How Minnesota County Fairs and the State Fair Work
Minnesota's youth livestock season runs through county fairs in the summer and ends at the Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul. County fairs are organized locally with the county 4-H program and FFA chapters, so each fair's premium book and rules come first. This guide pulls together published listings and University of Minnesota Extension and State Fair pages. Dates can change, so confirm with the fair board.
2026 County Fair Dates
A third-party county fair list gave these confirmed 2026 dates for a sample of fairs:
- Hennepin: June 11 to 13
- Morrison: June 25 to 28
- Polk and Winona: July 8 to 12
- Dodge, Isanti and Pennington: July 15 to 19
- Anoka: July 21 to 26
- Wright, Scott and Marshall: July 22 to 26
- Olmsted: July 27 to August 2
- Washington and Chippewa: July 29 to August 2
- Freeborn and Benton: August 4 to 9
- Crow Wing: August 4 to 8
- Dakota: August 10 to 16
- Mower, Stevens and Beltrami: August 11 to 16
- Steele: August 18 to 23
- Lac qui Parle: September 10 to 13
The same list covered more than 55 confirmed fairs, so there is likely one near you. The 2026 season is over, and 2027 county dates were not published at the time of writing, so ask your county fair board or Extension office.
Minnesota State Fair
The 2026 State Fair ran August 27 to September 7, with more than 38,000 competition entries for nearly $2.5 million in prize money, per the fair's 2026 recap. The 2027 fair is set for August 26 through Labor Day, September 6. The Minnesota 4-H program there serves more than 4,000 exhibitors, according to the State Fair 4-H page.
Who Can Show
For a typical county, the Wright County 4-H State Fair guide lists these requirements, which show how county programs work. Check your own county:
- The member must have completed sixth grade for State Fair, except for a club Share-the-Fun act.
- The member must be enrolled in 4-H by May 15.
- Projects must be registered for County Fair by June 5 on the county's entry website.
- Livestock exhibitors need current Livestock Quality Assurance and Ethics Training certification.
FFA members have their own State Fair contests. In 2024, those were open to FFA members in grades 7 to 12 in good standing, per the FFA judging contests sheet.
Ownership and Animal ID
Extension's 4-H animal ID page sets the statewide rules:
- Animals must be identified in 4-H Online by May 15 to exhibit at a 4-H event. Market beef had a February 17 deadline in 2026.
- Animals must be owned only by the member or their family. Market animals cannot be leased, except prospect calves.
- One animal cannot be identified by more than one family, and each animal goes under one member's profile.
- Swine ID also requires identifying the premises where the pig is kept.
- If an animal is shown as a market animal at the county fair, it must also show as a market animal at the state fair.
Entry and State Fair Logistics
- State Fair 4-H registration goes through the online system at users.mnstatefair.org, and the premium book is typically available in early June.
- The State Fair livestock and horse registration system opened June 22, with daily auto passes limited to two per exhibitor.
- Overnight livestock parking requests go into a lottery if submitted between 8:00 and 11:59 a.m. on the registration date.
- In Wright County, State Fair livestock exhibitors must be with their animal by Sunday at 1:30 p.m. and stay for the whole encampment.
- Livestock departments include beef and dairy cattle, dairy and meat goats, poultry, rabbits, sheep and swine.
Show Day and the Sale
The 2026 State Fair 4-H schedule, per Extension, put the beef cow/calf and poultry shows on August 27, the dairy, meat goat and swine shows on August 28, rabbits and dairy on August 29, and the Purple Ribbon Livestock Auction at 6 p.m. August 29. All 4-H livestock was released at noon August 30. The Purple Ribbon Auction raised more than $1.35 million for 115 4-H members in 2026.
Practical Tips
- Enroll in 4-H by May 15 and ask your county office for its ID message before buying an animal.
- Read your county premium book and State Fair 4-H premium book. County rules can be stricter.
- Complete Livestock Quality Assurance training before registration.
- Plan to be present with your animal for the whole State Fair encampment.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2027 Minnesota State Fair?
August 26 through Labor Day, September 6, 2027.
When must my animal be identified?
By May 15 for most species. Market beef had a February 17 deadline in 2026.
Can I lease a market animal?
No, except prospect calves. Breeding animals can be leased.
Where do I find my county fair book?
Ask your county Extension office or 4-H leader.
Minnesota Listings Covered by This Guide
- West Otter Tail County Fair
West Otter Tail County Fair in Fergus Falls is next scheduled for July 21-24, 2027; the 2026 fair ran July 15-18.
Fergus Falls, MN Official event details - Hennepin County Fair
Held each year at Corcoran Lions Park; the most recent dates were June 11-13, 2026. A suburban fair on the edge of the Twin Cities, with 4-H judging for county youth held in Minneapolis ahead of the fair.
