What the Sherburne County Fair Is
The Sherburne County Fair is a four-day fair at the Sherburne County Fairgrounds in Elk River. It combines 4-H exhibits and animal barns with a midway carnival, a lumberjack show, magic and stunt shows, a Saturday parade and a grandstand with bull riding, Redneck Races and a demolition derby. The most recent edition ran Thursday, July 16 through Sunday, July 19, 2026.
Where and When
The fairgrounds are at 18335 Joplin Street NW, Elk River, MN 55330. Gate admission is $5 for ages 6 and up; carnival rides and wristbands are priced separately.
| Day | Fair hours |
|---|---|
| Thursday, July 16 | 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Friday, July 17 | 8 a.m. to midnight |
| Saturday, July 18 | 8 a.m. to midnight |
| Sunday, July 19 | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
Animal Shows
- Thursday: horse, goat, sheep and llama shows, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Friday: horse, beef and dairy, and miniature horse shows, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Saturday: poultry and horse shows, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The 4-H exhibits and animal barns open at 8 a.m. Thursday to Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday. The Little Farm hands-on area is open Thursday.
What Else Is On
- Paul Bunyan Lumberjack shows several times each day
- Magic Joe shows and an Aerial Stunt Show
- Medallion Hunt starting at 8 a.m. Thursday to Saturday
- Book Bingo Thursday, 1 to 4 p.m.
- Parade Saturday at 10 a.m.
- Rocket launch Sunday at 10 a.m.
- Midway Carnival opening at noon Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday and noon Sunday
Grandstand
Friday, July 17: bull riding and live music, gates at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 19: Redneck Races, gates at 11 a.m., and the demolition derby with live music, gates at 3 p.m.
How the 4-H Side Works
The county 4-H program runs the week in stages: a pre-fair cleanup night at the fairgrounds (each club is asked to supply at least three youth age 16 and over and three adults), a project judging day for static and general exhibits, animal load-in the day the fair opens, and a post-fair cleanup at noon the Monday after, including moving Exhibit Building displays back into storage. County 4-H dog shows follow the fair, with agility on one weekend day and obedience, rally and showmanship on the next.
Who Can Enter and Fees
Exhibitors register by the county deadline and follow the rules in the premium book; those who miss the deadline are subject to the consequences it sets out. Youth who have not paid Federation dues owe $15 per youth, with a family cap of $45, payable at the Extension office in the Government Center or at the 4-H office building on the fairgrounds during the fair. Every 4-H youth is expected to work one full shift in the Sherburne County 4-H Food Stand, and judging assistants (adults or responsible youth leaders in grade 6 and up) are fed a meal for helping at general judging.
Questions
Is it worth bringing a family with no animals?
Yes. Entry is $5 for ages 6 and up and most of the shows, the Little Farm and the lumberjack shows are part of the day.
When does the grandstand open?
Friday at 6 p.m. for bull riding; Sunday at 11 a.m. for the Redneck Races and at 3 p.m. for the derby.
Who do I call?
Sherburne County Extension: 763-765-3075.
When is the next fair?
The next dates have not been announced here; the most recent edition was July 16 to 19, 2026.
Official Links
Minnesota County Fairs and the State Fair: The Essentials
Minnesota county fairs ran from Hennepin's June 11 to 13 fair to Lac qui Parle's September 10 to 13 fair in 2026, per a county fair list. Dates may change.
State Fair
The 2026 Minnesota State Fair ran August 27 to September 7, and the 2027 fair is August 26 to September 6, per the fair's recap.
Ownership and entries
Animals must be identified in 4-H Online by May 15, and market animals cannot be leased, per Extension's animal ID page. State Fair 4-H registration goes through users.mnstatefair.org.
Livestock
The State Fair 4-H livestock departments include beef and dairy cattle, goats, poultry, rabbits, sheep and swine, per the 4-H page.
Auction
The Purple Ribbon Auction raised more than $1.35 million for 115 4-H members in 2026.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office for your fair book and deadlines.
Weights, residency and sale rules differ by fair.
Read the full guide: Minnesota County Fairs and the State Fair
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Olmsted County 4-H Officer Training
Training for 2026-2027 Olmsted County 4-H club officers, 6-8 p.m., with a volunteer training held the same evening. Held each year; the most recent date was November 12, 2026.
Rochester, MN Official event details - Olmsted County Pesticide Safety Recertification
Private pesticide applicator A/E recertification day, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for Olmsted County farmers who must recertify every three years. Held each year; the most recent date was November 13, 2026.
Rochester, MN Official event details - Pope County 4-H Dairy Clinic
Dairy skills clinic for Pope County 4-H members at the University of Minnesota Morris West Central Research and Outreach Center. Held each year; the most recent date was November 15, 2026.
Morris, MN Official event details - Climate Resilience for Farmers - Northwest
Two-day University of Minnesota Extension workshop for northwest Minnesota farmers on climate resilience, November 18 (9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.) and November 19, 2026.
Crookston, MN Official event details - Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting
County voting delegates debate and set Minnesota Farm Bureau policy for the coming year at the Marriott Southwest in Minnetonka, with the meeting opening Thursday afternoon and closing Saturday at noon.
Minnetonka, MN | Organizer: Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.