North Dakota State Fair - Minot, North Dakota

Once a year you have the opportunity to truly enjoy the State Fair in Minot.  See all the sights, meet your friends, watch the competitions and just have a blast with the whole family.

The Dakota State Fair offers Free Entertainment for nearly everyone.  There are shows at the Flickertail Gardens and the Jukebox Junkie Stage.  The SRT State Fair Park also has programs for your entertainment.  If you are a dog lover and you want to see some exceptional dogs then visit the Extreme Canines Stunt Dog Show on Stage 3.  

Visit the Fur Traders Village in the center of the fairgrounds to see demonstrations of tomahawk tossing, blacksmithing and baking in an adobe oven.  The Children are offered beads after enjoying demonstrations and they can be used to barter and trade for prizes.

More for the Children include the Hedrick’s Petting Zoo where the kids (and their folks) can see exotics like kangaroos, camels, zebras and the more domesticated creatures like llamas, donkeys and goats.  This is located in the Kid’s Kingdom.

The Kids Clubhouse is air-conditioned and features activities, games, coloring and an indoor playland.  There is also a Comfort Zone for parents to feed and change infants.

Pathways to Fishing offers a fun course on fishing and hunting safety.  There is a catch and release trout pond where you can test your skills and catch a big one.

Everyone enjoys taking a step back in history so visit the Pioneer Village and visit the General Store, the Blacksmith Shop, and the north Prairie #1 School House.  You can trace your ancestor’s roots through a variety of exhibits and live demonstrations.

Enjoy watching the award winning show of the Rhinestone Ropers as they use bull whip cracking, knife throwing, gun spinning and quick draw shooting to keep you entertained.  You will also see Lucky Joe the Trick Horse.  All of this is on Stage 7.

Of course the long time favorite at the North Dakota State Fair is Daryl’s racing pigs.  This is at Stage 4.

The Aussie Kingdom teaches you about the different species of kangaroos and wallabies, along with native Australian birds such as the kookaburra (remember that song?) and rainbow lorikeets.  You can see them on Stage 5.

Turtleville has a unique display of over 50 turtles and tortoises for you to see and get close to.  This is also at Stage 5.

Naturally you will want to visit the carnival and enjoy the rides.  That seems to be part of the fair that everyone enjoys along with the fair food that you only get once a year!

The livestock shows are a huge part of the fair.  The shows and Exhibits run the entire time the fair is on.  You will be able to see nearly every animal you are interested in on display and in competition so be sure to check the fair schedule.

There is FREE tenting and camping in the East parking lot as long as no electricity or hook ups are needed.  Spots with electricity are $15 a night.

The North Dakota State Fair has a large parking lot on the East side of the grounds, accessible from County Road 19. As always parking in the East Lot of the Fairgrounds is FREE!

Admission: Jr. Gate Admission for ages 7-12 is $3 per day, while Adult Gate Admission ages 13 and up is $7. If you’re planning to attend the Fair for more than three days you can purchase a Season Pass. An adult pass is $20, while a junior pass is $15.
Kids six and under get into the Fair for free.  They also can attend the concerts and Grandstand events for Free as long as they don’t need a seat of their own…laps only.

Your pets are not allowed on the Fairgrounds except for service animals.

The North Dakota State Fairgrounds are located at 2005 Burdick Expressway East in Minot, ND