A longstanding tradition, the Olmsted County Fair returns with everyone’s favorite fair activities July 24-30, 2023 at Graham Park. The first Olmsted County Fair was held for two days in 1860 with a focus on agriculture. Now, it includes an entire week of classic fair foods, rides, animal shows, live entertainment and more. Did you know the Olmsted County Fair reports more than 3,000 visitors every day? Here are some tips to make the most of your experience at this year’s county fair.

Carnival rides and food vendors open on Tuesday, July 25. Get ready for carnival rides and games! Daily and weekly unlimited ride passes are available for purchase.

From cotton candy to corndogs and funnel cakes, there are all kinds of fair foods available. Many local food vendors will also be there, including Berry Blendz, Nautical Bowls and Infuzn Foods, Find a full list of food vendors here.

Fieldstand Events feature a variety of entertainment, including live music, bull riding, motorsports, and a demo derby. Grandstand events will now be held at the temporary "Fieldstand" on the Southwest corner of the fairgrounds. These events require the purchase of a ticket, which are available on the Olmsted County Fair’s website and on Eventbrite. Find the full fieldstand schedule here.

Popular attractions include the Miracle of Birth Center and Animal Barns. Learn more about farm animals straight from the people who raise them.  In addition to witnessing the miracle of the birth of farm animals, there are hundreds of barn shows throughout the week, featuring all kinds of farm animals.

Don't miss Family Night on Thursday. While the fair is family-friendly all week long, there will be additional family activities on Thursday, July 27 from 2:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. for family night. Bounce houses, games, foam cannons and a movie premiere are all part of this special day.

Looking for more free fun? Find more area fairs, festivals and upcoming events in Rochester here.