Country Fairs in Minnesota
Minnesota's country fair tradition is anchored by the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights, one of the largest and most beloved state fairs in the nation. Known locally as the Great Minnesota Get-Together, it draws nearly two million visitors over twelve days each August and September. The state fair is the capstone of a summer-long county fair season that stretches across Minnesota's 87 counties, from the corn and soybean fields of the southern prairie to the dairy farms of the central lakes region.
Minnesota's Scandinavian, German, and Eastern European immigrant heritage infuses county fairs with distinct cultural traditions in food, craft, and community celebration. The state's strong cooperative and agricultural extension traditions ensure that 4-H and FFA programs remain central to fair culture, with youth livestock shows and home arts competitions drawing enthusiastic participation in every corner of the state.
Top Country Fair Events in Minnesota
- Minnesota State Fair — Falcon Heights (St. Paul); the Great Minnesota Get-Together, held late August through Labor Day with livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, fine arts, craft demonstrations, food on a stick, and entertainment across the sprawling fairgrounds.
- Olmsted County Fair — Rochester; one of Minnesota's largest county fairs with livestock shows, 4-H exhibits, grandstand entertainment, and a midway at the Olmsted County Fairgrounds.
- Stearns County Fair — Sauk Centre; a central Minnesota tradition featuring dairy and livestock competitions, craft exhibits, and community entertainment in the heart of the state's dairy country.
- Traverse des Sioux Treaty Site History Center Fair — St. Peter; a heritage fair combining agricultural history with pioneer craft demonstrations and living history in the Minnesota River Valley.
- Lake County Fair — Two Harbors; a North Shore community fair with agricultural exhibits, craft vendors, and family entertainment along Lake Superior.
What to Expect
Minnesota county fairs feature livestock competitions in dairy and beef cattle, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, and rabbits. Dairy cattle shows are particularly prominent given Minnesota's standing as a top dairy state. 4-H and FFA youth programs are deeply embedded in the fair tradition, and junior livestock auctions are important community events. Crop and produce exhibits highlight corn, soybeans, sugar beets, wild rice, and garden vegetables, while home arts competitions cover quilting, canning, baking, and fiber arts.
The Minnesota State Fair's Creative Activities building is one of the finest state fair craft and home arts exhibitions in the country, with thousands of entries in fine arts, photography, textiles, woodworking, and baking. Heritage craft demonstrations at the state fair and larger county fairs include blacksmithing, rosemaling (traditional Scandinavian decorative painting), quilting, and spinning. Fair food is a celebrated tradition in Minnesota — the state fair's food vendors are nationally famous. County fairs also feature tractor pulls, demolition derbies, and live music. Fair season runs from June through early September.
Popular Cities for Country Fairs
- Minneapolis — Adjacent to the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights and hub for Twin Cities agricultural events
- Duluth — North Shore gateway with St. Louis County Fair and harvest festivals along Lake Superior
- Rochester — Home of the Olmsted County Fair and southeastern Minnesota agricultural events
- St. Paul — Capital city and home base for the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in neighboring Falcon Heights
See all craft events in Minnesota.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Minnesota State Fair?
The Minnesota State Fair runs for twelve days ending on Labor Day, typically from late August through early September. It is held at the State Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights, between Minneapolis and St. Paul. Known as the Great Minnesota Get-Together, it draws nearly two million visitors and features livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, fine arts, concerts, and celebrated fair food.
What crafts are featured at Minnesota fairs?
Minnesota fairs showcase a range of crafts reflecting the state's cultural heritage. Quilting, rosemaling, woodworking, pottery, and fiber arts are common. The Minnesota State Fair's Creative Activities building hosts one of the largest state fair craft competitions in the country. County fairs feature home arts competitions in baking, canning, needlework, and photography, along with heritage craft demonstrations.
How many county fairs does Minnesota have?
Minnesota has 87 counties, and the vast majority host annual county fairs during the summer months. Fair dates are spread from June through early September to avoid overlap, allowing fairgoers to visit multiple counties throughout the season. The Minnesota Federation of County Fairs coordinates scheduling and supports county fair organizations across the state.