7205 County Rd 101, Corcoran, MN 55340 | Organizer: Hennepin County Fair Official event details - Wadena County Fair
Wadena is the home of the Wadena County Fair. Held each year; the most recent dates were Thursday 06-18 through Sunday 06-21, 2026. Held in mid-June in Wadena, this is among the first county fairs of the Minnesota summer.
Wadena, MN | Organizer: Wadena County Fair Official event details - Morrison County Fair
Morrison County Fair is one of the earliest county fairs of the Minnesota season; the most recent dates were June 25-28, 2026, in Little Falls.
Little Falls, MN Official event details - Todd County Fair
Long Prairie is the home of the Todd County Fair. Held each year; the most recent dates were Thursday 06-25 through Sunday 06-28, 2026. One of the earliest county fairs of the Minnesota season, held in Long Prairie in late June.
Long Prairie, MN | Organizer: Todd County Fair Official event details - Norman County Fair
Norman County Fair is held at the Norman County Fairgrounds in Ada each June; the most recent dates were June 24-27, 2026, with market beef IDs due in February.
Ada, MN Official event details - Mahnomen County Fair
Held each year in Mahnomen around the start of July; the most recent dates were July 1-4, 2026. The county 4-H group follows a schedule of events published for the fair.
W Park Ave, Mahnomen, MN 56557 | Organizer: Mahnomen County Fair Official event details - Chisago County Fair
Held each year in Rush City; the most recent dates were July 9-12, 2026. Held in Rush City, the fair is the showcase for Chisago County 4-H project work.
Rush City, MN Official event details - Northern Minnesota District Fair
Held each year in Littlefork in Koochiching County; the most recent dates were July 9-11, 2026. Horse and other animal science 4-H exhibits from the county are shown here rather than at the Northome fair.
Littlefork, MN | Organizer: Northern Minnesota District Fair Official event details - Hubbard County Fair
Held each year at the Hubbard County Fairgrounds at Hwy 34 and Fair Avenue on the west edge of Park Rapids; the most recent dates were July 14-18, 2026. 4-H judging experiences run at the fairgrounds that week.
Fair Avenue, Park Rapids, MN 56470 | Organizer: Hubbard County Fair Official event details - Aitkin County Fair
Held each year in Aitkin; the most recent dates were July 8-11, 2026. The fair is the main summer gathering for Aitkin County 4-H and open-class exhibitors.
Aitkin, MN Official event details - Polk County Fair
Polk County Fair is held in Fertile each July; the most recent dates were July 8-12, 2026. Animal IDs were due May 15 and project registration June 15.
Fertile, MN Official event details - Waseca County Free Fair
Waseca is the home of the Waseca County Free Fair. Held each year; the most recent dates were Wednesday 07-08 through Sunday 07-12, 2026. Waseca hosts this free-admission fair with 4-H livestock shows and open-class exhibits in early July.
Waseca, MN | Organizer: Waseca County Free Fair Official event details - Winona County Fair
St. Charles is the home of the Winona County Fair. Held each year; the most recent dates were Wednesday 07-08 through Sunday 07-12, 2026. St. Charles, not Winona itself, hosts the fair for the county, which runs a bluff country 4-H program.
St. Charles, MN | Organizer: Winona County Fair Official event details - Grant County Fair
Held each year in Herman; the most recent dates were July 16-19, 2026, with the Grant County 4-H showcase run during the fair days.
605 Vienna Ave, Herman, MN 56248 | Organizer: Grant County Fair Official event details - Redwood County Fair
Redwood County Fair in Redwood Falls is held each July; the most recent dates were July 16-19, 2026, with 4-H schedule of events published by the county 4-H program.
Redwood Falls, MN Official event details - Sherburne County Fair
Elk River is the home of the Sherburne County Fair. Held each year; the most recent dates were Thursday 07-16 through Sunday 07-19, 2026. A four-day fair in Elk River, one of the shorter fair weeks in the north metro area.
- Watonwan County Fair
St. James is the home of the Watonwan County Fair. Held each year; the most recent dates were Thursday 07-16 through Sunday 07-19, 2026. Watonwan County 4-H clubs, including dairy, swine, poultry and horse project members, show at this fair.
St. James, MN | Organizer: Watonwan County Fair Official event details - Roseau County Fair
Roseau is the home of the Roseau County Fair. Held each year; the most recent dates were Sunday 07-19 through Friday 07-24, 2026. Roseau County 4-H members show summer projects here, and the fair runs six days in July.
Roseau, MN | Organizer: Roseau County Fair Official event details - Fillmore County Fair
Held each year in Preston; the most recent dates were July 20-26, 2026. Fillmore County 4-H members register through FairEntry and show livestock at the Preston fairgrounds.
Preston, MN Official event details - Anoka County Fair
Held each year in Anoka; the most recent dates were July 21-26, 2026. It is the metro-area fair for Anoka County, with 4-H exhibits alongside carnival and grandstand events.
