Steele County Free Fair
Encyclopedia
The Steele County Free Fair in held each year in Owatonna
, the county seat of Steele County, Minnesota
, is the largest free county fair
in the state.
After the start of the Civil War the fair was not held again until 1871. That year it was held on a pasture on Main Street, and until 1917 was held at various locations in the community. In 1883 to 1927 the Minnesota State Fair
was held in town; special trains brought crowds from the rest of the state. (Incorrect -Minnesota State Fair held in Owatonna for two years "1883 & 1884." - according to Steele County Free Fair website (under History.)
By 1927 the fair became a "free fair" with no admission charged.
The 1930's brought auto racing and grandstand stage shows with chorus lines. Horse racing has always been a part of the Steele County Fair.
From annual attendance in the 1920s of 30,000, to over a quarter of a million visitors today, the Steele County Free Fair remains Minnesota's largest county fair, as it has been for over 80 years.
Owatonna, Minnesota
Owatonna is a city in Steele County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 25,599 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Steele County. Owatonna is home to the Steele County Fairgrounds, which hosts the Steele County Free Fair in August....
, the county seat of Steele County, Minnesota
Steele County, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 33,680 people, 12,846 households, and 9,082 families residing in the county. The population density was 78 people per square mile . There were 13,306 housing units at an average density of 31 per square mile...
, is the largest free county fair
Fair
A fair or fayre is a gathering of people to display or trade produce or other goods, to parade or display animals and often to enjoy associated carnival or funfair entertainment. It is normally of the essence of a fair that it is temporary; some last only an afternoon while others may ten weeks. ...
in the state.
History
The first fair in Steele County was held on October 17, 1860. Premiums were awarded in categories such as "best 6 yoke of working oxen", "best butter churn", and "best wagon made in county".After the start of the Civil War the fair was not held again until 1871. That year it was held on a pasture on Main Street, and until 1917 was held at various locations in the community. In 1883 to 1927 the Minnesota State Fair
Minnesota State Fair
The Minnesota State Fair is the state fair of the U.S. state of Minnesota. Its slogan is "The Great Minnesota Get-Together." It is the 2nd largest fair in the United States, and the largest state fair in the United States in terms of average daily attendance, though the State Fair of Texas runs...
was held in town; special trains brought crowds from the rest of the state. (Incorrect -Minnesota State Fair held in Owatonna for two years "1883 & 1884." - according to Steele County Free Fair website (under History.)
By 1927 the fair became a "free fair" with no admission charged.
The 1930's brought auto racing and grandstand stage shows with chorus lines. Horse racing has always been a part of the Steele County Fair.
The modern fair
The fair remains a free fair, and free stages added by 1979 provide variety, talent, and two dozen bands performing in genres such as old-time, rock, dixieland, and gospel music. The fair remains focused on agriculture; about 2000 animals are shown each year, and the fastest growing show is horses. Vendors came from 25 states in 2006; they staffed 500 booths, including 100 food stands.From annual attendance in the 1920s of 30,000, to over a quarter of a million visitors today, the Steele County Free Fair remains Minnesota's largest county fair, as it has been for over 80 years.