Steele County Fair kicks off Aug. 13

The Steele County Free Fair is ready to kick off another year of great entertainment and fun August 13-18, 2024. The Steele County Free Fair, one of Minnesota’s Biggest County Fairs, has over 5,000 free exhibits – including 200 animals – to delight fairgoers, including the FFA Children’s Barnyard, the Great Outdoors Center, and the Thorni Ridge Exotic animals, sponsored by Community Bank Owatonna and R&K Electric. Free entertainment abounds on four outdoor stages as well as in Ye Olde Beer Garden. In addition, more than 300 indoor commercial exhibits and over 200 outdoor vendors, including more than 100 food stands, and up to 40 thrilling carnival rides on the GoldStar Amusements midway will be available daily.

 

Halls of Fame and Century Farm Recognition

The Equine Hall of Fame program, sponsored by Farmer’s Feed and Pet Supply, will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, August 13 in the cattle show arena. Honored and inducted into the Equine Hall of Fame this year will be the Albert Sr. and Marge Kath Family, and Tank the horse, a registered Dakota Clabber. Tank is owned by Monte and Nancy Mowry. The Livestock Hall of Fame and Century Farm recognition will follow in the show arena at 2:30 p.m., sponsored by Central Farm Service. Inducted into the Livestock Hall of Fame this year will be Jane and Allen Nelson, and Dr. Les Hansen. The Steele County Free Fair will recognize two Sesquicentennial Farms this year. James R. and Elaine Springer and Eugene and Carol Stoltman, all of Hill Crest Farm, and Mark and Ruth Pfeifer.

 

Old Time Music

Fairgoers who enjoy listening to some great polka music will want to be in Fair Square Park on Thursday, August 15. The Charlie Sticha Band will take the stage at 12 p.m., followed by the iPolka Band at 2:30 p.m. And at noon on Friday, August 16, the Dan Stursa Band will play some great old-time music on the Wenger Fair Square Stage while you enjoy lunch from one of our fabulous food vendors.

 

The Dan Stursa Band will return to entertain fairgoers at 1 p.m. Sunday, August 18 in Ye Olde Beer Garden. The Dan Stursa Band is sponsored by Ritchie Brothers.

 

The Village Stage in the Village of Yesteryear will also feature toe-tapping old-time tunes throughout the week.

 

Ride Specials

GoldStar Amusements Midway will feature daily ride specials again in 2024! We’ll start at the beginning with Power 96 Radio Night on Tuesday when all rides are only $2.00 each from 5-11 pm. Wednesday is Horizon Eyecare Professionals Kid’s Day and features a $25.00 ride pass for unlimited midway rides from noon to 5 p.m. Gold Star Amusements will honor Senior Citizens (62+) with a super-special from noon to 5 p.m. on Senior Day (Thursday) when seniors can enjoy Carousel & Ferris Wheel rides for JUST ONE COUPON! Culver’s brings us Moonlight Madness on Thursday! Bring your Moonlight Madness coupon (available at Culver’s Owatonna location) and enjoy unlimited midway rides from 5-11 p.m. for only $27.00; $30.00 without Culver’s coupon.

 

Friday is North Risk Partners/TPS Insurance Family Fun Day and features unlimited rides from noon to 5 p.m. for just $25.00! Saturday is Profinium Inc. Ride Day, where a $30.00 wrist band entitles the wearer to unlimited rides from noon to 5 p.m., PLUS a chance to win one of eight bicycles being given away by GoldStar Amusements Midway. The fair wraps up on Sunday with Hy-Vee Family Day, when a $30.00 wrist band entitles the rider to unlimited midway rides from noon to 9 p.m.

 

The Gold Star Amusement Mega-Ride ticket is $60.00 and is on sale from 8 a.m. July 15, 2024 to 5 p.m. August 13, 2024, the opening day of the fair at Hy-Vee in Owatonna only. The Mega-Ride ticket is redeemed for a ride wristband/lanyard, which entitles the holder to unlimited midway rides all week. The Mega-Ride ticket can be redeemed at the midway entrance starting at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 and may be redeemed at a midway ticket office during midway hours throughout the fair.

 

For the Senior Fairgoers

On Senior Day (Thursday), all seniors ages 62+ coming to the fair BEFORE NOON, may park FREE in the general parking lot on the ball diamonds. Shuttle service will be available from the parking lot to the west side of the fairgrounds. The Steele County Senior Citizen Volunteers of the Year, Diane and Dale Hendricks, will be recognized at 11:30 a.m. on the Wenger Fair Square Stage. Gold Star Amusements will also honor Senior Citizens (62+) with a super-special from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. when seniors can enjoy Carousel & Ferris Wheel rides for JUST ONE COUPON! There will also be senior citizen discounts available from many of our vendors between noon and 5 p.m.