County fairs

County fairs resume in 2021 County fairs resume in 2021 Old-fashioned fun never seemed so sweet

In 2020 there were no ferris wheels, 4-H exhibits, demolition derbies, barns full of animals primped for competition and cotton candy and pronto pups.

All those beloved traditions were put on hold when the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the cancelation of county fairs all across the state.

All area counties are planning to hold their fairs this year, although there are still some unknowns regarding possible restrictions on capacity on the grounds and in buildings. Some of those restrictions could affect 4-H shows.

Many counties were still in the process of securing contracts for carnivals and entertainment at presstime.

The events listed here are only a partial listing, and events are subject to change. Check the fair websites, or their social media pages, for additional information and updates.

YELLOW MEDICINE COUNTY FAIR

July 22-25 Fairgrounds in Canby Free admission and free parking. Grandstand shows include Demo Derby on Thursday, Tractor Pull on Friday and Baja races on Saturday. Shows start at 7 p.m. Other events Thursday include the Wendinger Polka Band at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. On Friday the Bramble Park Zoo performs at 5 p.m. and the Hicktown Mafia band plays after the tractor pull. On Saturday the ag olympics will be at 1 p.m., DonB magic and juggling at 2:30 and 4:30 and the Red Letter Band at 6 p.m. with another performance after the races. On Sunday a community church service will be held at 10:30 a.m. a kids pedal pull at 1 p.m. Mandana’s balloon creations noon till 6 p.m., Bob and the Beachcomber’s kids show at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Website: www.ymcfair.org

CHIPPEWA COUNTY

July 28 – Aug, 1 Fairgrounds in Montevideo Gate admission will be charged but all events inside the gates, including grand stand events, will be free. The grandstand acts include a performance by the Fabulous Armadillos, bull riding, car races, Johnny Holm and Sherwin Linton. Website: www. hippewacofair.com

POPE COUNTY FAIR

Aug. 4-7 Fairgrounds in Glenwood There is no gate admission and parking is free. The grandstand shows include a ranch rodeo at 7 p.m. on Thursday, bucking bulls at 7 p.m. on Friday and tractor pull at 3 p.m. on Saturday. A demolition derby will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, along with food vendors, even though the fair activities will be over. Website: www. popecountyfair.org

MEEKER COUNTY FAIR

August 5-8 Fairgrounds in Litchfield Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for ages 11-17, ages 10 and under and over 70 will be admitted free. Entry is free on Sunday. Website: www.meekerfair.com

KANDIYOHI COUNTY FAIR

Aug. 11-14 Fairgrounds in Willmar Gates open at 11 a.m. Wednesday, and at 8 a.m. daily thereafter. Gate admission is $7 for adults, $3 for seniors (on Thursday only), $2 for students K-12; children pre-kindergarten will be admitted free. Season passes are $20 gate pass, $15 parking pass. Daily parking is $5 per car/truck. A season ticket allows you to come and go as many times as you want during the 4-day fair. Grandstand four-day wrist bands are also available $25 per adult, $15 ages 5-12. Featured events include bull riding on Wednesday, KRA stock car races Thursday, truck and antique tractor pull Friday and a demolition derby Saturday. Free entertainment includes the Los Moralitos Circus, hypnotist Freddie Justice and a presentation about the 150th anniversary of Kandiyohi County. Free music will be presented every day on the fairgrounds. Wednesday is Veterans Day, Thursday is Senior Day and Saturday is Kids’ Day. Website: www.kandifair.com

RENVILLE COUNTY FAIR

Aug. 12-14 Fairgrounds in Bird Island Events on Thursday include the Red Dirt Road Band, Great Frontier Rodeo, comedy stage hypnosis and fireworks. Friday’s lineup includes a demolition derby, kids tractor pull, cow pie bingo and a performance at 8 p.m. by the Fabulous Armadillos. Entertainment Saturday includes a bean bag tournament, Boch Fest Boys, kids tractor pull, Circus Science Spectacular and music by the Full Throttle Band. A carnival and inflatables, antique tractor show, Hasse Family Petting Zoo, tech room, Ms Jazee, mobile dairy classroom, vendor booths and 4-H exhibits will take place all three days. Website: www. renvillecountyfair.org

SWIFT COUNTY FAIR

Aug. 18-22 Fairgrounds in Appleton Grandstand events include a ranch rodeo, antique tractor pull and a yet-unnamed national act. There will be free, live music every evening on the fairgrounds at the newly expanded Chuck Brown building. The expansion, and construction of a new fair office, is being completed in memory of Scott “Montana” Smith, a Swift County Fairboard member who was killed in an accident in 2020. Magician DonB! will be strolling the grounds on stilts, author, photographer and Minnesota historian Doug Ohman will be speaking and Miss Minnesota Rodeo Queen will be on the grounds on Thursday. Laser tag, food vendors and 4-H exhibits are all scheduled for the event. For the first time, the carnival this year will feature a ferris wheel. Website: www. swiftcountyfair.org

LAC QUI PARLE COUNTY FAIR

Sept. 9-12 Fairgrounds Madison Gates open at 9 a.m. daily, admission is $5 for ages 12 and over and includes parking; admission is free for ages 11 and under and for active military personnel with a military ID. On Thursday a performance by the White Sidewalls will be the featured entertainment. Events Friday include magician DonB, Alfy’s World of Robotic Puppets and White Keys Band. Saturday there will be a pedal pull, veggies races, diaper derby, Alfy’s World of Robotic Puppets, Teddy Bear Band, Street Talk, Eclipse, demo derby and the Minnesota High School Rodeo. Sunday’s events include DonB, Sherwin Linton, Minnesota High school Rodeo and Wissota Car Races The carnival will be Gopher State Expositions. Website: www. lqpfair.com