The North Dakota State Fair and the North Dakota State Parade are the biggest events of the summer, bringing to Minot thousands of visitors from all over the state, out of state and Canada.

The 2023 fair started Friday, July 21, when its gates opened. Based on last year’s figures, over the fair’s nine-day run it is quite likely more than 300,000 visitors will pass through the gates. Last year, State Fair total attendance was 314,271, up 3,586 from 2021, according to reported fair attendance for 2022. The record is 320,486 visitors in 2013.

The parade is today, and the many people who line the streets to watch it will see more than 200 units make their way from the corner of Broadway and Burdick Expressway to and through the fairgrounds.

Both of these events – with the fair recognized as the largest event in the state and the parade as one of the largest parades in the state – are major and important events held in this city.

Both make a significant economic impact on this community.

The fair’s backbone is agriculture. It’s a time for 4-H and FFA members to exhibit their projects and show their livestock and/or other live projects. This is an educational opportunity for these young people as well as a chance to be part of a major event.

For those with exhibits in open class, they have the opportunity to share their work with others.

Learning experiences also take place through other exhibits and displays by businesses, organizations and individuals from the local area, statewide and out of state.

Fair visitors also can enjoy the fair food, entertainment, etc.

We extend a welcome to visitors to Minot for the State Fair and N.D. State Parade. We hope you enjoy your time spent here.