Great old-fashioned family fun at the Dane County Fair this week, July 20–23, at the Alliant Energy Center. Experience free nightly concerts and daily family entertainment with Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Shows and Stingray Encounters education exhibit. There will also be Magical Bubbles, animals, and youth projects galore all included with your admission and parking is free. There’s also delicious fair foods and carnival rides for all ages to enjoy. Visit www.danecountyfair.com for all the details!
Gates are open from 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. each day with no entry after 8:00 p.m. Music entertainment goes until 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, and ends around 9:00 p.m. on Saturday. The Carnival hours are Thursday from 1:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from Noon–10:30 p.m. Ticket sales end at 9:30 p.m. each day. Youth under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian after 4:00 p.m.
Daily admission is $10 for 12 years and older, $5 for youth 6-11 years old, and 5 years old and under are free. Admission is only $3 before 3:00 p.m. on Thursday & Friday.
The Fair goes into full swing on Thursday, July 20 with our Hometown Hero Day. Admission is free for armed forces personnel, police officers, firefighters, first responders, and a guest. Get to the Fair by 11:00 a.m. to support the Flag Raising Ceremony by the Stoughton American Legion Post 59 Honor Guard. The Flag Lowering Ceremony is at 8:00 p.m. There’s also the American Red Cross Blood Drive from Noon–4:00 p.m. The Hometown Hero Resource Fair will be from 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Wrap up your evening with a Madison Roller Derby game at 6:00 p.m. and Feudin’ Hillbillys, a country band with some pop, classic rock and 80’s favorites, on the main stage at 7:00 p.m.—both free with your Fair admission.
Friday, July 21 is Kids Day at the Fair, loaded with free activities. This is fun for the whole family. Kids can enjoy sports games hosted by ESPN Madison or pedal their way to victory in the Kiddie Tractor Pedal Pull. Don’t miss the Wildlife In Need Center and their reptile ambassador exhibit to learn more about our local wildlife. Check out the Kiddie Farm and all the animals in Pavilion 2, horses in Pavilion 1, and pigs in the Arena Building. Parents, don’t miss comedian Mike Brody taking the main stage at 7:00 p.m. followed by Piano Fondue. If you enter the grounds before 3:00 p.m. you can enjoy the admission special of $3 per person.
Help others in the community and have a little fun on Farm Fresh Day on Saturday, July 22. The Fair is partnering with Second Harvest Foodbank and their Farm to Foodbank Initiative. Arrive before 3:00 p.m., and $1 of every cash admission at the gates will go to the Farm to Foodbank Initiative. Tractors will roll down Fairgrounds Drive in the Fabulous Farm Babe Tractor Parade and be on display starting at 11 a.m. Alice in Dairyland will be at the Fair from 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. At 1:30 p.m., don’t miss a performance by the Wisconsin Singers and Dakota Tamminga at 3:30 p.m. The evening ends with performances by Jordan St. Cyr and Consumed By Fire, presented by Life 102.5.
The Fair wraps up on Sunday, July 23 with Family Day and our partners La Movida. There will be a day-long party at the main stage with eating contests, live music, and traditional Latino dance performances. In Pavilion 2 you can see the best senior youth exhibitors test their skills with seven species (NEW this year) as they compete for Master Showman. Then, stay and watch the Dress-A-Critter contest and our second annual Rockstars in the Ring livestock show for youth with an intellectual disability. Don’t miss Busy Dog Training and their dog parkour demonstrations at 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
For more information, visit www.danecountyfair.com or our Facebook and Instagram pages.
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