Free Stages & Special Events

Run to the Fair! Enter the Run the Route Run/Walk on Saturday, July 19th.  All ages are encouraged to participate. Prizes will be awarded to the top male and female finishers.

Register here! 

Adorable races for tiny tots, crawling or waddling their way to the finish line! Filled with laughter and cheering parents. Get ahead and register now or browse other kiddie contests here!

Arena I –

Watch these small ponies pull! Two ponies make up each team and their combined weight determines if they will compete in the light weight or heavy weight class. Cash prizes are awarded to the top 9 teams.

Click here to register! 

Arena I –

Large draft horse teams compete to see who can pull the heaviest load. This event always draws a large crowd. Cash prizes are awarded to the top 9 teams! The Horse Pull is a traditional Fair favorite.

Register your team!

The speed and agility of barrel racing…on a Stick Horse? This crazy race will have you running your way to victory on a classic Stick Horse! Weave in and out of the barrels faster than your opponent and be crowned the victor! The competition is for ages 2 to 6, and split between two age groups. It is sure to be fun for the whole family. The contestant with the fastest time wins the race…and a prize!

Registration will open 30 minutes before the event starts! Or you can get ahead and register now!

Bring a Pepsi product with you to the gate to receive half off Daily Gate Admission! Be sure to check out our list of participating vendors to see where else you can receive deals!

Join us at the Family Day Festival for non-stop fun! Kids’ activities, football toss, and more under the Festival Tent. Don’t miss out on the excitement! Thank you to our sponsor, Minot State University!

If you are a non-profit and would like to participate, please contact the State Fair office at 701-857-7620.

Location: SRT State Fair Park

Adorable races for tiny tots, crawling or waddling their way to the finish line! Filled with laughter and cheering parents. Get ahead and register now or browse our other kiddie contests here!

The Fair says “Thank You” to military families by providing additional perks during the Fair on Tuesday, July 22nd!  Military members and their families can enjoy a FREE lunch at the 20th Annual Beef Industry Military Appreciation Picnic, sponsored by the ND Beef Commission in partnership with the ND Stockmen’s Association, and ND CattleWomen.   Lunch is from 11am-1pm and is located behind the Commercial II Building on the NE corner of the Fairgrounds.

Bring your Military ID on Tuesday, July 22nd, so you don’t miss out on free carnival rides 1pm to 3pm, half-off Unlimited Ride Wristband ($20 value), and $6 Go-Cart Rides!

Location: By Commercial II

Miniature tractors are weighted and pedaled to victory! The kid in each age division that pulls the most weight is eligible to be in the state sanctioned Tractor Pedal Pull Championship later in the summer. Registration begins at 1:30 out front of the KX Info Center and the Pedal Pull begins at 2:00 PM. Sponsored by Bravera Bank it is the ultimate pedaling competition!

Join the local Co-ops of North Dakota for a pancake and sausage breakfast served from 7:30 am – 9:30 am North of Commercial Building II. Visit with North Dakota co-ops throughout the day and enjoy an ice cream social at 1:30 pm in the afternoon under the Festival tent in the State Fair Park.

Watch youngsters display their talents in junior rodeo events at the NDSF Show-De-O.  This event is sponsored by the ND Equine Association and ND Horse Expo.

There are 4 age divisions and 5 competitions for little buckaroos! Spots fill up quickly and pre-registration is required by July 1, 2025.

Register here!

How long can your little buck-a-roo hold on? Mutton Bustin’ will put little cowboys and girls against some not-so-tough sheep for the ride of their lives! The event will be the pre-show to our popular Ranch Rodeo on both Wednesday and Thursday at 6:30 each night. Pre-registration is required. Register here!

Children ages 9 to 14 chase calves in this exciting competition to collect as many ribbons as they can in 10 minutes! Preregistration is required. Register here!

This is not your typical rodeo! In this annual competition, teams of cowboys and cowgirls will compete against each other in events that display somewhat typical ranch jobs, such as trailer loading, team mugging and even wild cow milking! Registration is due July 1, 2025. Register now!

Fun begins at 7pm!

Come celebrate “Swinging with the Seniors” at the annual Senior Day Festival sponsored by Trinity Health and Pinnacle Employee Benefits. The Festival will include entertainment, vendor booths, and tons of games (including bingo) with prizes to be won. Festivities begin at 10:00 am with cookies, coffee, and a Presentation of Colors. The day will conclude at 3:00 pm with the drawing for the Grand Prize (winner must be present).

Apply for a Senior Day booth here!

Location: Upper Atrium

Think you have what it takes? Come join the 2025 North Dakota State Fair Cornhole Tournament for a chance to win big! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just looking to have some fun, the NDSF Cornhole Tournament is the perfect opportunity to showcase your skills and compete against others for a chance to win a cash prize purse and two tickets to Limp Bizkit!

Please register through the ScoreHolio app. Download ScoreHolio on your mobile device, scan the QR Code below, click on the event (North Dakota State Fair Cornhole Championships 2025) and complete your registration. Registration fees are payable through the app. Pre-registration is mandatory.  Team Fee:  $100/team .

Please review the Rules and Regulations for the 2025 NDSF Cornhole Tournament.

Water, Water everywhere! Join booth exhibitors under the Festival Tent in the State Fair Park from 11am – 4pm on July 24th. Take part in trivia games, prize drawings, and free Frost Fest snow cones from 3pm – 4pm! Sponsored by the ND Water Education Foundation.

How long can your little buck-a-roo hold on? Mutton Bustin’ will put little cowboys and girls against some not-so-tough sheep for the ride of their lives! The event will be the pre-show to our popular Ranch Rodeo on both Wednesday and Thursday at 6:30 each night. Pre-registration is required. Register here!

Children ages 9 to 14 chase calves in this exciting competition to collect as many ribbons as they can in 10 minutes! Preregistration is required. Register here!

This is not your typical rodeo! In this annual competition, teams of cowboys and cowgirls will compete against each other in events that display somewhat typical ranch jobs, such as trailer loading, team mugging and even wild cow milking!  Registration is due July 1, 2025. Register now!

Fun begins at 7pm!

Back for their 10th year, ND One Call will be providing hydrovacing & line locating demonstrations in the SRT State Fair Park. Under the festival tent they will have fun giveaways and lots of educational opportunities. “Call Before You Dig!”

Sponsored by CashWise, children of all ages will be provided a cupcake and frosting to show off their creativity and compete for prizes. Once finished, kids can eat their tasty creations! Get ahead and register now or browse our other kiddie contests here!