County Fair Season is Making its Way Around the Corner!
In Minnesota, this is the time of year when we gather with our friends and family to prepare for a wonderful time outdoors at local county fairgrounds. Whether you wish to indulge in deep-fried treats on a stick, listen to great music, enjoy thrilling rides, or tour art exhibits; there is something fun for visitors of all ages to experience. The Roseau fair is a long-standing tradition in Roseau County, which dates all the way back to 1906.
What makes the Roseau Fair such a big deal? Each year, the fair promises fun for the entire family. From Grandstand events to a ton of carnival rides – there is something for everyone! Fair-goers come for the midway rides, the parade, the rodeo, the music, the demo derby and so much more. No matter your age, the fairgrounds have something to make you feel young at heart.
You cannot beat classic fair food; just saying the word fair food makes everyone’s mouth water. Pull up a seat at one of the stands to try the grill-fried burgers that support local sports like youth hockey. The Fickle Pickle is a popular stand for mouth-watering pie, and you cannot go to the fair without eating a hand-dipped corndog or a delicious Queen’s apple drizzled in caramel with a hearty serving of cool whip. Cheese curds, food trucks, and kettle corn make the midway a delicious delight of mealtime options.
Whether you want a ride that will be a thrill for everyone or a calm ride for children, Roseau County Fair has it all. There are several rides for the thrill-seeking crowd, but by far the most popular is the Rock-It. A recent addition to the fairgrounds, this ride plays rock hits as you go flying around and dangle upside down. If you don’t like being flipped upside down, there are still several rides that could suit you! Another newer ride at the fair brings a whole new meaning to the words flying through the air. This ride channels your inner Superman as you fly in circles while lying on your stomach. Letting that fair food sit before a big adventure, there are more mellow options for you! Go try out the bumper cars or the ferris wheel for a skyline view of Roseau. There is also an abundance of children’s rides to keep little ones busy all day. If all these rides aren’t for you, there are always carnival games and bingo stands that have wonderful prizes to win! You cannot come to the Roseau Fair without playing bingo with corn as bingo markers. It’s a simple joy that reflects Roseau’s Farming tradition.
The barns are always a family favorite for an up-close peek at life on the farm. Roseau County Fair has several barns to wander and meet the different breeds of livestock. There are whole barns for horses, poultry, cattle, and pigs; not to mention the occasional sheep or goat. The owners are often available to care for the stock and like to answer questions. If livestock is not quite your forte, there is a children’s barn that despite its name, is fun for all ages. This barn has several pens that often have friendly animals like rabbits, donkeys, calves, and a pen that has had everything from ducks to deer over the years. There are also many fish tanks that include local aquatic species, allowing for a much closer look than in the wild. Take a stroll and make a new friend with a fur or feathered friend.
The Roseau County Fair allows community members to get involved and showcase their greatest skills and talents. Come join others in Open Class competitions such as photography, artwork, canned goods, baked goods and sewing. You might be the next Roseau County Fair Grand Champion and be taking your skills to the big show at the Minnesota State Fair!
2023 EVENTS SCHEDULE
SUNDAY, JULY 16th
- 7pm: Church Night at the Fair
MONDAY, JULY 17th
- 9am to 6pm: Open Class Entry Day
- 6pm to 9pm: Official Livestock Check-in
- 7pm: Open Class Photography Judging
TUESDAY, JULY 18th
- 7am to Noon: Official Livestock Check-in
- 9am: Open Class Judging for: Culinary, Quilting, Pictorial and Decorative Arts
- 9:30am: Open Class Household Arts Judging
- 10:30am: Open Class Judging for: Crop, Vegetables and Fruit, Flowers and Potted Decorative Plants, Open Horse Halter and Riding Classes
- 1pm: Open Class Poultry Judging
- 3pm: Open Class Rabbit Judging
- 6pm: Midway Opens
- 6pm: Knockerball Opens (south of Midway)
- 5:30pm: Women of Today Parade, Main Street-Roseau
- 7pm: Northern Pullers Tractor Pull | FREE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 19th
- 10:30am: Open Horse Driving Class Judging
- 1,3,5 pm: Great Lakes Timber Show (North of Soybean Area)
- 2,4,6 p.m. Crazy Contests From Freddie Prez (North of Soybean Area)
- 2pm: Midway opens
- 2pm: Knockerball Opens (south of Midway)
- 2:00 pm: Mounted Shooting – Horse Arena
- 3:00pm: Open Class Beef Judging
- 3:30 pm: Open Class Sheep and Market Goat Judging
- 4-6pm: Kids Power Wheels Preliminary Round (near Soybean Pit)
- >No pre-registration required and NO need to bring a car. Please bring HELMET if possible. If your child would like to participate simply attend one of the preliminary Derby Days!
- 7pm: Grandstand – Wojo’s Rodeo – $15
THURSDAY, JULY 20th
- 1,3,5 pm: Great Lakes Timber Show (North of Soybean Area)
- 1:30pm: Open Class Dairy and Dairy Goat Judging
- 2,4,6 p.m. Crazy Contests From Freddie Prez (North of Soybean Area)
- 2pm: Midway Opens
- 2pm: Knockerball opens (south of Midway)
- 2-4pm: Kids Power Wheels Preliminary Round (near Soybean Pit)
- >No pre-registration required and NO need to bring a car. Please bring HELMET if possible. If your child would like to participate simply attend one of the preliminary Derby Days!
- 7pm: Bush Car Races | $10/ticket
FRIDAY, JULY 21st
- 1pm: Kids Tractor Pull (soybean pit area)
- 1,3,5 pm: Great Lakes Timber Show (North of Soybean Area)
- 2,4,6 p.m. Crazy Contests From Freddie Prez (North of Soybean Area)
- 2pm: Midway Opens
- 2:00 pm: Paintball opens (south of Midway)
- 6pm: Kids Power Races – FINAL (included with Demo ticket)
- 7pm: Demolition Derby | $10/ticket
- 8-10pm: Open Class Exhibits to be picked up at the Magnusson Building
- 10:15pm: Fireworks, sponsored by POLARIS – Roseau
With a variety of free entertainment, each day and many things to see from the 4-H exhibits to the Children’s Barn, and fun activities to participate in; a day spent at the Roseau fair will make for great memories! Stop in, spend an hour or spend the day, or enhance your stay by camping in our campground “under the midway.” Enjoy the Midway, have some great food and a cool beverage, play some games, visit with your neighbors and friends, or stroll through the buildings for additional exhibits and entertainment. If you stay through the whole week, make sure to stay for the fireworks show sponsored by Polaris Industries on Friday night. They always make sure to end fair with a bang!
The Roseau County Fair runs Sunday through Friday the third week of July each summer. Check the Roseau County Fair Website for more details.