear will also feature toe-tapping old-time tunes throughout the week.

Outdoor Stages

The United Prairie Bank Stage in Fair Square Park, the Elmer Reseland Stage at KRFO Town Square and the Village Stage in the Village of Yesteryear will feature free entertainment each afternoon and evening throughout the fair. The Steele County Free Fair is proud to honor our veterans at the flag raising ceremony in Fair Square Park at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 15, as we officially kick off the Steele County Free Fair. The Flag raising ceremony will feature special guest, Jake Larson. Jake is the last surviving member of his platoon that stormed Omaha Beach during World War II.

The United Prairie Bank Stage has some great entertainment throughout the week beginning Tuesday with the Owatonna Community Band sponsored by Ecumen Brooks & Countryside followed by Branded sponsored by Central Park Coffee and Northland Farm Systems. Wednesday evening will feature Ali Gray’s Country Jamboree followed by Owatonna’s own Tim Sigler sponsored by Northland Farm Systems. Thursday evening the ever-popular Whitesidewalls will entertain with music from the 50’s and 60’s sponsored by Steve James Excavating, Mankes and Sweet Towing. Friday evening Transit Authority returns to the United Prairie Stage to entertain us with the sounds of the music group Chicago. Saturday evening the Steele County Free Fair is excited to bring to you Owatonna’s own the Royal Emperors sponsored by Torey’s, Representative John Petersburg and Owatonna Floor Covering. Sunday afternoon entertainment will begin with the Eclipse Band sponsored by Costco followed by Generation Gap sponsored by Bioplastics. The United Way presentation will be on stage at 6:30 followed by the Owatonna High School Football/Cheerleader Rally sponsored by Lifestyle of Owatonna. Further showtimes and entertainment schedules are available at SCFF.org or grab a fair brochure from an information booth on the fairgrounds.

The Elmer Reseland Stage in KRFO Town Square will provide entertainment for children and adults alike. The Moogician, sponsored by Hope Creamery, will be returning with three shows daily with magic, juggling and comedy. New to the stage this year is Electrifying Magic of Jay Mattioli sponsored by the Hometown Credit Union. Sunday, you won’t want to miss Greg the Great Magic sponsored by the Hometown Credit Union. KRFO will be bringing back its own version of the classic game show Deal or No Deal Wednesday through Saturday at 6:00 p.m. The Robotics Team will be on the stage Friday and Saturday at 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. plus Sunday at 1:00 and 4:00 p.m.

KRFO Town Square is also home to The Kid’s Zone where a variety of activities, including a giant coloring mural and playground, can be enjoyed by children while adults watch their children play from the comfort of the picnic tables.

Shows Around The Fairgrounds

US Bank and RE/MAX Venture brings Jurassic Kingdom to the fair for three shows daily Tuesday at 8:00p.m. and Wednesday through Sunday at 2:00, 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. Jurassic Kingdom features life size dinosaur puppets Blue, their new dinosaur; Terry, the talking, comical Pterodactyl; Jack – their

2-month-old Brontosaurus; Sarah – their newborn Triceratops; Lucy – their 5-year-old full-grown Velociraptor; and Sparky a 2-year-old T-Rex.

The Southwest Dairy Farmers Mobile Dairy Classroom, sponsored by Steele County American Dairy Association, Commerce Bank and Compeer Financial, returns to the Steele County Fair. The Mobile Dairy Classroom features a 32-foot classroom featuring a fully operational milking parlor. The classroom presentation includes a live cow, the milking process and the importance of dairy foods in a healthy diet.

The Hot Glass Blowing Academy is new to the Steele County Free Fair this year and is sponsored by Kottke Jewelers. This one-of-a-kind glassblowing demonstration provides energetic and dynamic entertainment with educational value through an art form that is over 3000 years old. Watch as they create a beautiful piece of art that will become part of the history of blown glass.

Alexander Lumber Company brings to the fair the Robinson Carving Company. The Robinson family has been doing sculptures for the past two decades with their chainsaws. They will be doing 3 – 4 shows daily with a new sculpture being created at each show.

The All-Star Stunt Dogs Show, sponsored by Fleet Farm, Bushel Boy, Cargill, Farmer’s Feed and Pet Supply and Thrivent Financial, is a must see show that will entertain people of all ages. From back flips, handstands, big air stunts, to amazing tricks; these dogs are thrilling the nation! Performances begin on Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. and Wednesday through Sunday at 12:00, 3:00 and 6:00 p.m.

Deml Heating and Cooling and Fireplace Connection brings to the fair the High-Flying Pages. The High-Flying Pages are America’s premier flying trapeze aerial troupe. The Pages will have spectators on the edge of their seat as they race motorcycles inside the Globe of Death. Shows on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday through Thursday at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. and Friday through Sunday at 1:00, 4:00 and 7:00 p.m.

