Shyanne Belzer/MDN Workers began setting up for the North Dakota State Fair Wednesday. The State Fair had previously been supplied with rides and games by the Murphy Brother Exposition, but this year a new group, Crabtree, will be taking over.

The North Dakota State Fair will be kicking off its nine days of exhibits, music, rides, food, vendors and fun. The fair will start on Friday at 8 a.m. with the first ag event, FFA Tractor Driving Contest, in the All Seasons Arena. From there, the events will kick off with activities planned every hour.

Every day, the carnival section of the State Fair will open at noon and run until midnight. It will feature children’s rides from bumper cars to the Giant Wheel to the Circus Train and more. More thrilling rides will include the Spin Out, Starship, Orbiter, Tornado and more.

Fairgoers can purchase individual tickets for each ride with every ride costing three to four tickets per ride, a Daily Unlimited Carnival Ride Wristbands form $35 or a Mega Ride Pass, allowing for unlimited carnival rides for all nine days, for $70.

Every day will feature a long list of agricultural exhibits from the many livestock showcases and events to the machinery row and other outside exhibits. A busy schedule of events are planned throughout the fair from the many animal shows to the NPRA Bull and Ranch to the Ranch Rodeo and more.

The State Fair will be bringing back plenty of fair favorite food vendors too. From Flowering Onion to cheese curds to a variety of corn dogs and other deep fried treats, there will be plenty of options for all who attend.

Among those options will be 15 brand new items that will be a part of Food Frenzy, a competition that will give food vendors bragging rights if won. The competition will take place Friday and fairgoers are encouraged to try out the new items.

When fairgoers need a break, they can stop in at three different commercial buildings throughout the fairgrounds to shop from a variety of vendors. Each building will have different items for sale from candy to home items to art to jewelry and clothes and more.

Every night will feature a different show taking over the Grandstand. Starting off the guest performers will be Rascal Flatts on Friday. From there, performers include Justin Moore with special guest Chase Rice, Midland, Ned Ledoux, Rick Springfield with Starship featuring Mickey Thomas and Greg Kihn, Tim McGraw with Mark Mackay and Weezer.

Information on every day-to-day event taking place can be found online at ndstatefair.com/plan-your-visit-daily-schedules.

–

Fair Parade on Saturday

The North Dakota State Fair Parade will be held on Saturday, July 20.

The parade begins at 9:15 a.m. at the intersection of 18th Avenue SW and South Broadway, travels north to Burdick Expressway, then east on Burdick Expressway to the main entrance of the State Fairgrounds, according to a news release from the Minot Police Department.

The parade is preceded by the “Run the Route” foot race at 8:45 a.m.

At 8 a.m., South Broadway will be closed to traffic from 18th Avenue to Burdick Expressway. At 8:30 a.m., Burdick Expressway will be closed to traffic from Broadway to the fairgrounds. Motorists should plan alternate routes during this time.