Siouxland County Fairs

*Update in progress. Adding 2023 as available!*

From the funnel cake and pork tenderloins to adorable live animals, sack races, monster truck races, talent shows, and professional live music, to the glory and defeat from entering competitions, county fairs are one of the best parts of late summer around Siouxland!

 
If you live in Sioux City, our county fair, the Woodbury County will be August 2nd through 6th, 2023 in Moville, Iowa. You can find more info in my Woodbury County Fair post. But there are tons of great fairs in the area, and while some restrict competition entries to residents of their own county, all of them are fun to attend no matter where you live! The Woodbury County Fair website is down at time of last update to this post on 7/3/23 so definitely don't hesitate to call the fair office with questions.

 Here's the scoop on as many other nearby fairs as I could find details for, divided by state and then put in alphabetical order. This post will be updated frequently throughout the summer as more details become available. If you are affiliated with a county fair and have info to share, please e-mail me so I can include it!

Iowa

Buena Vista County

Dates: July 6th through 10th, 2023

Location: Alta, Iowa

Highlights: Carnival rides, horse show, kids activities, 4H and open class competitions, and grandstand acts including demolition derby, tractor pull, barrel racing, and Sequoia Newland and Eli Alger

For more information: Visit the Buena Vista County Fair website

Cherokee County

Dates: July 19th through 23rd, 2023

Location: Cherokee, IA

Highlights: Jurassic Quest, Hot Diggity Dog Show, Electrifiying Magic, pony rides and carnival rides. Plus a diaper derby and kids' costume contest and parade, 4H and open class competitions, and grandstand acts including a tractor pull, barrel racing, wrestling, mutton bustin, demolition derby, and more!
For more information: Visit the Cherokee County Fair website or Facebook page

Clay County

Dates: September 9th through 17th, 2023

Location: Spencer, Iowa

Highlights: Carnival rides, kids activities, 4H and Open Class competitions, plus tractor pulling and car racing action, and grandstand acts including Jimmie Allen with Parmalee, Katy Nichole, Herman and the Hermits with Peter Noone, Jo Dee Messina with Diamond Rio, Hairball, and Dylan Scott with Ingrid Andress.

For more information: Check out the Clay County Fair website or find them on Facebook, twitter, or instagram 

Dickinson County

Dates: July 15th through 20th, 2023

Location: Spirit Lake, Iowa

Highlights:  Primarily a 4H and FFA Fair, with open class events and fair queen and little miss fair queen competitions.

For more information: Visit the Dickinson County Fair website 

Harrison County

Dates: July 18th through 24th, 2023

Location: Missouri Valley, Iowa

Highlights: Carnival rides, rodeo, 4H & Open Class competition displays, monster truck racing, country concert with Brad Morgan and Monica Austin, and music from the Rock N Roll Cowboyz

For more information: Check out the Harrison County Fair website

Ida County

Dates: July 18th through 23rd, 2023

Location: Ida Grove, Iowa

Highlights: 4H Fair plus carnival rides and arcade games, tractor pull, rodeo, ax throwing, a ladies night painting event, Little Miss and Mister contests, aglympics and mud drags.

For more information: Check out the Ida County Fair on Facebook. 

Lyon County

Dates: July 16th through 20th, 2023

Location: Rock Rapids, Iowa

Highlights: Figure 8s, open class events, rapid speedway races, hypnotist shows, and more

For more information: Check out the Lyon County Fair Facebook page.

Monona County

Dates: July 11th through 16th, 2023

Location: Onawa, Iowa 

Highlights: Giant yard games, foam party, several free community meals, face painting, balloon animals, fair parade, kids activities, Tractor Pull,  Demolition Derby, and Casey Muessigman live in concert

For more information: Check out the Monona County Fair website or find them on Facebook

O'Brien County

Dates: July 22nd through 27th, 2023

Location: Primghar, Iowa

Highlights: Open class and 4H competitions, carnival rides, horse show, petting zoo, live music from the Paul Family Bluegrass, tractor pulls, atv races, and auto racing

For more information: Check out the O'Brien County Fair website

Osceola County

Dates: July 18th through 22nd, 2023

Location: Sibley, Iowa

Highlights: BBQ contest, king & queen competitions, pinewood derby car show, demolition derby, tractor pulls, dog shows, carnival rides

For more information: Check out the Osceola County Fair website

Plymouth

Dates: July 27th through July 31st, 2022

Location: LeMars, IA

Highlights: Tractor pull, Kids Day, motocross, demo derby, and a hypnotist, and live music from Jason Pritchet, The Browns, and more!
For more information: Visit the Plymouth County Fair website or find them on Facebook

Sac County

Dates: July 26th through 30st, 2022 

Location: Sac City, Iowa

Highlights: Rodeo, tractor pull, figure 8s, a grandstand musical performance from Diamond Rio, rides, inflatables, fair queen contest, and more!

For more information: Check out the Sac County Fair website

Shelby County

Dates: July 13th through 17th, 2022

Location: Harlan, IA

Highlights: 4H, FFA & open class competitions, auto racing, tractor pull, fair parade, carnival rides, kids contests, live music from Finding Dixie, ag olympics, and fireworks!

For more information: check out the Shelby County Fair Website

Sioux County

Dates: July 9th through 13th, 2023

Location: Sioux Center, Iowa

Highlights: Hands-on ag exploration center, bull riding, kids pedal tractor pull, 4H & open class events, live music, balloon animals, petting zoo, inflatables, outdoor family movie, mini-train rides, and more!