The Hot Glass Academy, sponsored by Kottke Jewelers and Pirkl Gas, brings to the fair a one of kind glass blowing demonstration that provides entertainment with educational values through an art form that is over 3000-year-old. Watch as they create beautiful pieces of art that will become part of the history of blown glass.

The Great Outdoors Center

The Great Outdoor Center has gone through major improvements and changes such as windows that provide improved lighting, wild game mounts donated by Dave Olson and Sandy Seykora, plus additional educational wildlife presentations daily.

Tuesday, August 15th Rad Zoo will be presenting from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 19th 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. The National Eagle Center will be presenting in the Great Outdoors Center on Wednesday, August 16th 12 – 8:00 p.m. with shows at 1:00, 3:00, 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. plus Saturday, August 19th shows at 1:00, 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. Thursday, August 17th you will not want to miss Mayo Civic Peregrine Falcon presentation from 12:00 – 8:00 p.m. with shows at 1:00, 3:00, 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. Friday August 18th the U of MN Raptor Center 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. will have presentations at 1:00, 3:00, 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. Friday evening enjoy Snakes with Barry from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Saturday, August 19th the National Eagle Center of Waba- sha will be back from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. to conduct shows at 1:00, 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. Rad Zoo returns from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Sunday the U of Minnesota Raptor Center returns 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. with presentations at 1:00, 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. Rad Zoo returns 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Happy Tails Pet Store will line the walls of the Great Outdoors Center with an impressive display of reptiles, such as snakes, geckos, fish, and many other species.

Ride Specials

Daily ride specials will again be featured on GoldStar Amusements Midway. Tuesday is Power 96 Radio Night with all rides $2.00 each from 5:00 p.m.– 11:00 p.m.

Wednesday’s Horizon Eyecare Professionals Kid’s Day features a $25.00 ride pass for unlimited midway rides from noon to 5:00 p.m. Thursday is Culver’s Moonlight Madness featuring unlimited midway rides from 5:00-11:00 p.m. for $28.00, or $25.00 with a Culver’s coupon available at Culver’s in Owatonna. Senior Day Ride special (62 and older) Carousel & Ferris Wheel rides for one coupon noon – 5:00 p.m. Friday is North Risk Partners/ TPS Insurance Family Fun Day on the midway featuring unlimited rides from noon – 5:00 p.m. for $25.00. Saturday is Profinium Inc. Ride Day. A $30.00 wrist band entitles the wearer to unlimited rides from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. on the midway plus a chance to win one of eight bicycles being given away by GoldStar Amusements Midway. The fair winds up on Sunday with Hy-Vee Family Day.

A $30.00 wrist band entitles the rider to unlimited midway rides from noon to 9:00 p.m.

The GoldStar Amusement Mega-Ride ticket is $55.00 and is on sale from 8:00 a.m. July 15, 2023, to 5:00 p.m. August 15, 2023, the opening day of the fair at Hy-Vee in Owatonna only. The Mega-Ride ticket is redeemed for a ride wristband/lanyard which entitles the holder to unlimited midway rides all week. The Mega-Ride ticket can be redeemed at the midway entrance starting at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, and be redeemed at a midway ticket office during midway hours throughout the fair.

For The Senior Fairgoers

All seniors, ages 62 and over, coming to the fair prior to noon on Thursday can park for free in the general parking lot on the ball diamonds. Shuttle service will be available from the parking lot to the west side of the fairgrounds. The Steele County Senior Citizen Volunteers of the Year, Kathy Schuster, and Jerry Ganfield will be recognized at 11:30 a.m. on the United Prairie Bank Stage in Fair Square Park. There will also be senior citizen discount specials at many of the vendors from noon to 5:00 p.m. Sponsors for senior day are Allina Health-Owatonna Hospital, Amy Swain Hearing Centers, Benedictine Health Systems, Better Life, Birchwood Cottages, Brick Meger Funeral Home, Ecumen/Brooks & CountrySide, Mayo Health System of Owatonna, Michaelson Funeral Home, North Risk Partners/ TPS, The Kernel Restaurant, Timberdale Trace, UCare, Prairie Manor Care Center, Brookdale Senior Living, and West Hills Social Commons.

Ye Old Beer Garden

Great musical entertainment from popular area bands will be featured daily on the Coors Lite Stage in the Beer Garden. The schedule: Tuesday night at 8:30 p.m. is the Johnny Holm Band sponsored by Christian Brothers Cabinets. Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. is IV Play sponsored by Ludwig Financial.

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