Guide to summer events in Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Oshkosh & Sheboygan<\/p>\n A month-by-month short-list guide to festivals, fairs and community events in Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Oshkosh and Sheboygan for summer 2026.<\/p>\n Wochit, Brandon Reid<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/media-video><\/div>\n <\/story-highlights> FOND DU LAC \u2013 The Fond du Lac County Fair runs July 15-19 at the county fairgrounds, 520 Fond du Lac Ave., and opens daily at 9 a.m.<\/p>\n General admission is free, but parking on the grounds is $10 per carload and tickets are required for grandstand events.<\/p>\n Here’s everything to know before heading to the fairgrounds.<\/p>\n July events: <\/strong>Fond du Lac County Fair among 8 local events to check out in July<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n The Immel Insurance and Financial Services\u00a0Professional Bull Riding and Barrel Racing show<\/a>\u00a0will draw visitors to the Holiday Automotive Grandstand before the fair officially opens, starting at 6:30 p.m. July 14.<\/p>\n Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and tickets are $19 for adults and $6 for kids ages 3 to 12, available on the\u00a0county fair website<\/a>. VIP tickets are $41 and include early entry and a $5 food and drink voucher.<\/p>\n Fireworks kick off the fair season after the show at 9:30 p.m.<\/p>\n Music lineup: <\/strong>MJ Live, Night Ranger, Trace Adkins set for Fond du Lac County Fair<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Carnival rides from Rainbow Valley Rides<\/a> range from kiddie rides to high-speed thrill rides, including the Tilt-A-Whirl, Rock Star, Wacky Shack, and more.<\/p>\n Rides open at 1 p.m. July 15 and noon July 16-19. Unlimited ride wristbands<\/a> are $15 for the first opening day timeslot \u2014 valid from 1 to 4 p.m. \u2014 then $25 for the 5 to 10 p.m. timeslot.<\/p>\n Wristbands are $25 for each five-hour timeslot the rest of the fair: noon to 5 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m. July 17 and noon to 5 p.m. July 18-20.<\/p>\n The Cow Palace, the Horse Arena and the Poultry Barn will host judging of a variety of animals, including cows, goats, pigs, horses, rabbits, llamas and caged birds.<\/p>\n The Cow Palace will also hold the small animal auction and Little Britches Animal Show, followed by a kids’ tractor pull.<\/p>\n The Horse Arena will have the horse shows at noon July 18 and 9 a.m. July 19, plus the Drill Team Performances at 5 p.m. July 15, 4 p.m. July 16, 6 p.m. July 17, 3 p.m. July 18, and noon July 19.<\/p>\n In other farm-related activities, the “MOO”-ternity Ward and Education Center in the Recreation building brings in cows that are close to giving birth to give attendees a chance to see a live birth, meet baby animals and learn more about the area’s livestock industry.<\/p>\n Food options will include fair favorites like shaved ice, cheese curds, ice cream, kettle corn, french fries, gyros and funnel cake.<\/p>\n The Fond du Lac County Fair Facebook page<\/a> featured vendors offering Korean corn dogs, fresh-squeezed lemonade, chopped brisket sliders, and deep-fried cookie dough on a stick.<\/p>\n A Wine Walk<\/a> across 10 booths around the fair runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 19. Tickets are $18 and in limited supply from the county fair website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Vendors will set up in the Expo Center, ranging from small business crafters to home improvement businesses. This also includes 4-H projects and face painting.<\/p>\n The Midway Patio Tent<\/a> will feature Brent Bel and the Boys at 5:30 p.m. July 15 and Frankie Moscato at 5:30 p.m. July 16, while July 17 features Fred Ferguson at 2 p.m., Free Comedy Show at 6 p.m., and Seven Heads at 9 p.m.<\/p>\n July 18 includes the Mercury Marine Veteran Program\u00a0from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., an Apple Pie Contest\u00a0at 2 p.m., America 250 Trivia\u00a0at 4 p.m., and music from Brandon Todd\u00a0at 9 p.m.<\/p>\n Evening entertainment on Leinie Lodge Stage<\/a> will include Eagles tribute band Take It Easy at 6 p.m. July 15, followed by Fleetwood Mac tribute band Hypnotized at 8:30 p.m.<\/p>\n The Glam Band will play at 6 and 9:30 p.m. July 16, while Driftwood will play the same timeslots July 17, and The Now will play July 18. The stage will also feature a car show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 19.<\/p>\n Headliners on the National Exchange Bank and Trust stage at the Holiday Automotive Grandstand<\/a> include MJ LIVE July 16, Night Ranger July 17, and Trace Adkins July 18.<\/p>\n Tickets are available<\/a>\u00a0for MJ LIVE for $39, Night Ranger for $35, and $49 for Trace Adkins. VIP options are also available for Night Ranger and Trace Adkins.<\/p>\n Non-music grandstand entertainment for July 15 will be the truck and tractor pull<\/a>. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. for the 6 p.m. show. Tickets are $17 for adults and free for kids age 12 and under.<\/p>\n The demolition derby<\/a> will start at 2 p.m. July 19. Tickets are $19 for adults and $6 for kids ages 3-12. VIP tickets are $40 and include early entrance at noon and a $5 food voucher. Gates open for general admission at 12:30 p.m.<\/p>\n Tickets for both events are available on the\u00a0county fair website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Kid-friendly activities include watching the Bear Hollow Wood Carvers and \u00a0Dominguez Attractions\u00a0daily at the Kids Carnival Corral, an area that also features free pony rides and a giant sandbox.<\/p>\n Halls of Magic will have daily performances at 12, 2:30, and 4 p.m. in the Expo building. The Expo Building will also feature bingo, the Culver’s Kids Coloring Contest, 4-H graduation, and the Fondy’s Got Talent competition<\/a>, engaging a variety of talents from the area’s youth ages 2 to 18, starting at 1 p.m. July 18.<\/p>\n On the grounds, the Fun on the Run Pig, Duck & Goat Races will have daily shows at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 7:00 p.m.<\/p>\n The\u00a0Fondy 5K & Kids Fun Run<\/a>\u00a0will kick off at 8 a.m. July 18, followed by a baby crawling contest.<\/p>\n For more about this year’s fair, including the full schedule and fair map, visit\u00a0fonddulaccountyfair.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nThe fair runs July 15-19 with free admission, $10 parking, carnival rides, Korean corn dogs, Trace Adkins, Night Ranger and a demolition derby.<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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Bull riding and barrel racing kick off activities before opening day<\/h2>\n
Carnival rides open each afternoon<\/h2>\n
Cows, pigs and more are featured in the barns between judging<\/h2>\n
Food includes classic fare and Korean corn dogs<\/h2>\n
Vendors are featured in the Expo Center<\/h2>\n
Entertainment is featured on National Exchange Bank stage and other stages<\/h2>\n
Other grandstand shows include a tractor pull and demolition derby<\/h2>\n
More entertainment is featured for all ages<\/h2>\n