by Aaron Vehling
Thisweek Newspapers

When August rolls around it usually means two things: back-to-school season and the State Fair. But Dakota County residents have another option: the 141st annual Dakota County Fair.

Paul Burkel, the fair's general manager, said there is one major incentive to visit the county fair.

"It's like the state fair but without the hassles,î he said. "You don't have to worry about crowds and parking.î

The fair, which runs from Aug. 7-13, offers a colorful array of activities, foods and grandstand events for people from all walks of life.

Many of the popular Grandstand events are returning this year.

Demo derby
The demolition derby is back at the Grandstand in full force. The compact car division takes place at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 9 and 10. The regular car division is at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 9-12. The pickup truck division is at 1 p.m. Aug. 13.

"[The demolition derby] is pretty successful at our fair,î Burkel said. "We pretty much fill the stands each night we have it.î

Burkel said that in the four years he has been managing the fair, he has encountered some who had never been to a derby but ended up liking it once they had the opportunity to see it.

"It amazes me how many people haven't ever seen a demolition derby before,î he said. "Some people don't understand why they run into each other and wreck their cars.î

A fun opportunity for demo derby enthusiasts is the opportunity to participate in the Automobile Recyclers of Minnesota (ARM) exhibition demo derby, which will take place during the break at the pickup truck division race.

Each junkyard involved in ARM brings a car to the event, Burkel said, and an extra car is built as well.

A drawing is held during the break and a member of the crowd gets to drive a car in the exhibition race, Burkel said.

Supercross
At the Grandstand on Aug. 7 will be the MN Supercross Motorcycle and Quadsport Racing Series.

The 7 p.m. competition features the best in Minnesota supercross motorsports.
Bull riding
The non-motorsport event at the Grandstand is bull riding and barrel racing presented by Buffington Rodeo Co. at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 8.

During the intermission, children will be able to participate in "Mutton Bustin'.î Children can hop on a sheep and ride just as their adult counterparts ride bulls.

Pit stop
Country Joe Racing of Lakeville is holding demonstrations of the pit before each grandstand show.

Attendees have the chance to perform pit repairs on a real race car and win prizes for the fastest work, said Dick Melius, team manager of Country Joe Racing.

The prizes include race tickets and the opportunity to be an honorary crew member at a Country Joe NASCAR event, Melius said.

Food
Good fairs are known for their food and the Dakota County Fair is no exception.

"We're one of the more fortunate county fairs in the state,î Burkel said. "We never have a problem filling vendors.î Currently, there are 275 vendors with 90 on a waiting list, he said.

One thing fair management officials look for in prospective food vendors is that they are "unique and different,î Burkel said. "We have the same variety the State Fair does. It's a smaller scale, that's all.î

The foods range from fair staples, including pronto pups and cheese curds, to more exotic fair such as fried peanut butter sandwiches and bacon fried bacon.

Exhibits and music
The schedule for the weeklong fair is loaded with exhibits, including countless 4-H shows, cooking contests and art shows.

Almost every evening at 7 p.m. there is a different cooking contest or judging session in the Horticulture/Food building. On Aug. 8 there is dairy cooking; on Aug. 9 salsa cooking; on Aug. 10 a pie baking contest; and on Aug. 11 a barbecue cooking contest.

On Aug. 12 at 1 p.m. at the corporate tent there is a Hershey's baking contest.

There is also some action at the music end.

Johnny Holm is returning this with his band at 8:30 p.m. Friday at the main entertainment stage.

On Saturday Minneapolis-based Scarlet Haze performs at the same time and place. The rock band opened for Bon Jovi, Burkel said.

"They're popular and getting good reviews,î Burkel said.

The Dweebs, who Burkel coined a "fun family group,î will be performing at 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

"They play a lot of stuff popular with kids, parents and older folks,î he said. "They get the crowd performing with them.î

Special days
Wednesday, Aug. 9 is Military Appreciation Day at the fair. People with military IDs get in free. There will also be a special ceremony and a fly-by featuring blackhawk helicopters to commemorate the day.

Thursday, Aug. 10 is Senior Citizen Day. Seniors get in free until 4 p.m.

Attendance
Burkel said he hopes attendance will be higher this year than last year. A combination of hot, humid days and ferocious
thunderstorms deterred some from attending the fair.

"High winds destroyed vendor tents and left six inches of water in vendor areas,î Burkel said. "That hurt us.î

About 120,000 people attended the fair in 2005, 10,000 shy of the target.

Burkel said he invites everyone to come enjoy everything the fair has to offer.

"It's a safe, family friendly atmosphere.î

Aaron Vehling is at aaron.vehling@ecm-inc.com.

Top of Page

Check out this week's newspaper for more about your community.

Thisweek Newspapers
12190 County Road 11, Burnsville, MN 55337
Telephone: 952-894-1111 Fax: 952-846-2010