by Ruth Dunn
Thisweek Newspapers

Camel rides.

Batter-fried peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Demo derbys.

Black Hawk helicopters.

Guinea pig shows.

Pie-eating contests.

And so much more.

You name it. You can find it at the seven-day Dakota County Fair, Aug. 8 through 14, say promoters of the annual event.

They suggest you come to the fairgrounds in Farmington with comfortable shoes, an empty belly and all the family members you can round up.

Every year, fair organizers try to think up new events to tempt visitors to attend. There's plenty of competition from other nearby entertainment like ValleyFair and casinos.

"Fairs must evolve and change if they want to survive,î said Henry Fox of Rosemount, who has seen plenty of change during the 50 years he's been actively involved in the Dakota County Fair.

He currently serves as president of the 13-member fair board, a nonprofit organization which oversees the fair. "We're always asking people what works for them and what doesn't. Every year we hope to make the fair bigger and better.î

This year, a lure is a John Deere utility vehicle, valued at $5,200, which will be given away. Fairgoers can enter daily drawings to qualify for the prize.

Informational fair flyers have been sent to 164,000 mailing addresses in Dakota County.

The fair typically attracts 120,000 to 150,000 visitors each year, according to Paul Burkel of Rosemount, general manager of the fair. That makes it one of the most attended county fairs in a state that loves its fairs, he said.

At 350 acres, including a 150-acre prairie restoration area, the fairground is the largest county fairgrounds in the state. Over 3,500 parking spaces are available.

Now in its 140th year, the Dakota County Fair began in 1858, the same year that Minnesota achieved statehood. The fair was cancelled only during world wars and polio epidemics.

"The fair tells you about the communities, people, opportunities, services and entertainment the county has to offer,î said Wendy Wustenberg of Farmington, another member of the fair board. "There's nothing else like the county fair. It's a chance once a year for everyone to come together.î

The fair is a family affair for the Wustenbergs. They take their vacation at the fair and spend the whole week there. "It's something we do as a family, an end of summer ritual.î

She sees the fair as an opportunity to "stroll around and open yourself up to new things you never knew you were interested in.î

Fox, a farmer, says the fair is an important way to stay connected to agricultural roots as the county becomes more suburban. The livestock are his favorite part of the fair.

The fair is also the culmination of the 4-H year and youngsters are proud to show off the projects they've been working on and try to quality as grand champions to go to the state fair.

Weather is the worst threat to fairs, said Burkel. Attendance at the Ramsey County Fair dropped by 50 percent during a sweltering heat wave earlier this month.

Last year's Dakota County Fair included some chilly days when people donned down jackets. "It was a ghost-town some evenings here,î remembers Burkel.

Perfect weather would be clear skies and a temperature from 75 to 85 degrees.

The fair began charging an entrance fee a few years ago in addition to parking fees. Revenue from fees helps pay for improvements to the aging buildings and grounds. Recent improvements have included paving the Third Street entrance, constructing a new grandstand and painting the sheep building.

Burkel worried that construction on Ash Street, originally scheduled to end by Aug. 5 but now behind schedule, would be a problem. But an arrangement has been worked out so that construction will be stopped during the fair and the street will be usable as an entrance.

Still, the preferred fair entrance is on Highway 3.

There will be 280 vendors selling food and wares. The beer garden has been moved closer to the entertainment area. A wide variety of free entertainment will be offered. Area businesses, organizations and government agencies will have displays.

Funland, a family-owned carnival, will return as it has for more than 50 years.

Many activities will be taking place at Dakota City Heritage Village, set up as a 1900-era rural village right on the fair grounds. The bank and train will be "robbedî and mail-order brides will arrive.

A skateboard park, created last year at the suggestion and help of a 4-H group, will return and may become a permanent feature if its popularity continues.

Animals will be all over the place including exotic ones in addition to livestock and a petting zoo. The demolition derby is so popular that it will take place on five nights.

The fair will be open 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on opening day Aug. 8, and from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on the other six days of the fair. For more information, go to www.dakotacountyfair.org.

Ruth Dunn is at farmington.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.

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