Fair Board moves Open Class entry day to Monday
In its 166th year this summer, the Dodge County Free Fair is the state’s oldest running county fair. Organizers say they’ll bring back fan favorites this July as well as a few new attractions.
The 2023 fair is scheduled for July 12-16 at the fairgrounds in Kasson.
The biggest change to the fair this year is that the open class entry day for building exhibits has been moved from Tuesday, July 11, to Monday, July 10, “so we’re ready to open the fair on Wednesday,” said Fair Board Vice President Kelly Caspers. Registration begins at 12 p.m. and continues till 8 p.m.
The grandstand will feature bull riding on July 12, open stock car races on July 13, trailer races on July 14, demolition derby on July 15 and, new this year, auto cross racing on July 16. Grandstand events are $15 for ages 13 and up, $10 for those 6 to 12 years old, and free for those 5 years old and under. Pit passes are $30.
Come early for the demo derby on July 15 as that event has sold out the last two years, said Caspers.
As for special events at the fair this year, July 12 will be military veteran’s day, July 13 is kids’ family day, July 14 is senior citizens day, July 15 is cities of Dodge County day and July 16 is townships of Dodge County day. Everyone in the county will be represented, Caspers said.
On kids’ family day, there will be a juggler, inflatables, amateur talent contest, and a giant coloring mural. Senior citizens day on Friday will include a “bubble guy, whose name is The Bubbler,” she said. As well as the Free Senior Citizens lunch at noon with live music.
Other popular draws this year will be the watermelon eating contest, as well as the hot dish and pie baking competitions. The whipped cream eating contest is being brought back from last year as “kids enjoyed that so much we decided to bring it back,” Caspers said.
On opening day there will be a Prince and Princess of Dodge County contest for 3 to 9 year olds. They are being asked to come dressed as the farmer and his wife from the “American Gothic,” a famous painting of a farmer and his wife with a pitchfork.
Building exhibits will be open daily at 10:30 a.m. and food vendors start at 11 a.m. Popular food vendors such as the Greek gyros, shish kabobs, dairy truck, milkshakes, and cheese curds will be for sale, along with dozens of other types of tasty treats.
For the fair’s carnival, advance tickets are $65 for a mega pass, $25 for special armband days, and $20 for six rides. Tickets can be purchased at local businesses starting in June or the fair office on July 5.
The fair will also feature music, contests, a magician and a juggler, all in the Township Square. As for live music, there will be local as well as Twin Cities bands. The Danglers will play on Wednesday, Colt 45 on Thursday, Ragtown on Friday and Roadhouse 6 on Sunday.
For more information about the fair, visit dodgecountyfreefair.com.