Ribbon Cutting 2009

The 2009 North Dakota State Fair officialiy began tonight with our annual Ribbon Cutting ceremony. The ceremony took place on the Fair grounds in front of an oil rig donated by Egale Well Services. They generously brought the rig in order for the people of North Dakota to become more educated about the booming oil industry. Bob Wagner, State Fair Manager, did introductions as Feddie the Flickertail stood close by for support. Stop by the state fair this week and see an oil rig up close and personnel, located in Machinery Row.

Odor-Eaters Rotten Sneaker Contest

These judges are ready to sniff some stinky sneakers. The gift bags for all the contestants were filled this morning with Odor Eater goodies to help those feet stay nice and freash. If you have stinky sneakers and are between the ages of 5-15 years old come on down to the ND State Fair Saturday, August 1st. The contest will be held on the JukeBox Junkie stage at 4pm. The winner wins a free trip to VT and $200!!

Umbrellas Galore

As everyone was setting up their booth in the food court, we stopped to admire the brand new NDSF umbrellas. These umbrellas should help to provide extra shade for our Fair-goers and make eating at the food court a superior experience. Not to mention provide the Fair with a little extra flare.

First Lady's Pie Contest

Don't forget to make your pie for the 1st Annual First Lady's Pie Contest! 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners receive this one of a kind pie server along with a cash prize! Bring your favorite dessert pie to the lower atrium of the State Fair Center Saturday July, 25th starting 12:00 pm; judging by First Lady Mikey Hoeven will start at 2:00 pm. See you there!

1st Place: $300 2nd Place: $200 3rd Place: $100

- Any type of dessert pie is acceptable

- All participants must pay gate admission

- You can enter more than one of your favorite pies

For more information please contact the State Fair Office at (701) 857-7620

KMOT Party at Bootleggers

KMOT will be hosting a party at Bootleggers on Thursday, July 23rd at 6pm. Join this pre-Fair party and you will have a chance to win a prize package for Dierks Bentley. The package will include gate admission, tickets to the concert on July 31st, and backstage passes! Bootleggers will also have drink specials for all who attend.

Concerts, Here They Come!

Motley Crew, Taylor Swift, Dierks Bentley... they're on their way! The concerts are becoming a reality today as the Grandstand stage starts to take shape. In just two short weeks the Fair begins, so our grounds crew are working overtime to get everything set up just right. Stay tuned for more updates about all the exciting set up on the Fair grounds these next two weeks.

Window Fair

You be the Judge! This year had a competition amongst the Downtown businesses in Minot to create the best Fair themed window display. We provided the poster and the rest was up to them! Go to our Facebook page and tell us which one you think is best for the People's Choice Award!!

Ag Forum

Join us Monday, July 27 at 10:30am on Stage 2 for the NDSF Ag. Forum sponsored by Bayer Crop Science. Agriculture associations and government agency representatives will be ready to answer your agriculture questions. For more information please contact the State Fair office at 857-7620.

Heartland Poker Tournament

Getting in on the free Texas Hold’em tournaments held daily at the Fair just might land you a trip to Las Vegas! The annual Hold'em Tournament will serve as a stop on the Heartland Poker Tour. There is no buy in and up to 100 people play daily to get to one of two finals, July 28th or August 1st. This tournament is a qualifier for state and regional Heartland Poker Tour tournaments. Daily prizes and concert tickets will be awarded. The grand prize of this year’s tournament is a 3 day two night trip to Vegas. Players must register by 12:45pm daily in the Flickertail Gardens. The competition is sponsored by The Vegas Motel, Sevens Restaurant, and Four Bears Casino and Lodge.

Marketplace for Kids

Marketplace for Kids is coming to the State Fair! The Bright Ideas Showcase and Contest will take place in the State Fair Center Wednesday, July 29th from 8am to 2pm. Marketplace for Kids is a unique educational program offering encouragement for developing young entrepreneurs. It provides young people with a forum to present and explain their projects which are demonstrating entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity. For more information visit http://www.MarketplaceForKids.org

Activities for the Kids!

The Fair is the perfect stop for families with kids of all ages. We have dedicated an entire area just for kids. Kid's Kingdom includes a petting zoo, giant sand box, kiddie rides, camel rides, and clowns keep children entertained throughout the Fair. The area is packed with several fun and free activities to participate in, however tickets are required for kiddie carnival rides and live animal rides. Kid's Kingdom, located on Stage 1, is sponsored by Trinity Health and is open from 11am -9 pm.

Hedrick's Petting Zoo, located in Kid’s Kingdom, is a place the whole family will enjoy. The zoo provides an exciting experience to meet and greet a variety of animals at the State Fair. Animals range from exotics like kangaroos, camels and zebras, to more domesticated creatures like llamas, donkeys and goats. Hedrick’s Petting Zoo is sponsored by Trinity Health, the zoo is free and is open daily from 11am - 9pm.

Kid's Clubhouse is another area at the Fair dedicated to kids. This air-conditioned clubhouse features activities, games, coloring and an indoor playland. The Kids Clubhouse also has a Comfort Zone, which provides parents a family friendly place for feeding and changing infants. Kids Clubhouse is open every day 11am - 8pm and is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota.

With so many options for children, we hope your family will take advantage of everything the Fair has to offer. To find other events, contest, and family entertainment visit our website at www.ndstatefair.com.

Clown Contest

Are you ready to clown around at the North Dakota State Fair? Any clown or organization is welcome to participate in the Parade Contest, Make-Up Contest, Skit Contest, Balloon Contest, or all four! The contest takes place at 2pm, registration is July 25th at the Jukebox Junkie Stage. For more information call Dizzy the Clown at 701-721-8434 or 701-852-5696.

Make a Pit Stop at Cenex

What a Ride! The North Dakota State Fair has something for everyone-great food, great fun, and great concerts at the Cenex Grandstand.

Now you can register to win Cenex Grandstand tickets at your nearby Cenex location. They are giving away tickets for Motley Crue, Taylor Swift, Dierks Bentley- and more! Plus, they have discounted ride tickets for the kids, while supplies last.

So plan a day at the North Dakota State Fair this year… and plan a pit stop at Cenex along the way. They have the snacks and fuel you need for the trip- and you could win tickets to a great Cenex Grandstand concert too. Valid at participating locations only.

More Ways to Win!

Fans of the Fair have been winning tickets left and right on the North Dakota State Fair’s social networking sites, but now there are even more opportunities to win your way to Fair events. Media of all kind will be giving away tickets in a town near you. Radio stations, TV stations, Cenex locations, and local newspapers across the state are doing North Dakota State Fair ticket giveaways.

Keep your ears open and your eyes peeled for these great opportunites. Cities with participating radio stations include Bismarck, Devils Lake, Dickinson, Fargo, Grand Forks, Hettinger, Jamestown, Langdon, Minot, Rugby, and Williston. Newspapers participating include Dickinson, Bottineau, Bowbells, Devils Lake, Ellendale, Minot, Mohall, Mandan, New Rockford, Belcourt, Williston, and Fordville.

Contact your local media for more details on how to win tickets to the North Dakota State Fair!

Got talent? The North Dakota State Fair wants you to showcase your gifts. The Fair has dedicated an entire stage to North Dakota talent where locals can perform for free. The stage is featured in the SRT State Fair Park and is home to dancers, martial artists, singers, and more. Catch local talent everyday at the Fair from 11:30am to 7:00pm daily.

Interested in performing at the Fair? It’s not too late! Go to our website to download an application or call (701) 857-7620 for more information. Schedules will be finalized after July 1st.