Deb Gotlibson wants one thing for this year’s Dunn County Fair: decent weather.
“Hopefully. this year is going to be a much nicer year,” said Gotlibson, president of the Dunn County Fair Board.
The 2023 fair week saw three grandstand and two free stage shows canceled because of both heat and rain. On one day, she said, the heat index hit 112 degrees, adding, “It was just miserable, and then the storm hit.”
But since 1885, the residents of Dunn County and western Wisconsin have been able to enjoy the Dunn County Fair in July. The fair returns this year on Wednesday, July 24, and concludes on Sunday, July 28.
Because “this year we are regrouping,” Gotlibson said, there are not a lot of new events or attractions. But a lot of volunteers and others are having a fun time with this year’s theme: “Christmas in July.”
“We are putting up Christmas lights, and we will have Christmas trees decorated on the grounds,” Gotlibson said. “We are playing it up big time.”
In fact, she said, some of the musical acts will throw in a Christmas song or two into their performances.
The fair will have a new educational area that is aided by UW-Extension of Dunn County, Gotlibson said, which may include a grain silo model, cow puzzle and photo cut outs. There will also be a stuffed animal show for 4-H Cloverbuds and other younger youth at 1 p.m.. Saturday, July 27, in the Exhibit Hall.
Another new activity is a cornhole (bags) tournament on Sunday. Details for the tournament are available at https://tinyurl.com/bdfr5xuy and the first Dunn County Fair Car Show starting at 9 a.m.
Fair officials wanted to add something to Sunday because it traditionally has been “a kind of a laid back day” and needed something additional, Gotlibson said.
Admission remains at $5 for the day or $15 for season. Children six and under are free, as is parking.
“You can come here and spend a lot of time for just $5,” Gotlibson said.
The usual popular fixtures such as the grandstand entertainment and midway rides are back. Last year the fair brought back an open beef judging event, called the Summer Showdown Beef Show. Summer Showdown beef judging will be at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 27.
Spectrum Carnival is returning to provide rides on the midway. An economical way to purchase ride tickets is through either the Mega Pass Ride Armband ($100 in advance or $125 at the ticket booth) for the 40 hours of riding at the fair, or the Daily Unlimited Ride Wristband for $25 in advance and $30 at the ticket booth.
The acts at the iHeart Media Stage are Rich Schroeder, 6 p.m., Wednesday July 24; Chicken Ranch, 6 p.m., Thursday, July 25; Bear Creek Band, 7 p.m., Friday July 26; The Sidekicks, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 27; and The Memories Gospel Show, noon, Dunn County 4-H Awards Ceremony, 1 p.m., and The Memories Variety Show, 2:30 p.m., Sunday, July 28.
Red Cedar Races will be held at the grandstand at 7 p.m. July 25 and July 26, while the National Tractor Pullers Association Regional National Tractor Pull will be held at 7 p.m. July 27. A demolition derby will be held at 3 p.m. July 28.
Gotlibson said the demo derby went off without a hitch last year. “Demos like mud,” she said. “They were fine.”
The popular meat animal auction will be held at 5 p.m. July 27, and the Little Britches Show will be held at 10 a.m. July 28.
Volunteers are always needed to help with the fair, Gotlibson said. She encouraged people to visit the website at dunncountyfair.org for details and for forms to enter the various judging classes.