- Isanti County Fair
Held each year at the Isanti County Fairgrounds in Cambridge; the most recent dates were July 15-19, 2026. 4-H clubs from across the county exhibit projects and animals during the run.
3101 MN-95, Cambridge, MN 55008 | Organizer: Isanti County Fair Official event details - Kittson County Fair
Held each year in Hallock in the far northwest corner of the state; the most recent dates were July 15-19, 2026.
205 N 4th St, Hallock, MN 56728 | Organizer: Kittson County Fair Official event details - Pennington County Fair
Pennington County Fair in Thief River Falls is a five-day July fair; the most recent dates were July 15-19, 2026, with 4-H fair registration through FairEntry closing June 15.
Thief River Falls, MN Official event details - Wabasha County Fair
Wabasha is the home of the Wabasha County Fair. Held each year; the most recent dates were Wednesday 07-15 through Saturday 07-18, 2026. A four-day Mississippi River bluff country fair with 4-H and open-class competition.
Wabasha, MN | Organizer: Wabasha County Fair Official event details - Blue Earth County Fair
Held each year in Garden City; the most recent dates were July 23-26, 2026. It gives the county 4-H clubs a showcase for projects and livestock.
Garden City, MN Official event details - East Otter Tail County Fair
East Otter Tail County Fair serves the Perham and New York Mills area each July; the most recent dates were July 23-26, 2026.
Perham, MN Official event details - Olmsted County Fair
Olmsted County Fair in Rochester is the largest fair in this group, running a full week; the most recent dates were July 27 to August 2, 2026.
Rochester, MN Official event details - Becker County Fair
Held each year in Detroit Lakes; the most recent dates were July 29-August 1, 2026. 4-H project judging and livestock shows are organized with the Becker County Extension office.
Detroit Lakes, MN Official event details - Chippewa County Fair
Held each year in Montevideo; the most recent dates were July 29-August 2, 2026. Chippewa County 4-H clubs and open class exhibitors show projects and livestock in Montevideo.
Montevideo, MN Official event details - Faribault County Fair
Held each year in Blue Earth; the most recent dates were July 22-25, 2026. Faribault County 4-H clubs show livestock and projects at the fair in Blue Earth.
Blue Earth, MN Official event details - Kanabec County Fair
Held each year in Mora; the most recent dates were July 22-26, 2026, drawing exhibitors and visitors from across the Kanabec County area.
701 S Union St, Mora, MN 55051 | Organizer: Kanabec County Fair Official event details - Pine County Fair
Pine County Fair in Pine City ran July 29 to August 2, 2026, its most recent dates; 4-H exhibits are staged in the 4-H Exhibit Hall.
Pine City, MN Official event details - Pope County Fair
Pope County Fair in Glenwood is a four-day summer fair; the most recent dates were July 29 to August 1, 2026, with 4-H youth showing projects and livestock.
Glenwood, MN Official event details - Rice County Fair
Faribault is the home of the Rice County Fair. Held each year; the most recent dates were Wednesday 07-22 through Sunday 07-26, 2026. The fair includes 4-H general project judging and a 4-H ribbon auction on the Saturday of fair week, held at the fairgrounds on Fairgrounds Drive.
Faribault, MN | Organizer: Rice County Fair Official event details - Rock County Fair
Luverne is the home of the Rock County Fair. Held each year; the most recent dates were Wednesday 07-29 through Saturday 08-01, 2026. Luverne, in the southwest corner, hosts this late-July to early-August fair for Rock County.
Luverne, MN | Organizer: Rock County Fair Official event details - Scott County Fair
Jordan is the home of the Scott County Fair. Held each year; the most recent dates were Wednesday 07-22 through Sunday 07-26, 2026. Jordan hosts the Scott County fair in late July, running Wednesday through Sunday.
Jordan, MN | Organizer: Scott County Fair Official event details - Sibley County Fair
Arlington is the home of the Sibley County Fair. Held each year; the most recent dates were Wednesday 07-29 through Sunday 08-02, 2026. Arlington hosts 4-H and open-class exhibits; the county 4-H program holds a ribbon auction for fair animals.
Arlington, MN | Organizer: Sibley County Fair Official event details - Stearns County 4-H and County Fair
Sauk Centre is the home of the Stearns County 4-H and County Fair. Held each year; the most recent dates were Wednesday 07-29 through Sunday 08-02, 2026. Stearns 4-H members show livestock and general projects here, and the county 4-H program also fields state fair encampments.
Sauk Centre, MN | Organizer: Stearns County 4-H and County Fair Official event details - Washington County Fair
Stillwater is the home of the Washington County Fair. Held each year; the most recent dates were Wednesday 07-29 through Sunday 08-02, 2026. The St. Croix River valley fair brings 4-H and open-class agriculture exhibits to the east metro.
Stillwater, MN | Organizer: Washington County Fair Official event details
Plus 41 more. Find yours on your county's page in the Minnesota directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.