The Aitkin County Fair is coming soon and the midway is coming even sooner. The midway with carnival rides will run Friday through Saturday, July 1-9. The fair will run Wednesday through Saturday, July 6-9. Aitkin's July 4 Community Celebration will be held at the fairgrounds on Monday.
Advance sale tickets for the carnival, presented by Crescent City Amusements, are available for purchase. Single day session bands are being sold for each day, July 1-9, at $20 in advance or $25 on-site. Mega bands are good for fair dates,July 6-9 only. They can be purchased for $40 in advance or $50 on-site.
An added value only by advance sale is a 20-ticket package for $25 with one ride per ticket. All advance tickets and mega bands can be purchased at banks in Aitkin and McGregor, Paulbeck's County Market and the Aitkin County Auditor's Office.
The carnival on the midway opens at 1 p.m. daily, featuring rides, shows and concessions.
Monday, July 4
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The city of Aitkin will hold its annual July 4 celebration at the Aitkin County Fairgrounds this year. Events include Fleming Methodist Pie Social at 5 p.m. and a Community Band performance 6-7 p.m. Presentation of Colors, Pledge of Allegiance and singing of the National Anthem will take place at 9 p.m., followed by fireworks at dusk.
In case of inclement weather, events will be held Saturday, July 9.
Tuesday, July 5
Entry day is Tuesday, July 5, for all non-livestock exhibits. The Home Activities Building will open at 8 a.m. for open class entries, [closing at 5 p.m.] 4-H exhibits are judged from 1-5 p.m.
Wednesday, July 6
On Wednesday, July 6, all livestock entries will be registered with 4-H horses to be in place by 8 a.m.; 4-H livestock by noon and all open class livestock in place by 5 p.m.
Farm Olympics are on Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the livestock arena. Participants are urged to pull together a team of at least five people and sign up at the cattle barn.
Homemade wine and beer entries will be judged by a panel of three at 6 p.m. in the Home Activities Building.
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The evening will feature stock car races with legend cars in the grandstand, starting at 7 p.m.
Thursday, July 7
A Fun and Game Horse Show begins at 4 p.m. in the horse arena. The Scarecrow Guy, a roaming clown, will be at the fairgrounds from 1-5 p.m.
The Kids' Tractor Pull will be on the midway concourse starting at 6 p.m. Mississippi Fireflies will perform in the Home Activities building starting at 6:30 p.m.
Friday, July 8
From 2-5 p.m., the Simple Guys, a roaming music group, will be performing around the fairgrounds.
The 4-H Blue Ribbon Auction is 5:30 p.m. in the livestock arena.
Back by popular demand will be "School Bus Races," starting at 7 p.m. in the
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grandstand.
Saturday, July 9
The Central Minnesota Cattlemen's Association Riverboat 4-H/ FFA Beef Show will be starting on Saturday morning at 10 a.m.
The Classic Tractor Parade will be back this year starting
at 1 p.m. The musical group Acoustic Smoke will be performing at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. at Watters Pavilion Stage.
Exhibits will be released at 5 p.m. with the midway remaining open for the evening.
The grandstand will feature
Baja Races starting at 7 p.m.
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Guides available
There are many categories for people to enter to show off their talents at the fair again this year.
Exhibitor guides are available at the Aitkin Independent Age, the county auditor's office, area banks and businesses and online at www.aitkincountyfair.org .
