What the Manitowoc County Fair Is
The Manitowoc County Fair is a five-day fair at the Manitowoc County Expo Center that pairs a full Junior Fair of youth projects and livestock with a midway, grandstand shows and music. The 2026 fair ran August 26 to 30 with the theme "Heart of the County." Attractions included carnival rides by Rainbow Valley Amusements, a sea lion show, AG Adventureland, pony rides, a mini donut derby contest and a Woman's Day event.
Admission and Tickets
| Ticket | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Daily gate admission | $15 | Ages 4 and up. Includes unlimited carnival rides, parking, grandstand entertainment and music. |
| Season ticket | $40 | Entry every day. Does not include rides. |
| Seniors (60+) and veterans | $7 daily | Valid ID required. Does not include rides. |
| Children 3 and under | Free | Does not include rides. |
| Junior Fair exhibitor | $5 | Valid every day of the fair. Entry deadline July 1. |
| Open Class exhibitor | $35 | Valid every day. Entry deadline July 15. |
There are no refunds. Dogs are not allowed on the grounds during the fair except service dogs.
Junior Fair: Who Can Enter and How
Junior Fair exhibitors register online on the fair's Junior Fair Online Entries site, which opens May 1, and pay by credit card when the registration is finished. The general deadline for all Junior Fair exhibitors was July 1, 2026. Projects are grouped by department number, including dairy cattle (1), beef cattle (2), swine (3), sheep (4), goats (5), horses and ponies (6), poultry (7), rabbits (8), dogs (9), llamas and alpacas (11), cultural art (18), woodworking (22), foods and nutrition (25), photography (20), natural sciences (16), booths (32) and youth leadership (33).
Poultry and rabbit exhibitors must attend two educational meetings to show. The remaining 2026 meetings were June 27 and July 25 at 9:00 a.m. at the Manitowoc County Expo.
Contests with Their Own Deadlines
- Kiddie Showmanship registration: August 9
- Tiny Tots registration: August 15
- Rooster Crowing Contest registration: August 29
- Billboard and Planter competitions have their own rules and forms
Dairy youth also have a Kids, Calves and Costumes contest, a fitting competition, the Herd Builder Award and the Outstanding Dairy Cattle Youth Exhibitor award. Sheep and swine have Little Shepherds and Little Squealers showmanship.
Dairy Week: The Timeline
- Saturday, August 22 Shavings are spread and the showring cleaned. Decorating starts at 8:00 a.m. in the Ice Arena.
- Wednesday, August 26 Animals on the grounds by noon. Check-in 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Dairy Barn, fitting competition 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., exhibitor meeting at 5:00 p.m., showring walk-through 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
- Thursday, August 27 Open Class Dairy Show at 9:00 a.m., then showmanship.
- Friday, August 28 Junior Dairy Show at 9:00 a.m., starting with cows.
- Saturday, August 29 Kids, Calves and Costume event at 2:30 p.m., Dairy Youth Award Presentation and Dairy Youth Auction at 2:45 p.m., junior group photo at 4:15 p.m., Culver's Futurity at 7:00 p.m.
- Sunday, August 30 Kiddie Showmanship at 11:30 a.m. Decorations come down no earlier than 5:30 p.m.
Thank-you cards to buyers are due at the Junior Holstein mailbox by 8:00 p.m. Wednesday.
Where
Manitowoc County Expo Center, 4921 Expo Drive, Manitowoc, WI 54221. Expo Office phone: 920-683-4378.
Questions
Does the gate ticket include the rides?
The $15 daily ticket does. Season tickets and the $7 senior and veteran ticket do not.
Do I have to pay a fee to show a project?
Junior Fair exhibitors buy the $5 exhibitor ticket, and registration is paid by credit card online.
Who do I call about poultry or rabbits?
Crystal at 920-973-9722 or Mclain at 920-901-3747.
Where is the dairy show held?
In the Ice Arena, with animals housed in the Dairy Barn.
Official Links
- Manitowoc County Fair, UW-Madison Extension: event listing
- Manitowoc County Fair: dates, admission and attractions
- Tickets and admission: prices and rules
- Junior Fair Department: registration, departments and contacts
- Junior Fair deadline: entry details
- 2026 Dairy Schedule: barn schedule
- NBC26 coverage: 2026 attractions
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
- 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.
- Midwest Horse Fair
Three-day horse fair held since 1979 at the Alliant Energy Center, owned by the Wisconsin Horse Council with proceeds supporting the state equine industry. The next edition is April 16-18, 2027.
1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison, WI 53713 | 920-623-5515 | Organizer: Wisconsin Horse Council Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.