The 111th annual Polk County Fair, one of Minnesota's largest county fairs, will open Wednesday and run through Sunday at Fertile, Minn.
Fair Manager Mike Moore said attendance at the fair ranges from 42,000 to 45,000, depending on the weather. The Polk County Fair prides itself with being family friendly with lots of children's rides, he said, and a big carnival, 4-H and open class exhibits, food stands and commercial exhibits.
The fair has free gate admission and free stage entertainment but tickets are sold for carnival rides and a few other events, such as the Demo Derby and Baja Racing. Baja Racing will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday and Saturday and the Super Demo Derby will be at 6 p.m. Sunday, all in the grandstands. Tickets will be $10 for adults and $5 for children.
A one-day unlimited ride pass for the carnival is $20 in advance and $25 at the fair. Mega-ride passes, offering unlimited rides for all five days, are $40 and available in advance only. The carnival midway will open at 5 p.m. Wednesday, 4 p.m. Thursday, 1 p.m. Friday, and at noon Saturday and Sunday.
The Hanson Memorial Free Stage will feature karaoke at 9 p.m. Wednesday and a Battle of the Bands at 9 p.m. Thursday. On Friday, Pembina Trail, a guitar and vocal duo, will perform at 1:30 p.m., with magician Kelvin Saline at 4 and 5 p.m., singer and guitarist Angela Holkesvig at 6 and 7 p.m. and an accordion band at 8 and 10 p.m.
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On Saturday, the free stage will present the 4-H Fashion Review at 12:15 p.m., Trish and the Toonies singing and puppets at 2, 3 and 4 p.m., magic and comedy by Norm Barnhart at 5:15 and 6:30 p.m. and championship fiddlers the Bistodeau Family Band at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.
On Sunday, the free stage will have folk music by Bill Isles at noon and 3:30 p.m., a Century Farms presentation at 3:30 p.m., dance with Terrance Smith at 4:30 and 5:45 p.m. and hypnotist Sami Dare at 7 and 9 p.m.
More about the fair schedule:
- Wednesday: 6 p.m., 4-H pet show and cat show; 7 p.m., Polk County chocolate contest; 8 p.m. to midnight, Bump & A Beer featuring 4-Wheel Drive.
- Thursday: 9 a.m., 4-H horse show; 4 p.m., Kids bike drawing; 4:45 p.m., 4-H kiddie calf/lamb show.
- Friday: 8:30 a.m., 4-H sheep show followed by swine, goat, beef, dairy goat and dairy show; 9:30 a.m., Senior Citizens Day; 4 p.m., Kids bike drawing; 4:15 p.m., Kids pedal pull.
- Saturday: 8 a.m., Barbecue rib registration; 9 a.m., 5K Run/Walk; 9 a.m., 4-H horse fun show; 2 p.m., Bingo; 4 p. m., Kids bike drawing; 5 to 6 p.m., Barbecue rib judging and samples; 4-H awards, 6 p.m.
- Sunday: 10 a.m., Church service; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 4-H pancake breakfast; 2 p.m., parade; 4 p.m., Kids bike drawing; 10:30 p.m., Fireworks.
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For more on the fair or any of the events listed here, go to www.polkcountyfairfertilemn.com/ .