For more information: Check out the Sioux County Fair website

Nebraska

Antelope County

Dates: August 2nd through 7th, 2022

Location: Neligh, NE

Highlights: 4H & open class competitions, bull riding, antique tractor parade, demolition derby, ice cream social, inflatables, live music, & more!

For more information: Check out the Antelope County Fair

Boone County

Dates: July 9th through 13th, 2022

Location: Albion, Nebraska

Highlights: 4H & open class events, petting zoo, fair parade, kids tractor pull, horse show, kids day, carnival games & rides, and live music

For more information: Check out the Boone County Fair website

Burt County

Dates: July 15th through July 19th, 2021

Location: Oakland, Nebraska

Highlights: Omaha Circus Arts, Omaha Street Percussion, fair parade, dog and cat shows, carnival rides, and a grandstand musical performance from Rodney Atkins with Andy Griggs

For more information: Check out the Burt County Fair website

Cedar County

Dates: July 13th through 17th, 2021

Location: Hartington, Nebraska

Highlights: Rodeo, barrel racing, free kids carnival, free bbq/burger social, pedal pull, pie contest, rodeo queen contest, and grandstand performances from Dylan Scott, Walker Hayes, and Little Texas

For more information: Check out the Cedar County Fair website

Cuming County

Dates: August 11th through 14th, 2022

Location: West Point, Nebraska

Highlights: Bull riding, tractor pull, demo derby, carnival rides and games, 4H and open class events, live music, wildlife encounters, bicycle action show, and more!
For more information: Check out the Cuming County Fair website

Dakota & Thurston Counties

Dates: August 4th through 6th, 2022

Location: South Sioux City, Nebraska

Highlights: Tractor pull, bull riding, barrel racing, community BBQ, Junk-a-Palooza, kids day, fair parade, community movie night, and more!

For more information: Check out the Dakota and Thurston Counties Fair website

Dixon County

Dates: July 7th through July 10th, 2022

Location: Concord, Nebraska

Highlights: 4H & open class events, carnival games & rides, community bbq, car show, demo derby, tractor pull, live music from Ben Grillet and Angie K, and more!

For more information: Check out the Dixon County Fair website

Knox County

Dates: August 11th through 14th, 2022

Location: Bloomfield, Nebraska

Highlights: 4H & FFA Fair with tractor pull, cornhole competition, carnival rides, and more!

For more information: Check out the Knox County Fair website

Madison County

Dates: July 5th through 10th, 2022

Location: Madison, Nebraska

Highlights: 4H and open class events, rodeo, petting zoo, carnival rides, heritage village, motocross, and grandstand performance from 3 Doors Down

For more information: Check out the Madison County fair website

Pierce County

Dates: July 27th through July 31st, 2022

Location: Pierce, Nebraska

Highlights: Extreme Bull Riding, demo derby, tractor pull, hog wrestling, barrel racing, bull racing, mud volleyball, 4H and open class events, kids pedal pull, and live music. 

For more information: Check out the Pierce County Fair website

Stanton County

Dates: August 3rd through 7th, 2022

Location: Stanton, Nebrakska

Highlights: Carnival rides, car show, demolition derby, wine tasting, kids day, live music and more!

For more information: Check out the Stanton County fair website

Wayne County

Dates: July 21st through 24th, 2022

Location: Wayne, Nebraska

Highlights: Demolition derby, tractor pull, bull riding, 4H and open class events, free family day on Wednesday, carnival rides, and live musical grandstand acts

For more information: Check out the Wayne County Fair website

South Dakota

Clay County

Dates: August 11th through 13th, 2022

Location: Vermillion, South Dakota

Highlights: Open class and 4H competitions, pedal pull, barnyard olympics, kids' activities, ATV drags and barrel racing, demolition derby, the Great Plains Zoomobile, a street dance with live music, and more!

For more information: Check out the Clay County fair website

Sioux Empire Fair

Dates: August 5th through 13th, 2022
Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Highlights: Carnival rides, fair food, competitions, kids activities, ATV racing, PRCA Rodeo, and grandstand acts (grandstand acts free with fair admission!) including Old Dominion, Hairball, Justin Moore, 38 Special, and the Country Comeback Tour
For more information: Check out the Sioux Empire Fair website

Union County

Dates: August 4th through 6th, 2022

Location: Alcester, South Dakota

Highlights: 4H Fair, Pancake Breakfast, Pedal Pull, Tractor Pull, Balloon Animals, Zoomobile and more!

For more information: Check out the Union County extension office website

Minnesota County Fairs

Rock County

Dates: July 27th through 30th, 2022

Location: Luverne, MN

Highlights: Donkey Races, Enduro auto racing, tractor pulls, Great Lakes Timber Log Show, Kent Family Magic Circus, the Minnesota Kite Society, and much more!

For more information: Visit the Rock County Fair website

Nobles County

Dates: August 4th through 8th, 2022

Location: Worthington, MN

Highlights: Truck & Tractor Pull, live music, carnival, and 4-H and open class events including a dog show!

For more information: Visit the Nobles County Fair website.

So whether you're showing animals or artwork; whether you're looking for great live music or great fair food; Siouxland's county fairs in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota have it all! Have a great time this fair season!