A longstanding tradition, the Olmsted County Fair returns with everyone’s favorite fair activities July 22-28, 2024 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 open on Tuesday, July 23 at 5pm. Get ready for carnival rides and games! Daily and weekly unlimited ride passes are available for purchase.

Food vendors will serve food and drinks all week long. 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 La Michoacana Purepecha, Nautical Bowls and Jersey Jo's. Find a full list of food vendors here.

Enjoy a variety of entertainment, including live music, motosports, and a demo derby. While a few events require a purchased ticket, there is plenty of FREE entertainment from local bands throughout the week at the Free Stage. Find the full 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.

Tap into your creativity. Starting Wednesday, July 24, visit the Horticulture/Creativity Building for daily education activities for children on topics like soil, gardening and pollinators.

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