This year promises to be one of the biggest and best fairs yet, say Northern Minnesota District Fair organizers.
Fair board member Tom O’Connell said the fair will have its own weekend relative to other high-profile Borderland events, and an even bigger carnival this year. The district fair will run from Sept. 3-6 at the Littlefork Fairgrounds.
“Our date is totally contingent on getting a carnival and when they can come,” O’Connell explained. “There’s about 25 fairs in the state this year that are going to be without carnivals. There just aren’t very many operators anymore. So we’re fortunate, very fortunate, just to be able to get a carnival — let alone a much bigger carnival than what we had last year to come up here.”
He explained that the company, Cody Rides, will also do the Lake of the Woods County Fair the weekend before the Northern Minnesota District Fair.
O’Connell said the fair board wanted to get away from conflicting dates with the International Falls Bass Championship, planned for this weekend. Last year, the two events were held on the same weekend.
The Littlefork event is the only remaining district fair in Minnesota. “We’re really doing anything we can to keep the fair alive and kind of re-brand it and bring it back,” O’Connell said.
One of the most notable changes to increase the offerings at the fair will be a bigger carnival than the fair has had in recent years. There will be about six rides for adults and teenagers, and six rides for children, O’Connell said.
“This will be the biggest carnival in certainly the last five years that I’ve been involved,” he explained. “Probably the biggest carnival that’s been up here in the last 10 years.”
O’Connell said there will be some thrilling rides, including the return of a ferris wheel and a “zipper”-style ride.
The dozen amusements will be about double the rides from last year — with the increase being seen in rides for teens and adults. O’Connell said this should help strike a balance, with something that anyone could enjoy.
“It went from not a very good carnival (in 2007), to no carnival (2008), to a good carnival but small carnival (2009), and now hopefully a good carnival, bigger carnival (2010),” he explained, recapping the past few years of the Northern Minnesota District Fair.
Particularly devastating to the fair attendance was the year without a midway, when the fair only had some inflatable games for young children. “As soon as it came nighttime, it was over. There was no music, there was no lights, it was pitch dark on the fairgrounds.” That was 2008. Last year, the fair returned with a smaller but active midway and the fair saw increased attendance.
“If this goes OK, there’s a good chance we can lock in something with this carnival. It’s taken persistence and a good sales job on the area to get them to come up. We’re hoping we can get people out,” O’Connell said.
The midway is expected to be open from Friday through Monday. “Look for some great ride promotions on Monday,” he hinted.
The 11-member fair board has been working since the fair ended last year to plan the schedule of events and ready the grounds for the Labor Day weekend events.
Upgrades this year include a fresh coat of paint on many of the buildings; repairs and upgrades to the race complex, including moving the lawn-mower race track closer to the grandstands; and improving the horse and cattle barns.
Also new at the fairgrounds this year will be Xtreme Archery. A certified archery instructor will be manning the 16-target activity and providing assistance to those unfamiliar with the sport.
A wine tasting from 5-6 p.m. Saturday will feature locally made wines.
Racing enthusiasts will have a chance to fill their need for speed each day of the fair. Mud races will christen the track from 6-9 p.m. Friday. Lawn mower races will be held starting 6 p.m. Saturday. Oval races will run from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.
Fireworks will begin at dusk Saturday, and are to be preceded with some entertainment on the fairgrounds. O’Connell said they’ll be a “true Fourth-of-July-type fireworks. I think that’s a can’t-miss deal — fireworks over Labor Day weekend.”
The 5K and 10K Clover Cruise run or walk will take place Sunday morning on the fairgrounds. This second year of the race will begin at 9 a.m. Registration will start at 8 a.m. For more information on the Clover Cruise, visit www.northlandrunner.com.
The fair is expecting a usual compliment of food and other vendors, O’Connell said.
“One thing that we’re always looking to do is utilize the fairgrounds more often. It’s a beautiful fairgrounds,” O’Connell said.
Some of the items he mentioned as potential attractions for the fairgrounds was a flea market and go-kart track.
For a complete listing of fair events and more information, visit www.northernmndistrictfair.com.
