Fond du Lac – Fond du Lac County Fair The festival kicks off July 17 and runs through July 21 with a variety of activities, food and entertainment at the county fairgrounds (520 Fond du Lac Ave.).
It opens at 9 a.m. daily and admission is free, but parking is $10 per car and tickets are required for grandstand events.
Here’s everything you need to know before heading to the fair.
The venue opens early for the bull riding show
Rice Bull Riding Company Professional Bull Riding and Barrel Racing ShowSponsored by Imel Insurance & Financial Services, the fair will kick off its fair season a day early on July 16 at 6:30 p.m. on the Holiday Automotive Grandstand Stage.
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Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and tickets are $17 for adults and $6 for children ages 3 to 12. VIP tickets are $35 and include early admission and a $5 food and drink voucher.
There will be fireworks after the show.
Carnival rides are $1 on opening day
Opens July 17th and 18th at 1pmJuly 19th to 21st at noon.
On opening day, all rides except the Freak Out are $1 until 5pm, with the Freak Out being $2. From 5pm to 10pm, unlimited rides are $25.
On July 18th, there will be two time slots where unlimited rides will cost just $25 each: 1pm to 6pm and 6pm to 11pm.
From July 19-21, the $25 unlimited rides will be available from noon to 5 p.m.
Animal-based activities include judging, “MOO” – the trinity word
The Cow Palace, Horse Arena and Chicken Coop feature judging of a variety of animals, including cows, goats, pigs, horses, rabbits, llamas and caged birds.
Nick’s Farm Adventure Show, located in the Recreation Building, allows kids to become farmers for a day and experience common agricultural tasks. Shows are held daily at 11:30 a.m., 1:30, 3:30, and 5:30 p.m.
The “MOO” Trifecta Area and Education Center, located in the Recreation Building, brings out cows that are close to giving birth, giving attendees the opportunity to watch birthing take place, meet baby animals and learn about the local livestock industry.
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Fill up on traditional fair food
Food options include fair favorites such as shaved ice, cheese curds, ice cream, funnel cake, and cream puffs, as well as barbecue, soft pretzels, gyros, and french fries.
The Wine & Beer Garden Tent will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Entertainment ranges from local artists to grandstand headliners
Musicians performing in the Beer & Wine Garden during the fair include Evan & Tom Leahy, Hannah Rose, Redfish Remix, Brent Bell & The Boys, Fred Ferguson and Slim & Turner.
Fondy’s Got Talent, featuring a diverse range of talent from area youth ages 2-18, will begin at 1pm on the Family Stage in the Expo Building.
Evening entertainment on the Rainey Lodge Stage includes The Presidents on July 17th, Star Six Nine on July 18th, Ask Your Mother on July 19th and Mt Olive on July 20th.
Grandstand headliners announced earlier this year include Vanilla Ice with Rob Bass and Tong Roc on July 18th, Scotty McCreary on July 19th and Pop Evil and Fuel on July 20th.
Tickets are available Vanilla Ice is $60, Scotty McCreary is $50 and Pop Evil and Fuel is $45. VIP options are also available.
Other shows include tractor pulls and demolition derbies.
Holiday Automotive Grandstand Stage entertainment on July 17 will be truck and tractor racing presented by PI Motorsports beginning at 6 p.m. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. and tickets are $15 for adults and $6 for children ages 3-12.
The Demolition Derby will begin at 2 p.m. in the grandstands on July 21. Tickets are $17 for adults and $6 for children ages 3 to 12. Gates open at 12:30 p.m.
VIP tickets are $30 and include early entry at noon and a $5 food voucher.
Tickets for both events are County Fair Website.
Children’s Activities
In addition to carnival rides, activities for kids include seeing the Bear Hollow Wood Carvers and experiencing prehistoric times with Prehistoric Dinosaur Adventure.
Free pony rides are offered daily from 1pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm.
Nick’s kids shows will also air daily at 10:15am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm and 4:30pm.
of Fondy 5K & Kids Fun Run The event kicks off at 8am on July 20th, followed by a baby crawling contest.
Fair partners with SSM Health Treffert Center for sensory-friendly space
Fair organizers and the SSM Health Treffert Center worked together to make the fair a sensory event, creating designated areas on-site for those who needed some time away from the sensory stimulation of the rest of the fair.
The sensory room will be located near the first aid room in the Expo Building from July 18-21 and will accommodate 12 people at a time. It will be a quiet, air-conditioned space with soothing lighting and relaxing sounds to benefit guests with autism, anxiety disorders, developmental disabilities and other sensory needs. Tools will be provided, including weighted blankets, noise-canceling headphones and quiet activities for sensory processing.
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Guests can also check in at their rooms and receive a lanyard or wristband that will allow fair and carnival staff to identify and accommodate guests with sensory issues.
The room will be open from 9am to 7pm on July 18th, 10am to 7pm on July 19th, 8:30am to noon on July 20th, and 9am to 3pm on July 21st.
Additionally, on July 18th from noon to 1pm, carnival rides will operate without lights and music.
For detailed schedules and fair maps, fondulaccountyfair.com.
Daphne Lemke is a streetwise reporter for the Fond du Lac Reporter. She can be reached at inquiry.
