MADISON, WIS. – Enjoy family fun at the Dane County Fair this week, July 18–21, at the Alliant Energy Center. Experience FREE nightly concerts, daily family entertainment with The Canine Stars Stunt Shows, KidBuck$ Game Shows, ACME Magic Factory Shows, and Magical Bubbles, animals, and youth projects galore all included with your admission and parking is FREE. There’s also delicious fair foods and carnival rides for all ages to enjoy. Visit www.danecountyfair.com for all the details!
Gates are open from 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. each day with no entry after 8:00 p.m. Music entertainment goes until 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, and ends around 9:00 p.m. on Saturday. The Carnival hours are Thursday from 1:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from Noon–10:30 p.m.; ticket sales end at 8:30 p.m. each day. Youth under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian after 7:00 p.m. New this year will be a drive-up gate at the main gate (Rimrock Road). All attendees will purchase their admission ticket at the ticket booth and park before entering the Fair through the security entrance.
At gate daily admission is $15 for 12 years old and over, $10 for youth 6-11 years old, and 5 years old and under are FREE. Admission is only $7 before 5:00 p.m. on Thursday & Friday. Credit cards (NEW) and cash are accepted at the gates. Save money on admission and buy tickets online at www.danecountyfair.com/p/tickets.
The Fair goes into full swing on Thursday, July 18 with our Hometown Hero Day. Admission is free for armed forces personnel, police officers, firefighters, and first responders. Get to the Fair by 11:00 a.m. to support the Flag Raising Ceremony by the Stoughton American Legion Post 59 Honor Guard; the Flag Lowering Ceremony is at 7:00 p.m. There’s also the Hometown Hero Resource Fair from 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., and so much more. Wrap up your evening with a Madison Roller Derby game at 6:00 p.m. and Madison County on the main stage at 7:00 p.m.—both free with your Fair admission.
Calling all kids to come out Friday, July 19 and celebrate our youth during Kids Day at the Fair, loaded with FREE activities. Kids can enjoy ESPN’s NEW Announcer Experience or pedal their way to victory in the Kiddie Tractor Pedal Pull! Check out the Kiddie Farm and all the animals including pigs in Pavilion 2 and horses in Pavilion 1. Parents, don’t miss Totally Neon, an MTV 80's pop rock tribute band bringing the glitz & glam to the main stage for a high energy show at 7:00 p.m.! So much to do in one day, you will want to enter the grounds before 5:00 p.m. to enjoy the admission special of $7 per person.
Have a little farm fun on Farm Fresh Day on Saturday, July 20. Tractors will roll down Fairgrounds Drive in the Fabulous Farm Babe Tractor Parade and be on display starting at 11 a.m. Following the parade will be FREE tractor rides from 1:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. for youth ages 4 and up. After your tractor ride, make sure to meet Alice in Dairyland around the grounds from 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. At 1:30 p.m., don’t miss a performance by the Wisconsin Singers in the Exhibition Hall! New this year, is our third annual Rockstars in the Ring livestock show for youth with an intellectual disability which moves to Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Then stay for the AgrAbility Demonstration showing how adaptive equipment can be used for farming and livestock showing. The evening ends with exciting FREE performances by Patrick Mayberry and Caleb & John, presented by Life 102.5 in the Exhibition Hall starting at 6:30 p.m.
The Fair wraps up on Sunday, July 21 with Family Day and our partners La Movida. Be sure to stay for the day-long party at the main stage with eating contests, live music, and traditional Latino dance performances beginning around noon. New to the Fair this year is the youth dog show starting at 8:00 a.m. with agility and followed by obedience and showmanship in the Exhibition Hall. In Pavilion 2 starting at 10:00 a.m., you can see the best senior youth exhibitors test their skills with seven species as they compete for Master Showman. Then, stay and watch the Dress-A-Critter contest at 11:30 a.m.
In the heart of Madison, the Dane County Fair is home to free concerts, stunt shows, animals, a carnival, and all the best fair foods. With over a 170-year history, the Dane County Fair will once again be held at the Alliant Energy Center, July 18–21, 2024. The Dane County Fair thanks its Supreme Grand Champion Sponsor Miller & Sons Supermarket, and Grand Champion Sponsors Blain’s Farm & Fleet, Compeer Financial, La Movida, and Life 102.5. For more information, visit www.danecountyfair.com or our Facebook and Instagram pages.
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