OCF

FREE STAGE: COUNTY LINE DRIVE BAND
2025-07-25 18:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Free Stage, 1403 3rd ave se, Rochester, 55904, United States
COUNTRY LIVE DRIVE Band performing at the Free Stage

I.M.P. Motorsports Autocross Day 1
2025-07-25 17:00 - 22:30 | Grandstand, 1403 3rd Ave SE, Rochester, MN, 55904, United States
Time: Doors open at 4:00 pm, show starts at 5:00 pm
Tickets: Will only be available to purchase at the door
Fee: Adults $22
Preteens (Ages 6-12): $15
Children (Ages 5 and under): Free
produced by IMP Demo Derby
Photos by Riggott Photo

Meet the Falcon
2025-07-25 15:00 - 17:00

FREE STAGE: 70's SUNSHINE BAND
2025-07-25 13:00 - 17:00 | Free Stage, 1403 3rd ave se, Rochester, 55904, United States
70’s Sunshine Band performing at the Free Stage

CONSERVATION BUILDING: Free Nitrate Testing
2025-07-25 12:00 - 15:00, 2025-07-24 14:00 - 18:30 | Conservation Building, 1403 3rd ave se, Rochester, 55904, United States
The Olmsted Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS) are providing free water testing at the Olmsted County Fair for households that rely on private systems for their drinking water. The testing will take place at Graham Park in the Conservation Building.
Water testing event details

Date/Time:

Thursday, July 24, 2025, from 2 to 6:30 p.m.
Friday, July 25, 2025, from noon to 3 p.m.

Location: Graham Park, 35 Fairgrounds Avenue SE, Rochester, in the Conservation Building.

To participate, collect a half cup (4oz) of water from your well in a clean plastic bag or glass container and bring it to the Olmsted County Fair. Your sample will be analyzed while you wait. SWCD and OCPHS staff will provide results to you within 15 minutes.
Staff will be available to answer questions and recommend solutions if water samples show elevated nitrate levels.
What is nitrate?
Nitrate is a compound that naturally forms when nitrogen combines with oxygen or ozone. While nitrogen is essential for all living things, high nitrate levels (10mg/L) in drinking water could pose harmful health risks, especially to infants and pregnant women.
Nitrates can occur naturally in surface and groundwater without causing health problems. However, high nitrate levels in well water often result from improper well construction and location. Improper disposal of human and animal waste or the overuse of chemical fertilizers can further increase nitrate levels. Sources of nitrate that can enter your well include fertilizers, septic systems, animal feedlots, industrial waste, and food processing waste. After flooding, wells could become more vulnerable to contamination, especially if the wells are shallow, poorly constructed, dug or bored, or submerged by floodwater for long periods.

Olmsted County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers: Protect and Attract Pollinators
2025-07-25 11:00 - 19:00 | Master Gardeners Booth
What are pollinators?
Why are pollinators important?
Where do pollinators live? Create homes for pollinators
Pollinator-friendly garden ideas
Kids Activity:
Birdseed/peanut butter bird feeders, coloring, crafts!

Stick Frame Weaving - Learn how to weave a wall hanging on a stick frame loom
2025-07-25 11:00 - 17:00
Learn how to weave a wall hanging on a stick frame loom.
See the wall hanging made by fair goers in 2024.
Time: 11am-5pm
Location: Horticulture / Domestics Arts Building

Bucking Wild Big Hat Rodeo Day #2
2025-07-24 19:00 - 22:30
This is for Day #2 on Thursday, July 24th.
Time: Doors open at 6pm and show starts at 7:00 pm
Tickets: BUY Tickets Online. Information below.
Fee: Adults $22
Preteens (Ages 6-12): $15
Children (Ages 5 and under): Free

FREE STAGE: RHINO THE BAND
2025-07-24 18:30 - 22:30 | Free Stage, 1403 3rd ave se, Rochester, 55904, United States
RHINO the Band performing at the Free Stage

FREE STAGE: Jeff James
2025-07-24 13:00 - 17:00 | Free Stage, 1403 3rd ave se, Rochester, 55904, United States
Jeff James performing at the free stage

Olmsted County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers: What's wrong with my plant? Protect plants from pests and diseases
2025-07-24 11:00 - 19:00 | Master Gardeners Booth
Common plant pests/diseases
Identify the culprits: How to recognize signs/symptoms
Preventing pest/disease problems
Treatments
Kids Activity:
Crafts, coloring, composting!

