Olmsted County Fair

As the excitement and fun of Rochesterfest winds down and summer continues in Rochester MN, residents and visitors again are on the lookout for ways to enjoy the beautiful Minnesota summer. Towards the end of July, enjoyment comes to them, however, when the Olmsted County Fair arrives in town.

The Rochester Fair Grounds have been the site for the Olmsted County Fair for a number of years, and the residents have come to love it. The lights from the Ferris wheel and other rides can be see in the distance from many parts of the city. The presence of the rides and lights add a bit of excitement as people drive by and catch a glimpse of the activities.

Traditionally, the fair runs the last week of July/first week of August, and lasts for a week. There are a number of events that fairgoers have come to expect each year from the county celebration, but also enough new attractions to add a bit of variety. A new feature this year of the fair that many fairgoers will approve of is a smoking ban. The Fair goes smoke-free this year, following in the footsteps of Minnesota’s statewide smoking ban.

Some of the attractions that can be seen at the Olmsted Fair include:

- Carnival rides: Both kids and adults can find enjoyable and fun in the carnival section of the fair. A number of rides and games await people of all ages. There are many chances to win prizes, and many rides to quench your thirst for excitement.

- Midway: Along the midway, one can find a wide variety of attractions. Besides the endless line of food vendors, there are a number of buildings housing animals, arts and crafts, food, and collectibles. Covering everything can take some time, but it is worth it to see the creativity and hard work people put into their hobbies.

- Animals: A favorite of many young fairgoers is the animal section of the fair. Cows, horses, sheep, goats, rabbits, and many other animals are brought to the fair for display and judging. Shows and judging occurs throughout the week.

- Daily Entertainment: Throughout the daytime hours of each one, one can find a wide variety of entertainment. Some examples include live bands, magic shows, vaudeville acts, and comedy shows.

- Grandstand: Each night of the week at the fair there is a different event at the main grandstand. In 2008, the shows included an antique tractor pull, a modern tractor pull, a rodeo, bull riding, two demolition derby, and professional wrestling. The events are well attended, and offer a bit of excitement to the end of a nice summer day.

Residents and visitors alike have come to love the excitement and enjoyment that the Olmsted County Fair brings to Rochester. Without a doubt, the Fair will continue to be a major summer attraction. It could be the food or the farm animals. It could be the chance for people to show their hobbies and talents to the community. It could be any number of things, but in the end, the buzz of excitement is most likely caused by the chance for people of all ages to be a kid again.

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