Snap some summer selfies at the North Dakota State Fair (NDSF) in Minot, which offers a new action-packed carnival, one-of-a-kind food and great grandstand entertainment July 19-27.
“The fair brings the whole experience. The aroma of the food and the excitement of a new carnival and the grandstand. Every bit of it is exciting,” says NDSF Manager Renae Korslien.
The heart of the NDSF are the 4-H, FFA and open class exhibits vying for the top prize, Korslien says. Last year, the fair hosted 46,998 competitive exhibits.
“We have to congratulate everyone who puts in all that work to bring a project to the fair,” she says. “Come and look at the projects.”
The NDSF brings new competitions and entertainment to the grounds this year, too. A barn quilt competition and a new draft horse obstacle course will debut.
A poignant display will be the “Remembering Our Fallen” photographic war memorial that honors our country’s military fallen from Sept. 11, 2001, to the present. It will be open July 23-27 in front of the State Fair Center.
“The goal of this memorial is to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” Korslien says.
In a new children’s event, the Magic City Discovery Center is partnering with the University of North Dakota to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 landing on the moon.
“It will be fun for the kids,” Korslien says. “We’re really excited about that.”
On the “Lunar Playground,” kids can build a miniature space rocket, create their own pocket solar system or make a robot arm replica. In the “Full STEAM Ahead” exhibit, kids will learn to program an EV3 robot and work on launching a rocket.
In another new event, the NDSF was selected by the U.S. Postal Service to hold a “First Day of Issue Ceremony,” releasing state and county fair commemorative stamps. This public event marks the release of the stamps in post offices across the country.
“There is only one ceremony held for each stamp release and we are so honored that they chose us,” Korslien says. The ceremony will be on Stage 2 at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 25.
This year’s grandstand entertainment, most of which starts at 8 p.m., includes:
• Friday, July 19 – Rascal Flatts
• Saturday, July 20 – Justin Moore
• Sunday, July 21– Midland
• Monday, July 22 – Enduro Races, 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 23 – Outlaw Enduro Races, 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 24 – Ned LeDoux
• Thursday, July 25 – Rick Springfield presents Best in Show with Eddie Money and Greg Kihn
• Friday, July 26 – Tim McGraw
• Saturday, July 27 – Weezer.
Rodeo events, free stages with continuous entertainment and traditional exhibits are also planned. The state parade starts at 9:15 a.m. and winds through the fairgrounds on Saturday, July 20.
Special days at the fair include:
• July 22, KMOT Pride of Dakota Day. Purchase products made in North Dakota. A hot dog lunch is offered to fairgoers for only $1 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. under the tent, with proceeds going to the North Dakota FFA. July 22 is also the annual food drive, when visitors to the fair are encouraged to donate a nonperishable food item.
• July 23, Family Day Festival.
• July 24, KX/Co-op Day. (See related story.)
• July 25, Senior Day Festival and Water Day.
• July 26, 811 Day, when N.D. One Call will be providing demonstrations.
Admission for ages 7-12 is $5 per day, while adult gate admission is $10. The nine-day gate pass is $25 for adults and $15 for juniors.
Luann Dart is a freelance writer and editor who lives in the Elgin area.
To learn more, visit www.ndstatefair.com(link is external).
Co-ops greet fairgoers July 24
Experience fun and fellowship as North Dakota cooperatives thank members for their patronage by teaming up with KXMC-TV in Minot for the annual KX/Co-op Day at the State Fair July 24.
KX/Co-op Day begins at 7:30 a.m. with a free pancake and sausage breakfast located north of the Commercial II Building on the fairgrounds. Cooperative volunteers will serve pancakes and sausage to fairgoers until 9:30 a.m. Following the breakfast, fairgoers will be able to visit with cooperatives under the KX/Co-op Day tent from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., learning more about the cooperatives’ products and services. From 2 to 3:30 p.m., cooperative volunteers will scoop and serve free ice cream cones to fairgoers under the Festival Tent. Prizes and cash will be given away throughout the day.