Knitting Day - Like to Knit?
2025-07-24 11:00 - 17:00
Take a break from walking the fair and come knit. Bring your yarn and needles. Arm, finger and loom knitter’s welcome, too. Supplies available to try it out.
Time: 11am-5pm
Location: Horticulture / Domestics Arts Building

Bucking Wild Big Hat Rodeo Day #1
2025-07-23 19:00 - 22:30
This is for Day #1 on Wednesday, July 23rd.
Time: Doors open at 6pm and show starts at 7:00 pm
Tickets: BUY Tickets Online. Information below.
Fee: Adults $22
Preteens (Ages 6-12): $15
Children (Ages 5 and under): Free

FREE STAGE: LP & 45's Band
2025-07-23 18:00 - 22:00 | Free Stage, 1403 3rd ave se, Rochester, 55904, United States
LP & 45’s band performing at the Free Stage

Blow up House Bounce Fun
2025-07-23 17:00 - 19:00
Info TBA

Kids Pedal Tractor Pull
2025-07-23 17:00 - 18:00 | Aune Hall/4H Building, 1508 Aune Dr SE, Rochester, MN, 55904, United States
Will be happening Thursday, July 25th in front of Aune Hall/4H building at 5pm. Sign up the day of the event.

FREE STAGE: The Tom and Kelly Show
2025-07-23 16:00 - 17:00 | Free Stage, 1403 3rd ave se, Rochester, 55904, United States
Enjoy Tom and Kelly’s educational gardening games and fun on the Free Stage. As University of Minnesota Extension Olmsted County Master Gardener Volunteers they enjoy being silly with their educational outreach about our local projects and topics covering Master Gardener Priorities of Horticulture Skills, Local Food, Climate Responsiveness, Nearby Nature, Clean Water, Pollinator Health and Plant Biodiversity. This year we ask “Where are we Going?”

Olmsted County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers: Build Your Best Garden: Pick the Right Plant
2025-07-23 11:00 - 19:00 | Master Gardeners Booth
What plants best for location/climate?
Sun or shade?
What size?
How best to use my space? Containers, raised beds etc.
What type of soil?
What/when should I plant?
How make garden more sustainable?
Kids Activity:
Egg carton greenhouses, coloring and crafts!

Quilt Sew-ciety - Learn about quilting
2025-07-23 11:00 - 17:00
Learn about Quilting
Time: 11am-5pm
Location: Horticulture / Domestics Arts Building

STEM DAY
2025-07-23 11:00 - 16:00
Join us for engaging, hands-on STEM experiences for young people and their
families, nurturing their curiosity and helping them envision themselves in STEM
fields. Our hands-on activities are designed to create a ripple effect, encouraging
continued exploration of STEM subjects, activities, and future careers.
HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES
CAREER EXPLORATION
RESOURCES
FREE
LOCATION: Conservation Building
Contact: Sarah Ness sness@ssc.coop

FREE STAGE: Street Talk Band
2025-07-22 18:00 - 22:00 | Free Stage, 1403 3rd ave se, Rochester, 55904, United States
Performing at the free stage

HORTICULTURE BUILDING: Pollinator Power!
2024-07-28 | Horticulture Building
Pollinator Power! Info on the importance of pollinators and how to create a pollinator-friendly yard/garden. Kids get to make any of the free projects we still have from earlier in the week.

Olmsted County Sheriff's Office K9 demonstration
2024-07-25 17:00 - 18:30 | Aune Hall/4H Building, 1508 Aune Dr SE, Rochester, MN, 55904, United States
The Sheriff’s Office is planning the k9 demos from 5pm to 5:30pm in front of Aune Hall / 4H Building.

Blacksmith Shop Demonstration
2024-07-25 16:00 - 20:00
The blacksmith shot is having demonstrations on Thursday 4-8pm, Friday 4-8pm and Saturday 2-6pm. The building is located behind the free stage next to the conservation building.

Lake Superior Helicopter Rides
2024-07-22 11:00 - 22:00
10 Mile Ride: $119/per person
5 Mile Ride: $79/per peson
2 Mile Ride: $45/perperson
Adrenaline Upgrade (doors off): $20 extra
All ages can ride and they accept credit cards

HORTICULTURE BUILDING: Regenerative Gardening
2024-07-27 | Horticulture Building
Regenerative Gardening. How Your Garden Can Make a Difference. Info on how what and how you plant can improve the quality of the land and water around you. Plus info on what regenerative agriculture is in the big picture. Kids get to make free crafts – bird feeders and yarn stick people.

CONSERVATION BUILDING: Free Water Testing
2024-07-25 15:00 - 18:00 | Conservation Building, 1403 3rd ave se, Rochester, 55904, United States
Bring a sample from your well in a clean glass jar. Samples are analyzed in real time and results are available within 15 minutes.
