Rice County Fair set for July 20 - 25

By Lisa Wann

Special to The Times

The Rice County Fair in Faribault will include entertainment, food and fun for all ages starting July 20 and running thru July 25.

Each year the Rice County Fair puts together a superb week of grandstand events and this year is no different.

Evening grandstand shows will begin each night at 7 p.m. with Moto-Cross Racing kicking off the fun on Tuesday night followed by an Enduro Auto Race on Wednesday night.

The grandstand fun continues on Thursday night with the MRA Pro Rodeo keeping audience members on the edge of their seats. But Friday night, which refuses to be outdone, will feature the ever popular NTPA Regional National Truck and Tractor Pull. And Saturday is sure to start and end with a bang with the Classic Tractor Pull scheduled for 9 a.m. and a Demolition Derby at 7 p.m. A Demolition Derby will also be held on Sunday night.

This year’s carnival features Gold Star Amusements, a company that offers rides that twist, turn and tumble to please all levels of thrill seekers. A passport to fun may be purchased in advance for $30 at Hy-Vee in Faribault, Kwik Trip in Faribault and Northfield and the Rice County Extension Office. The passport gives the holder unlimited ride admission for the entire fair!

In addition to the grandstand events and the carnival, there are also hundreds of exhibits and many free family activities and musical acts.

The Sellner “Free” Stage and the Cannon “Free” Stage will both be offering a wide range of musical acts. Direct from Germany, the Heidelberg Quartet will be performing on Wednesday at 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. National recording artist Kimberlee of Austin, TX will be live in concert on Wednesday for two special acoustic performances at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Other musical treats scheduled throughout the fair include performances by Lyndon Peterson’s one man variety band, the Murphy Bros. Band featuring guitar rock at its finest, the Whitesidewalls bringing back the 50s and 60s in style, and American Pie sharing great American music.

The kids will also love visiting the petting zoo, Buck Woods Wildlife Area and seeing the Showboat Marionette Puppet Spectacular, which performs three times daily. And don’t forget to sign up your youngster (ages 4 - 11) for the Kids Pedal Tractor Pull on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m.

The Arm Wrestling Tournament begins at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

The Robinson Family Carving Co. will have four shows daily, carving various pieces out of wood using chainsaws. The pieces will then be auctioned off on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

For more information on the Rice County Fair call the Fair Hotline at 507-332-2470.