Dodge County Fair opening Wednesday
Dodge County’s 166th Free Fair opens on Wednesday with the fun continuing through Sunday, July 16 at the fairgrounds in Kasson.
Residents who intend to exhibit in the Open Class Building Exhibits are reminded that entry day for the Creative Activities Building will be on Monday, July 10, 12 to 8 pnd l.m.
Visitors are also reminded that due to the continuing road construction on Highway 57 there will be alternate routes to the fairgrounds.
The Department of Transportation is recommending that fair visitors use the following routes:
Traffic south of Kasson should take Highway 14 east towards Byron, turn left on Dodge County Road 15, turn left on 16th Street NE and turn left on 5th Avenue NE.
Traffic coming north of Kasson should turn on Dodge County Road 15, turn right on 16th Street NE and left on 5th Avenue NE.
Those coming from Kasson should follow the Highway 57 and Houston’s Greenhouse detour signs.
Grandstand participants are asked to use the County Road 15 route to access the fairgrounds. Check in for the pits will be off 7th Street.
FFA and 4-H livestock shows, as well as open class livestock, will continue throughout the week. The 4-H Dog Show will be on Saturday and the 4-H Pet Show will be on Monday.
Grandstand shows for 2023 include the Rice Bull Riding Challenge on Wednesday, Thunderbird Open Stock Cars on Thursday, the Dodge Mayhem Trailer Race on Friday, the DC Championship Demo Derby on Saturday and something new, Autocross Races on Sunday.
There will be entertainment each day at the Entertainment Center with Chris Rollo playing daily from 4 to 7 p.m. except Sunday. Bands will play from 8 p.m. to midnight each night, 21 and older after 8 p.m. Evening entertainers include Danglers, Colt 45, Ragtown, Roadhouse 8.
There are free activities going on each day too.
Wednesday is Military Public Service Day and activities include Greg the Great’s Magic Show, the Mayor’s Cow Milking Contest, and music by The Lost Faculties.
Thursday is Kids/Family Day with George of the Juggle performances, a Whip Cream Pie Eating Contest, showing of the movie Charlotte’s Web, the 4-H Fashion Review and the Dodge County Amateur Talent Contest.
Friday is Senior Citizens Day including entertainment and a free lunch for senior citizens.
Events going on all week include bingo by Holy Family Catholic Church, agriculture, creative arts and foods displays, FFA, horticulture, photography, commercial, and 4-H exhibits.
The Little Farmer’s Barn will be open with a variety of activities for kids 10 and under.
Midwest Rides will again be providing the Carnival rides and games.
The final day of the fair will feature the annual Hall of Fame Program to honor those who have made the fair possible throughout the years as well as recognize the 2023 Century Farm Families and the 2023 Dodge County Farm Family of the Year.
Inducted into the Hall of Fame will be Larry and Betty Butler and Doug and Sandy Gochauer.
Recognized as Friends of the Fair (In Memory) will be Jerry Boyd, Marlys Delzer, Ruth Hanson, Mike Stevens, and Dale Wellik.
Century Farm Families for 2023 are Dennis and Marilyn Aarsvold Farm and the Lawren and Marina Castner Farm. Glenn and Carolyn Hahn will be recognized as the 2023 Dodge County Farm Family of the Year.