What the Fond du Lac County Fair Is
The Fond du Lac County Fair is a free-admission fair at 530 Fond du Lac Ave. in Fond du Lac that combines a 4-H and FFA junior fair with a carnival, multiple music stages, goat races and the Moo-Ternity Ward, an agriculture education center where calves are born daily during the fair. The 2026 fair ran July 15 to 19, with judging beginning July 9. The 2027 fair is scheduled for July 14 to 18.
Admission
Gate admission is free. Concerts, food and other activities carry a charge. The Tractor and Truck Pull on July 15 opened its gates at 4:30 p.m. and started at 6:00 p.m. in the Holiday Automotive Grandstand, with general admission tickets at $17 for ages 13 and over (children 12 and under free). The fair also holds the All-Breeds Holstein Futurity in the Cow Palace, an event that began in 2021 and has drawn more than 4,000 entries.
4-H Exhibitors: How It Works
- June 17, 11:59 p.m. Online entries close. Each entry gets an exhibit tag.
- June 23 to July 2 Pick up tags at the Fair Office (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Payment for tags is cash or check only.
- Noon, July 3 Last day to make changes to entries. The office closes at noon.
- July 7 Small Animal Project Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Small Animal Barn.
- July 9 and July 14 Pre-fair judging, 1 to 7 p.m. in the Expo Building. Call the Fair Office to schedule a time. Cloverbud and Exploring judging is July 14 in the Expo Building, and foods, crops and vegetables are judged July 14 in the Rec Building.
- July 12 or 14 Mandatory Market Livestock Pre-Fair Meeting, 3 p.m. in the Cow Palace. Barn display setup is July 12 and 13.
- July 15 to 19 The fair.
- Sunday, July 19 Claim projects by 8:00 p.m. or the Fair Board may dispose of them. Premium checks are handed out at pickup, no earlier than 6:00 p.m.
How Judging Works
Each exhibitor meets one-on-one with a judge for a short conversation. The judge gives feedback, a placing and a ribbon color. Parents may take photos but are not part of the judging. Blue ribbon winners may qualify for added awards such as grand champion, reserve champion, merit or State Fair. Exhibitors return Tuesday to check results.
Recognition and Fundraising
The 4-H Graduation and Recognition Ceremony is Sunday, July 19 at 2:00 p.m. on the Expo building stage, recognizing key award winners and scholarship recipients. Seniors in grades 12 and 13 register through a survey. The Market Livestock Wrap Up Meeting follows at 5:30 p.m. 4-H clubs also run food stands, with proceeds supporting countywide 4-H programs, Teen Leader events and scholarships, and a club silent auction. Clubs enter a Club Flowerpot online and can win cash prizes.
Where and Who to Call
Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds, 530 Fond du Lac Ave., Fond du Lac, WI 54935. Fair Office: 920-929-3168.
Questions
Does it cost to get in?
No. Admission to the fair is free; concerts, food, carnival rides and grandstand events cost extra.
Can I change my entries after June 17?
Changes are due by noon on July 3.
How do I pay for tags?
Cash or check only, at the Fair Office.
When do I get premium checks?
At exhibit pickup on Sunday, no earlier than 6:00 p.m.
What is the Moo-Ternity Ward?
An agriculture education center with interactive displays about animals and agricultural products, where calves are born daily during the fair.
Official Links
- 4-H at the Fond du Lac County Fair: entries, judging and release
- June 2026 leader letter: pre-fair dates and meetings
- Travel Wisconsin listing: admission and attractions
- Tractor and Truck Pull: grandstand tickets
- Fond du Lac County Fair tickets: 2027 dates
Wisconsin County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Wisconsin had 73 state-aided county and district fairs in 2025, with about 2 million visitors and 43,465 exhibitors, about 72 percent of exhibits from juniors.
Rules differ by county
Each county publishes its own fair book. In Clark County, for example, exhibitors must be 8 to 19, own and show their own animal, and follow species tagging, drug history and weight rules to sell.
Common requirements
Expect premise ID, ear tags or DNA ID, YQCA certification, health papers and early registration, per the Sauk County rules.
Sale day
Selling is its own set of rules. In Clark County you may weigh in several species but sell only one animal, complete three educational points, and sell your own animal in your assigned slot. Check your county's sale rules before you buy a project animal.
Next steps
Get your county's current fair book and mark the spring deadlines now. Dates and rules change each year.
Read the full guide: Wisconsin County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Fond du Lac County Breakfast on the Farm
37th annual breakfast at Tower View Acres near Mount Calvary, Sunday, June 28, 2026.
- Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting and YFA Conference
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau annual meeting, where county delegates vote on policy, combined with the Young Farmer and Agriculturist Conference. Next edition December 4-7, 2026 at Kalahari in Wisconsin Dells.
- Wisconsin Farmers Union Annual State Convention
The Wisconsin Farmers Union state convention, with policy sessions and a Friday evening Farmers Union Camp fundraiser. Next edition December 11-13, 2026 in Appleton; the 95th convention was held December 12-14, 2025.
- Northern Wisconsin State Fair Meat Animal Program Beef Weigh-In
Initial beef weigh-in for youth in the fair's Meat Animal Program, held in Eau Claire.
Eau Claire, WI | Organizer: Northern Wisconsin State Fair Association Official event details - Wisconsin Corn-Soy Expo
Two-day winter trade show for corn, soybean and pork producers with over 150 booths and an education program. Next edition January 21-22, 2027 in Wisconsin Dells; the 2026 show ran January 29-30.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.