The Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Indian Horse Relay is a new event planned for the grandstand at this year’s North Dakota State Fair in Minot. Shown in this photo from Tree Top Photography and Gary Snow, are rider Joseph Looking Horse and holder Jarvis Big Lake.

The North Dakota State Fair packs your summer with food, concerts, contests, exhibits, and entertainment every single year. Are you ready for the best summer yet? The 2022 State Fair will be bringing out an entirely new level of summer fun. This year we are welcoming a lot of new and exciting competitions, grandstand entertainment, and free stage fun for all ages to enjoy. Take a look at just a bit of what’s new!

Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Indian Horse Relay

Last year we brought you the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara (MHA) Native American Dancers, they will be back in 2022, however, this year, we have partnered with the tribe to bring a new and exciting dirt event into the grandstand for a show you won’t want to miss. The Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Indian Horse Relay will be held in the grandstand on Tuesday, July 26. The event will be a part of your grandstand show pass or you can buy day of show tickets, limited availability may apply. During the event and change over between heats, the MHA Dancers will be taking the big stage and providing entertainment so you won’t miss a beat of MHA heritage, tradition, and culture.

So, what is an Indian Horse Relay you ask? A night full of entertainment featuring talented Native American athletes gathering their teams and racing their horses to the finish line on one of the shortest tracks in the Midwest. A team consists of four members – a rider, a mugger, two holders, and three horses. Riders mount their first horses bareback at the stall, while the holders retain the other two horses. After making a lap around the track, the rider hops off of the first horse and mounts the second horse in a dazzling display of athleticism. It is the mugger’s job to catch the first horse. After repeating the process once more, the third and final lap ends at the finish line in front of the grandstand. There will be four heats with a championship round concluding the relay. This is a brand-new N.D. State Fair event you won’t want to miss!

Demolition Derby

Racing into the grandstand on Monday, July 25, is the demolition derby. Back for the first time in many years, come to the Fair on Monday and watch cars crash into each other. The last man standing wins and receives prize the money!

Chainsaw Art by Nick Smith

New Free Stage entertainment alert. Nick and his wife, Amanda, have never attended the North Dakota State Fair and brought such fun and unique entertainment to life. They are on a mission to become full-time chainsaw carvers & artists. With three to four, one-hour shows per day, Nick offers professional Chainsaw Carving Demonstrations, including speed carving, creating wood sculptures such as birds, mammals, fish, abstract, local/state specific animals. He also carves signs, wall hanging slabs, structural/architectural type of pieces, like farm equipment, barn, and cabins. All finishing and detailing to be done between shows.

The Nerveless Nocks

The Nerveless Nocks are descendants of the Swiss Circus Family Nock and are among the most respected aerial stunt artists in the world today.

Sensational Sky-High Swaypoles!

Featuring a hand-over-hand climb to the top of a breathtaking aerial exchange from pole to pole and an unbelievable headfirst free-fall back to the ground (1-8 poles).

The Astro Nocks Daring Spacewheel!

This fast-paced act will keep your audience on the edge of their seats. While revolving on the aerial pendulum, the Nocks perform leaps, somersaults, handstands and actually walk the wheel blind-folded (three different size wheels, as well as a Double Spacewheel are available).

The Skykings Skycycle!

A thin-stretched steel cable is the aerial highway for the Skykings as they balance a motorcycle with a trapeze attached underneath. This act is packed with death-defying aerial maneuvers!

Nock The Clown!

This award-winning comedy entertainer can perform chair-stacking, juggling, uni-cycling, as well as comedy antics on the wire and trampoline. Nock the Clown is truly a versatile slap-stick artist!

The Nocks Globe of Fear!

A giant 17-foot steel globe. One to three motorcycle stunt riders race at high speeds narrowly missing each other as they race upside down. A spectacular daredevil show! (Four globes available).

These are just a touch of some of the fun and exciting events the North Dakota State Fair is bringing to you this year! We will see you at the fair July, 22-30!