It’s Fair Season! Here’s The 2024 Northland County Fair Schedule
The season of rides, animals, music, and fair food is here! Summertime in the Northland means the return of county fair season across Northern Minnesota & Wisconsin, with fair events spread throughout the summer.
The area's fair season kicks off in early July, and runs into August, providing several opportunities to enjoy summertime and the fun fairs offer - whether it's the entertainment, food, rides, people-watching, or just the overall experience.
Here is a schedule and some highlights from each of this year's area fairs:
2024 Northern Minnesota & Wisconsin County Fair Schedule
South St. Louis County Fair - July 2 - July 7, 2024
Proctor, MN
One of the Twin Ports fair traditions returns for several days of fun, with the midway and petting zoo open daily July 3-7. Other highlights include live music from Todd Eckart (Thursday), The Centerville All Stars Band (Friday), and Aftershock (Saturday), along with rodeo action on Friday night and a talent contest on Sunday.
Plenty of other things go on through the fair, including 4H events, free cornhole games with some tournaments scheduled, and more!
$5 for a daily pass, and $15 for a weekly pass
Full schedule and more information on the South St. Louis County Fair website.
Aitkin County Fair: July 10 - July 13, 2024
Aitkin, Minnesota
This year marks the 133rd Aitkin County Fair, which happens at the Aitkin County Fairgrounds in Aitkin, Minnesota. The midway will be open through the course of the fair, and some of the highlights of the grandstand include bus & stock car races, Baja rally races, and Mud Rhythm Mega Truck races.
Some other things on the schedule include music from the Chicago tribute band DTA on Wednesday, Boss Mama and the Jebberhooch as well as Salty Dog on Thursday, and Rafe Carlson on Friday.
Admission is free, and parking is $5 per vehicle per day.
Full schedule and more information on the Aitkin County Fair website.
Washburn County Fair: July 25 - July 28, 2024
Spooner, WI
This marks the 112th Washburn County Fair, with the public welcome starting Thursday, July 25 for things like the carnival (daily), a horse show, and live music from the Shell Lake Arts Center Show Choir and The Dweebs.
Friday includes a kiddy tractor pull, Veteran's program, and live music from the Chad Edwards Band. Friday also happens to be "Drive Your Tractor to the Fair Day".
Saturday will be highlighted by The Otis Plum Experience performing in the evening, and Sunday includes highlights like the Veggie 500 race, Whips and Wheels, and a talent show in the afternoon.
Gate fees:
- $10 per carload for fair visitors
- $5 per person for walk-in visitors
- $20 season pass available for access through the whole fair
See the full schedule and get more information on the Washburn County Fair website.
Head of the Lakes Fair: July 30 - August 3, 2024
Superior, WI
The fairgrounds in Superior will fire up the excitement at the end of July and will include some big throwback names in the country music world as part of this year's events.
Along with the carnival, demolition derby, live pro wrestling, and various other events and attractions, the throwback country act Confederate Railroad hits the stage on July 31 at 5 pm and another throwback country act Kentucky Headhunters performs on August 1 at 5 pm.
Admission includes the grandstand events at the Head of the Lakes Fair, with prices this year being:
- $15 for general admission
- $10 for children 5-17 and those ages 65+
- $10 military discount
- Kids 5 and under are free
See the full schedule and get more information on the Head of the Lakes Fair website.
(North) St. Louis County Fair: July 31 - August 4, 2024
Chisholm, MN
Not to be confused with the other St. Louis County Fair in Proctor, this Iron Range-based version of the St. Louis County Fair gives the largest county in Minnesota a second fair to enjoy.
Gates open at 3 pm on Wednesday the 31st, and the week's events include bull riding on Thursday, kids day on Friday, all-day horse show activities on Saturday, and things wrap up with one more day of fun for all on Sunday.
Music this year at the fair will include the Iron Range Funk Band, “Doc” Thronson Band, and Chicago tribute band DTA.
You'll also be able to hit rides and games on the midway, catch a tractor pull, draft horse demonstration, ATV show, and more! You can see the full daily schedule here.
Gate prices:
- Seniors (62+): $5
- Adults (16-61): $10
- Kids (6-15): $5
- 5 and younger: Free
Full schedule and more information on the St. Louis County Fair website.
Pine County Fair: July 31 - August 4, 2024
Pine City, MN
Labeling themselves the "Greater Minnesota Get-together", the Pine County Fair includes a lot of free entertainment and some exciting grandstand events, along with the other fair food and fun.
The Grandstand features a truck pull, tractor pull, and two nights of demolition derbies, while the free entertainment includes live music, a talent show, and more.
Parking and admission to the fairgrounds are free, but there is a charge to get into the grandstand events.
Full schedule and more information on the Pine County Fair website.
Lake County Fair: August 8 - August 11, 2024
Two Harbors, MN
Gates for the Lake County Fair open to the public on Thursday, August 8, with four days of fair fun on the docket in Two Harbors.
A new attraction for this year called "Ninja Anywhere" is a free obstacle course that will be available to check out throughout this year's fair. Also at this year's event include attractions like a human tractor pull, blindfolded lawn mower races, professional wrestling, and more.
General admission for the fair is $5, with those 65 and older and military members getting in for $3. Kids under 6 are free.
Full schedule and more information on the Lake County Fair website.
Bayfield County Fair: August 8 - August 11, 2024
Iron River, WI
Aside from the normal fair things like booths, food, live music, and the midway, some of the highlights for the fair include grandstand events like bull riding and barrel racing and the Tuff Truck Challenge.
Admission (includes parking, grandstand shows, and all entertainment):
- Daily admission: $15/person (only $10 on Thursday)
- Season pass for the duration of the fair: $30/person
- Veterans: $5 on Friday
- Seniors (62+): $5 on Sunday
Full schedule and more information on the Bayfield County Fair website.
Itasca County Fair: August 14 - August 18, 2024
Grand Rapids, MN
This year's fair kicks off on Wednesday, August 14, running through August 18, with a variety of fair fun all week long. The fair doesn't have any specific details for this year's event listed yet, but you can follow the latest at the link below.
Admission to the fair is free, with parking either $10 per day or $20 for the duration of the fair. Camping is also available.
See the full schedule and get more information on the Itasca County Fair website.
Carlton County Fair: August 15 - August 18, 2024
Barnum, MN
Four days of fair fun kick off on Thursday, August 15, when gates open to the public at 11 am. Fair organizers haven't released a detailed schedule yet for this year's fair, but horse racing, a demolition derby, auto racing, and tractor pull are always part of the fun at the grandstand, with a lot of other entertainment like live music and bingo elsewhere around the fairgrounds.
$10 gate fee for adults, $5 for kids under 6-11, free for kids 5 and under with grandstand events $10 for adults and $5 for kids
Free parking
See the full schedule and more information on the Carlton County Fair website.
Ashland County Fair: August 15 - August 18, 2024
Marengo, WI
So this is pretty cool! The fair features free rides and grandstand event access all weekend with paid admission to the fair. While the fair's website doesn't offer a lot of specifics for this year's event yet, they highlight the traditions of carnival rides, visiting 4H exhibits, and food.
Daily Passes
- Thursday & Sunday: $12 (ages 4+)
- Friday & Saturday: $15 (ages 4+)
- Senior daily passes (62+): $5
Season Passes
- Ages 4+: $30 ($25 in advance)
- Seniors (62+): $10
You can get the latest updates on the Ashland County Fair website.