ANOKA, MN (July 20, 2026) The Anoka County Fair opens Tuesday for six days of livestock exhibitions, carnival rides, agricultural education, live entertainment and grandstand attractions at the Anoka County Fairgrounds.
This year’s fair runs from Tuesday, July 21, through Sunday, July 26, at 3200 St. Francis Boulevard in Anoka.
Organizers have assembled a schedule combining traditional county-fair attractions with concerts, motorsports, contests, animal exhibitions and activities designed for children and families.
Parking will be free throughout the fair. Grandstand performances and entertainment around the grounds are included with gate admission, according to fair organizers.
Six Nights of Grandstand Entertainment
The fair’s grandstand schedule begins Tuesday with the Monster Truck Nitro Tour as part of Kids Day.
Great Frontier Bull Riding takes over the grandstand Wednesday, followed by two evenings of National Tractor Pullers Association competition Thursday and Friday.
Country-rap performer Colt Ford will headline Saturday night with special guest Hayden Coffman.
The fair concludes Sunday with its annual demolition derby. The event begins at 1 p.m., with championship competition to follow. Grandstand bleacher seating for the derby is included with Sunday’s gate admission, but organizers recommend arriving early. The grandstand will open at 10 a.m.
The complete grandstand schedule is:
- Tuesday, July 21: Monster Truck Nitro Tour
- Wednesday, July 22: Great Frontier Bull Riding
- Thursday, July 23: NTPA Tractor Pull
- Friday, July 24: NTPA Tractor Pull
- Saturday, July 25: Colt Ford with Hayden Coffman
- Sunday, July 26: Annual Demolition Derby
Schedules remain subject to change, and visitors should consult the fair’s official website before traveling.
Agriculture Remains at the Center
Although the grandstand draws some of the fair’s largest crowds, agriculture remains central to the event’s purpose.
Livestock exhibitions, open-class animal competitions, creative exhibits and educational demonstrations will allow visitors to see the work of local farmers, young exhibitors, craftspeople and gardeners.
The Compass Agriculture Education Building will provide opportunities to learn more about farming and food production. Southwest Dairy will conduct milking demonstrations throughout the week.
A new attraction, Agri Bot: The Agricultural Transforming Robot Show, will present an interactive agricultural performance in the fair’s Old Town area.
Returning attractions include Swifty Swine Racing Pigs, with multiple shows scheduled on fair days.
Special Days and Family Activities
Tuesday will be Kids Day, with half-price gate admission and carnival rides among the scheduled promotions.
Wednesday will include Senior Day programming as well as the fair’s America 250 observance.
Visitors who bicycle to the fair Tuesday or Wednesday will receive free gate admission. The promotion is intended to provide an alternative way to reach the grounds while reducing traffic and parking demand.
Carnival rides, food vendors, craft workshops, talent competitions and live performances will continue throughout the week.
The fair will also host a mullet competition, open-class creative exhibits and music on several stages, including the grandstand, bandshell and beer garden stages.
Planning a Visit
The fairgrounds are located at 3200 St. Francis Boulevard in Anoka.
Because daily opening times, admission promotions and individual activity schedules vary, families should review the official daily calendar before visiting.
Admission and carnival information can be found through the fair’s website. Questions may be directed to the fair office at 763-427-4070.
Sources: Anoka County Fair, Explore Minnesota and Anoka County
MinneapoliMedia | Community. Culture. Civic Life.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source minneapolimedia.town.news ’
